A Curated Theatrical Experience in Jacksonville, Florida

"An acclaimed actor, writer, and filmmaker has been confirmed as the inaugural featured guest for REEL FEAR, with the official announcement arriving Summer 2026."

Reel Seasons Series:
Reel Fear (October) – Horror, Thriller, Dark Genre
Reel Pulse (November) – Indie, Drama, Character-Driven
Reel Wonder (December) – Black Cinema, Holiday, Fantasy

Official selections will screen inside a historic theatre setting in Jacksonville, Florida.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:
Lumina Film Festival is a seasonal theatrical showcase designed to present independent films in a focused, high-impact cinema environment.

Official selections will screen inside a historic 400-seat theatre setting in Jacksonville, Florida before engaged live audiences, with curated programming and a filmmaker-focused presentation.

Each season is built around a distinct identity—ensuring your film is placed in the right context, with the right audience.

WHY SUBMIT TO LUMINA:
Theatrical screenings – Your film is experienced on the big screen
Curated programming – No overcrowded blocks or filler selections
Audience engagement – Live viewers, real reactions
Seasonal positioning – Your film fits a theme that enhances impact
Filmmaker visibility – Focused attention, not lost in volume

CATEGORIES:
Reel Fear (October)
Horror, Thriller, Dark Genre, Psychological, Experimental Horror

Reel Pulse (November)
Drama, Indie, Character-Driven, Narrative Shorts & Features

Reel Wonder (December)
Black Cinema, Prestige, Holiday, Animated & Fantasy

Deadlines are strictly enforced. Early submission is strongly encouraged.

EVENT FORMAT
2-day seasonal events
2–3 curated screening blocks per day
Select screenings may include filmmaker Q&A

PROGRAMMING
Two days.
Themed shorts blocks.
A guest of honor.
An award.

Reel Fear programs psychological, atmospheric, supernatural, body, slasher, and folk horror across curated blocks — a feature anchor, shorts, and microshorts in each session. Saturday includes a moderated featured-guest Q&A, the Lumina Excellence in Cinema Award presentation, and a costume contest open to all attendees.

-Curated short films at a target twenty-minute run time
-Micro-shorts (under 10 min), shorts (10–39 min), features (40 min+)
-Themed blocks distributed across two programming days
-Moderated 45-minute featured-guest Q&A on Saturday
-One-hour autograph & merchandise lobby time each day
-VIP filmmaker lobby mixer Saturday
-Saturday afternoon: Lumina Excellence in Cinema Award presentation
-Reel Fear Costume Contest with audience prizes

Reel Pulse programs character-driven drama alongside short-form documentary — family, identity, resilience, social realism, and lived truth — across two carefully sequenced blocks each day.

-Curated short films at a target twenty-minute run time
-Themed blocks distributed across two programming days
-Moderated filmmaker Q&A after every block
-Lobby mixer between blocks · doors open early
-Awards presented at the close of the final block

Reel Wonder programs Black cinema, fantasy, magic realism, mythology, and world-build — a chapter that honors Black voices in genre filmmaking alongside the broader language of imagination, closing the inaugural season with the championship awards block.

-Curated short films at a target twenty-minute run time
-Themed blocks distributed across two programming days
-Moderated filmmaker Q&A after every block
-Lobby mixer between blocks · doors open early
-Awards presented at the close of the final block

SCREENING FORMAT:
Digital screening format (details provided upon selection)
Final screening files must meet exhibition standards

Lumina is built as a curated theatrical experience, not a volume-based festival.
We prioritize strong programming, engaged audiences, and meaningful presentation.

SUBMIT NOW:
Be part of a focused seasonal showcase and present your work in a true cinematic environment.

Awards & Prizes

REEL FEAR (OCTOBER – HORROR / THRILLER)

Jury Awards
* Best Horror Feature
* Best Horror Short
* Best Thriller
* Best Director (Horror/Thriller)
* Best Cinematography
* Best Sound Design (critical for horror)
* Best Practical Effects / Makeup
* Best Original Score

Specialty Awards

* Scariest Film
* Most Original Concept
* Midnight Selection Award

Audience

* Audience Choice Award

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NOVEMBER EDITION (DRAMA / INDIE / CHARACTER-DRIVEN)

Jury Awards

* Best Narrative Feature
* Best Narrative Short
* Best Director
* Best Screenplay
* Best Actor
* Best Actress
* Best Ensemble Cast
* Best Cinematography

Specialty Awards

* Breakthrough Filmmaker
* Best First-Time Director
* Best Emotional Impact

Audience

* Audience Choice Award

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DECEMBER EDITION (VISUAL / EXPERIMENTAL / PRESTIGE)

Jury Awards

* Best Feature Film
* Best Short Film
* Best Director
* Best Cinematography
* Best Editing
* Best Production Design
* Best Original Score

Specialty Awards

* Visionary Award
* Most Innovative Film
* Artistic Achievement Award

Audience

* Audience Choice Award

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SEASON-WIDE AWARDS (ACROSS ALL EDITIONS)

* **Best of Lumina (Top Film of 2026 Season)**
* **Filmmaker of the Season**
* **Jury Grand Prize**

**Lumina Reel Seasons Film Festival**
Curated Cinema. Seasonal Experience.

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS:

Welcome to Reel Seasons — a three-chapter residency produced by Lumina Media Group, LLC (“Lumina”). We've kept the rules short so filmmakers can focus on the work. Submitting through FilmFreeway means you accept the terms below.

1. FIRST-YEAR FESTIVAL
Lumina Reel Seasons Film Festival is a curated three edition residency starting with REEL FEAR, our October edition, REEL PULSE, our November edition and REEL WONDER, our December edition. We're putting the same care into our inaugural festival that established festivals put into their tenth — and we ask filmmakers to submit understanding that some procedures may evolve as the festival grows.

2. EDITION FIT
Films must fit one of the three editions to be eligible.
Reel Fear (Oct 23-24) horror — psychological, supernatural, slasher, body, folk, atmospheric.
Reel Pulse (Nov 20-21) character-driven drama, documentaries, stories of the heart.
Reel Wonder (Dec 9-10) The Black Cinematic Experience in fantasy, magic realism, myth and technology.

Length categories are Micro-Shorts (under 10 min), Mid (10–39 min), and Feature (40 min+). Films that don't fit the edition's genre or length category at programming review may be moved to a better-fitting chapter or declined.

3. HOW TO SUBMIT
Films must be submitted via secure online screener via FilmFreeway: ProRes 422 HQ or H.264, 1080p minimum (4K UHD preferred), 23.976 or 24 fps, AAC stereo or 5.1 audio. Non-English dialogue requires subtitles burned-in or as an SRT.

3a) Submission does not guarantee live screening. Lumina Reel Seasons Film Festival is not responsible for screening failures due to file errors, technical issues, or format incompatibilities. No cash value is associated with selection. We are not responsible for, nor do we undertake, the fixing, editing, or adjusting of any submitted files.
3b) Films must not include content likely to induce epileptic seizures. If flashing lights or strobe effects are present, a clear seizure warning must be provided at the beginning of the film.
3c) Premiere status is not required.
3d) By submitting, you grant Lumina the right to screen your film if selected.
3e) FilmFreeway Gold members — 10% off, applied automatically at checkout
Students — 20% already baked in (current student ID required)
Jacksonville filmmakers — 15% off with code (JAXLOCAL15). Must live in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau or Baker County with proof.
One discount per submission. Discounts do not stack. Limited Quantity

4. SELECTION · NO SCREENING GUARANTEE
Selection is at Lumina's sole discretion. Submission and payment of any fee secures review and consideration — not a guaranteed screening. Lumina reserves the right to decline, withdraw, reschedule, or remove any film at any time, and to adjust, postpone, or cancel any edition. Decisions are made with the integrity of the program in mind.
4a) By submitting, you grant Lumina the right to screen your film if selected

5. FEES · NO REFUNDS
All submission fees are non-refundable. After the event, all winners will receive a downloadable PDF of the certificate via email.
Upon selection, the applicant agrees that the film may not be withdrawn from the festival for any reason within thirty (30) days of the event.

6. RIGHTS YOU KEEP · RIGHTS YOU GRANT
You keep full copyright in your film. By submitting, you grant Lumina a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use up to thirty (30) seconds of footage and your key art for festival promotion (social, web, sponsor decks, press, trailers). If selected, you also grant Lumina the right to screen the film at its festival. You confirm that you hold all rights — music, footage, and likeness included.

7. INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Lumina Media Group, LLC and its officers, members, contractors, jurors, partner venues, and affiliates from any claim, damage, or liability — including reasonable attorneys' fees — arising from your film's content, your representations under these terms, or any third-party dispute (music, likeness, talent, distribution). The festival is provided “as-is”; Lumina makes no warranty regarding selection, audience size, or press.
7a) Submitted films must not be subject to any current or pending litigations, nor the threat of litigation.

8. ACCEPTANCE
Submitting your film through FilmFreeway means you've read, understood, and accepted these terms in full.