After months of discussions and soul searching, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2025 edition of Make Believe Seattle. Due to an underperforming 2024, and the unexpected loss of funding, we have been struggling to get everyone paid from that edition, and are still in the process of doing so. With that, it doesn’t feel proper for us to be putting on a new edition of the festival until everyone has been paid. We are in-talks with local cinephiles in Seattle about taking the festival over in 2026, once the festival is in the black, and we look forward to keeping those conversations alive. If you are a filmmaker who submitted to the 2025 festival, you will receive a refund via FilmFreeway before the end of the week. We want to thank everyone who made the first two years of Make Believe so special, and we hope to be able to report later this year that some new, young blood has taken over the festival moving forward.

-Make Believe Seattle

Rules & Terms

1. All submitted films must meet the criteria of a 'genre' film; if it does not, it will not be considered, and the entry fee will not be refunded;
2. By submitting to MBSFF, you are agreeing that, if your film is chosen, you will not receive a screening fee, but may have your travel costs covered;
3. All submitted films must have been completed no earlier than 1/1/2023;
4. If a rough cut is submitted for review and your film is accepted to the festival, you must inform us of any major changes made to the film before an exhibition copy is received;
5. We will require you to submit your film with captions, or work with our festival team to create captions for your film for exhibition.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kyle Hatley

    Easily one of the most important new genre festivals out there! The care, communication, and creativity involved in this festival is first class! The staff was incredible, the programming was impressive, and the experience of a gathering like this was unforgettable! We are so grateful to have been selected and among so many talented artists!

    April 2024
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  • Squidems .

    It was an awesome experience to be part of this fest. I just wish I'd been around to catch more of the screenings!

    April 2024
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  • Beatrice Jäggi

    Unfortunately, the journey was a bit too far to take part in your festival. However, the excellent communication gave me the feeling of being part of the live event. Gladly again!

    April 2024
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  • Jack Dunphy

    GOOD PEOPLE, good movies. Thanks!

    April 2024
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  • Misty Shipman

    This festival is awesome and a lot of fun! Highly collaborative, communicative, and a great value for filmmakers and audience-goers. The world needs more bold, inclusive festivals, and Make Believe is a great start

    April 2024
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