2nd Annual Military & Veteran Short Film Festival

Presented by the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV), producers of the Military & Veteran Entertainment Awards (MV Awards).

We are seeking outstanding short films and podcasts from veteran, active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, military family, and civilian creators whose work explores military service, veteran experiences, resilience, leadership, patriotism, community, and the human spirit.

Selected projects will be showcased before filmmakers, podcasters, industry professionals, veterans, military leaders, and community supporters. This is more than a festival—it's part of a growing national initiative to elevate military and veteran voices in media while redefining the narrative.

Whether your project is documentary, narrative, comedy, animation, or podcasting, we invite you to submit your work and join a community committed to authentic storytelling.

Elevating Veterans in Media. Redefining the Narrative.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

The Military & Veteran Short Film Festival recognizes excellence in storytelling and filmmaking across multiple categories. In addition to category awards, one film will be selected as the festival's highest honor:

Best Overall Film of the Festival

The top project selected from all category winners will receive the Best Overall Film Award and a $750 cash prize.

Festival Recognition

Winners will receive:

• Official winner laurels and digital badges
• Recognition across MV Awards and VetStreamTV platforms
• Social media promotion and spotlight opportunities
• Inclusion in festival press and marketing materials
• Networking opportunities with filmmakers, industry professionals, veterans, and community leaders

VetStreamTV Spotlight Package

Selected winners may be invited to participate in a VetStreamTV Spotlight Package, which may include:

• Featured placement on VetStreamTV
• Social media promotion
• Creator interviews and spotlight features
• Additional exposure opportunities through NEAAMV programming

Future Opportunities

Winning and selected films may be considered for future screenings, showcases, interviews, educational programs, and special events produced by the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV).

Cash Prize

• Best Overall Film of the Festival: $750

Cash prize contingent upon festival completion and subject to applicable laws and regulations. Awards, prizes, and recognition opportunities may be enhanced through sponsor participation.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

The Military & Veteran Short Film Festival welcomes submissions from veteran, active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, military family, and civilian filmmakers.

Veteran and military-connected creators may submit films on any subject matter. The purpose of the festival is to recognize and elevate military and veteran talent in entertainment and media.

Non-Veteran filmmakers are also welcome to submit; however, their projects should relate to military service, veterans, military families, patriotism, leadership, sacrifice, resilience, national service, or other themes aligned with the mission of the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV).

All films must be 30 minutes or less, including credits, and demonstrate excellence in storytelling, creativity, and filmmaking craft.

Submission Format
Video submissions only (MP4 or MOV recommended).
Short films, documentaries, animations, comedies, student films, and other eligible short-form projects are welcome.

Each film must be submitted as a separate entry.
Multiple entries are permitted, provided each submission is accompanied by the applicable entry fee.

Running Time
Films should be a minimum of 3 minutes and generally not exceed 30 minutes, including credits.

Exceptions may be considered at the discretion of the festival.
Eligibility

Films must have been completed within the eligibility period listed for the current festival season.

Veteran, active-duty, National Guard, Reserve, military family, and civilian filmmakers are eligible to submit.

Military affiliation is encouraged but not required for all categories.

Content & Conduct
Submitted works must be appropriate for professional exhibition.
Films containing hateful, discriminatory, or unlawful content may be disqualified at the discretion of NEAAMV.

Entrants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions, releases, and consents from individuals appearing in the film.

Rights & Permissions
By submitting, you represent and warrant that:

You own or control all rights necessary for exhibition and promotion of the submitted work.

The film does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity, or other legal rights.

All music, footage, images, and third-party materials used in the film have been properly licensed or authorized.

Promotional Use Permission (Non-Exclusive)

By entering, you grant the National Entertainment Awards Academy for Military & Veterans (NEAAMV), MV Awards, and VetStreamTV a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use your film title, filmmaker name, poster artwork, still images, trailer, and brief excerpts for promotional purposes related to:

The Military & Veteran Short Film Festival
The Military & Veteran Entertainment Awards (MV Awards)
VetStreamTV
Festival marketing, publicity, and educational initiatives

Promotional excerpts may be used across websites, social media, email campaigns, streaming applications, press materials, and partner channels.

No Full Distribution Without Agreement: Submission does not authorize full-film distribution, streaming, or hosting on VetStreamTV without a separate written agreement.

Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated on a combination of:

Storytelling and narrative strength
Directing and creative vision
Technical execution and production quality
Originality and creativity
Overall impact and audience engagement
Relevance to the festival mission of elevating veterans in media and redefining the narrative
Disqualification

NEAAMV reserves the right to disqualify entries that:

Do not meet eligibility requirements
Violate rights or permissions requirements
Contain fraudulent or misleading information
Fail to comply with these Rules & Terms

All decisions of the festival and judges are final.