The little Film Festival that could is back: The Made in Arkansas Film Festival will hold our 5th annual event at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater from May 4-6, 2023!

MIAFF is dedicated to supporting Arkansas film and filmmakers. We're looking for films from all over the state, in any genre. Whether you've made a comedy, a drama, a horror film, an animated film, a music video, or an experimental film, you name it: We want to see it! We accept short films, feature films, and micro-shorts (1-5 mins. in length).

If you're an Arkansas filmmaker, we'd be proud to have you submit your film. We also accept films by "Arkansans abroad": if you're from here, or were educated here, or your mama lives here, you may submit as an Arkansas Connection. And if you're a filmmaker from a neighboring state (TN, MO, MS, LA, TX, OK), we welcome your film as a Regional Submission.

Awards will include Best Arkansas-Made Film (short or feature), Best Microshort, Best Student Film, Best Regional Submission, Audience Favorite, and Best of Fest.

Submissions open on September 1. We can't wait to see what you've been working on - and we REALLY can't wait to see you in person in May!

Awards & Prizes

Best Arkansas-Made Short Film
Best Arkansas-Made Student Film
Best Arkansas-Made Feature Film
Audience Favorite
Best Regional Film (Non-Arkansas)
Best Micro-Short (1-5 Min)
Best of Fest

**A film cannot win in more than one category.

Rules & Terms

LENGTH OF FILM: Short films: 6-30 minutes in length. Feature films: 45/90min. in length. Micro-shorts: 1-5 minutes in length.

PREMIERE STATUS: By submitting your film to MIAFF, you attest that your film is not published for viewing online, either through your own platforms or by any streaming service. Any submitted films that are published online following submission will be disqualified. We will check all links to make sure they are hidden.

For the 2023 Festival, we will accept films that were completed on or after May of 2018. While newer films may be given priority, ALL submitted films will be given serious consideration. Please note that a newer film will not be given consideration over an older film based on age alone.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Only digital online screener submissions will be accepted using FilmFreeway's digital submission process (Vimeo, FilmFreeway, Google Drive, or a Dropbox link). PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL LINKS TO YOUR FILM. Only screeners with links in FilmFreeway will be considered.

You may submit more than one film. Each submission must be accompanied by its own entry form and entry fee.

Films may have distribution.

All films selected for screening will require an H264 (MPEG/4) file.

All submissions are final. No refunds will be given.

Notification of selection for screening at the Made in Arkansas Film Festival will be made approximately 2-4 weeks prior to the screening date.

SELECTED FILMS: All films selected for screening will be required to have the following on their film's FilmFreeway submission: one still from the film; a short description (1-2 sentences) of the film, and a trailer if available. These items will be sourced through the FilmFreeway film pages. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL THESE MATERIALS. If you have not supplied these materials with your submission, you will need to upload them upon acceptance of your film to the festival.

COPYRIGHTS: It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to obtain all necessary copyrights. By submitting the film, you maintain that you have obtained all necessary rights for public exhibition.

LICENSE: Upon submitting their film, the Entrant grants Made in Arkansas a non-exclusive, royalty-free license for use for screening virtually or before a live audience, and to publish excerpts in print or electronic media to promote the event in any and all media. The filmmaker must secure all rights and clearances.

20 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Zach Keast

    One of the best festivals in South. Honored to have had our film be a part of it. Kerri and Johnnie are a two person army that have accomplished more with this festival than others with an entire staff. Can't wait to submit again in the future.

    Jordan Mears (Director of "New West")

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Tom Procida

    I wasn't able to attend but the communication was excellent.

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Mike Stutz

    Made in Arkansas Film Festival celebrates filmmaking and promotes Arkansas films as well or better than any festival in the state. While still growing, the dedication of its organizers and staff is admirable. They genuinely want everyone to have a great time and that rubs off on the folks in attendance. They also put a strong emphasis on young filmmakers and audiences who may be new to the indie film scene which is incredibly important. Their communication was excellent and they were very helpful from beginning to end. I look forward to seeing how they grow in the future and to having more films in the festival in years to come. Fantastic job!

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Kat Silva

    Great festival. I met so many wonderful people. Hats off to the festival organizers who were warm and gracious.

    May 2022
    Helpful
  • Al Topich

    Best Festival in the state of Arkansas.

    May 2022
    Helpful