The Madison Film Festival will be taking place at the Bartell Theatre, located in the heart of Madison’s downtown, on August 25, 2024. This festival will provide filmmakers and movie lovers alike with an opportunity to connect, inspire, and grow through a remarkably artistic showcase.

Madison, Wisconsin is a city that embodies the importance of a culture being an integral part of an individual’s identity. Madison represents the essence of a family: support, love, passion, kindness, and generosity. In this energetic city, residents are located within the parameters of five lakes, a capital building, sporting arenas, vibrant streets, and academic institutions. Through the array of creative souls dispersed throughout the city of Madison, Wisconsin and across the world, we aim to bring people together for a memorable and historic evening.

Through multiple generations, film as a medium has had a unique ability in bringing people together as a unit to encourage change as well as demonstrating the extraordinary possibilities for humanity when we act with our purest and kindest intentions.

By promoting film culture in Madison, Wisconsin, we believe that people will be able to discover sides of themselves that they never knew existed which will enable them to make greater and more positive impacts on society. Ultimately, this will give people a chance to obtain a platform where they can safely and comfortably express themselves and their visions. Also, by bringing film to Madison, Wisconsin people from different regions can converse with each other to further comprehend how there are various ways of living life: whether your desires draw you towards a faster paced and larger city or a more simple paced and rural area, both types of people can find fulfillment and discover commonalities to develop lifelong relationships.

Grand Jury Prize – $1,000
Best Narrative Short Film – $500
Best Narrative Feature Film – $500
Best Short Documentary Film – $500
Best Feature Documentary Film – $500
Best Student Film – $250
Best Screenplay – $250
Best Animation – $250
Best Music Video – $250
Best Wisconsin Film - $250
Best Poster – $100

All winners will also receive a free Seed&Spark crowdfunding consultation. The winner of the student category is welcomed to become a judge for the following year.

FILM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles (if in a different language).

All films must have been made on or after December 1st, 2022.

Short films must not exceed 40 minutes and feature films must exceed 40 minutes; all other categories have no limitations.

Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out the copyright on their own materials.

By submitting to us, you give us the consent and right to screen your film in front of a live audience, and, under special circumstances, online screening.

All entries must be submitted online via FilmFreeway. Entry fees are not refundable.

JUDGING

Official Selections: These are films that have been selected to participate in our festival. There is no guarantee your film will be screened if given an official selection. Films to be screened will be curated by our judges and program directors and will range from official selections to award winners. Official selection films are considered to be nominated for an award, and will be notified via email.

Nominations: These are all the films that have been nominated for an award in a category. Not all nominated films will be screened.

Official selections, nominations, and winners will be contacted via email on August 5th, 2024.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Vikrant Nallaparaju

    For a festival in its inaugural year, I would have no idea based on my experience working with the team that runs it! They were quick to respond to any questions or issues that came up with getting my film festival ready and showed a great attitude throughout.

    Looking forward to submitting here again in the future!

    September 2023
  • Very strong first year and excellent communication from the team! Looking forward to submitting again in the future.

    September 2023
  • Great festival with great people. Thank you for selecting TALK as the nominee for best music video! I can tell the founders and staffs put their heart and soul into this festival. Can’t wait for next year!

    September 2023
  • Pablo Pagán

    Such a fresh and fun festival. Thank you to Jared and its team for getting Voyager into the in-person screening line-up, such an amazing opportunity! Can't wait to be a part of the next iterations of the festival.

    September 2023
  • Chris Voth

    Thanks so much for admitting "Camino Unreal" and giving us the award for Best Poster. Appreciate the love and we'll be supporting this festival going forward.

    August 2023