We are the West Coast’s premier festival dedicated to showcasing fresh and innovative filmmaking, screening everything from festival favorites like Damsel (starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska), to world premieres like Netflix favorite Abducted in Plain Sight.

We are so committed to our filmmakers we made sure to hold the 2021 and 2022 festival live in person and kept everyone safe by following all Covid common event practices at all indoor screenings at the festival and as a result, it was a huge success.

We are committed to discovering and supporting emerging filmmakers. There’s a reason MovieMaker magazine has named Mammoth Lakes Film Festival as one of the “Top 50 Film Festival’s Worth Your Entry Fee” for the last seven years in a row: We put our filmmakers first!

We always secure top-level press to attend the festival in order to get exposure for our filmmakers. Attending press and industry professionals included Variety, The Wrap, Indiewire, MovieMaker Magazine, Hollywood Reporter and more.

The 9th annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, takes place over the five days leading up to Memorial Day weekend, May 24-28, 2023.

MLFF captures the imagination of audiences and contributes to the vitality of film culture by providing emerging filmmakers with an opportunity to show their latest work in a vibrant and nurturing atmosphere. Visitors are drawn to the area to experience exciting new films by both new and established independent artists, and for the opportunity to mingle with them at fun and friendly daily events. The festival is also a forum for filmmakers to have their work seen by industry professionals who have the potential to provide mentorship and propel their careers.

We are committed to promoting film as an art form by focusing on personal, innovative, imaginative films by writers and directors with a unique style and point of view. We present these films in the beautiful natural setting of Mammoth Lakes—a perfect backdrop for an independent film festival and a premier tourist destination in its own right. Because we are a destination resort, just a 4 to 5-hour drive or a quick flight from Los Angeles, we have strong allies within the entertainment industry. Our jury members are acclaimed artists and professionals from the world of independent film. We give out multiple awards in the categories of Narrative Features, Documentary Features, and Short Films. In 2021, during the pandemic, we were able to hold our festival in-person with a hybrid version of incorporating a virtual element for our international filmmakers to still engage with us. We award cash and prizes valued at more than $40,000.00. We provide travel stipends, housing, and festival passes for our filmmakers. Our juries have included Andrew Lazar (Producer of AMERICAN SNIPER), Allison Amon (Producer of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES), Rachel Winter (Academy Award winning producer of DALLAS BUYERS CLUB), and John Fiedler (Producer of SERIAL MOM and PECKER).

The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival is a DBA of the Eastern Sierra Arts Alliance and is a 501(c)3.

MAMMOTH LAKES FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Screenplay Competition is dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging, innovative screenwriters. We welcome screenplays in every genre, on any topic, from anywhere in the world. We are looking for stories from writers that have a unique voice and a specific point of view. Every submission will receive 3-5 lines of feedback. You can request detailed feedback of 4-5 pages of feedback for an additional fee. MLFF will present the Grand Prize for the best screenplay at the 2023 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, May 28th, 2023.

We look forward to reading your work!

The top 10 screenplays will be offered passes, housing and travel stipends to attend the festival and network with attending press, industry, distributors and filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

Cash prizes from $500.00 to $1,000.00 will be awarded. We will also provide travel stipends, housing, and festival passes for our filmmakers and the top 10 screenplays. We award camera packages and more to our winners. Over $40,000.00 in cash and prizes are awarded.

Awards & Prizes for the Screenplay Competition
The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash award $1,000.

Rules & Terms

Films must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2022.

Films may have screened in other festivals but we do not accept films with past theatrical distribution or that have been broadcast (televised) anywhere in the U.S. before May 28th, 2023.

Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway online screener.

No Fee Waivers are available.

Entry fees are non refundable.

No commercials.

We do consider works in progress but your film needs to be close to completion and if selected it must be completed before March 31, 2022.

Do not send a press kit until your film has been selected.

All non-English language films must have legible English subtitles.

All multiple submissions must have separate forms and appropriate fees.

The selection committee's decisions are final.

If your film is selected, your screening print and one backup must arrive by May 1, 2022.

If your film is selected, you must provide two high-resolution screen shots, a secure online link for press by April 20, 2022. You will also be asked to provide press materials and a trailer for the website.

All filmmakers under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian submit on their behalf.
Filmmakers must be authorized to submit their films to the 2022 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival (MLFF) and are responsible for the accuracy of all information provided on the application form.

The MLFF may use images, sounds and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes in all media including the MLFF website and may present accepted films at the 2022 MLFF.

You indicate that you have read and understand the MLFF entry guidelines and rules and regulations and that you agree to the MLFF Terms and Conditions. Furthermore, you indicate that you shall indemnify and hold harmless the MLFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

RULES FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

By entering Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Screenplay Competition, you agree to follow its rules and guidelines.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

- Scripts submitted to the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry.

- If a submitted screenplay is optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the judging period, the applicant must notify us and that screenplay will no longer be eligible for an award.

- Screenwriters that are members of the DGA and are professional writers are ineligible.

- If your screenplay is an adaptation you must provide the MLFF with the rights to the original work that you are adapting, unless it is in the public domain.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

- All scripts must be in PDF format.

- Screenplays must be in English, formatted according to current industry standards in 12-point courier font.

- Screenplays must have a clean cover page. This means the title only on the cover, no author’s name/contact information.

- If the script is based on a true story, that should be noted on the title page.

- No substituted pages or other revisions will be accepted once you have submitted your script. New versions of scripts can be resubmitted by filling out a new entry form and paying a new entry fee. All entries must be uploaded by the appropriate deadline.

- No refunds.

JUDGING FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

- All notifications will be sent by the notification date on FilmFreeway.

- If the screenplay has multiple writers, all writers are hosted at the festival but the grand prize of $1,000.00 would be split amongst the writers

- Feedback will include 3-5 lines unless screenwriter has opted for the more extensive coverage package for the additional fee.

- All decisions are final.

PROTECT YOUR WORK

MLFF is not responsible in any way for your script or concept and we strongly suggest you register your work with the Writers Guild of America, West (www.wga.org or call 323.782.4500) and the US Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov).

FEEDBACK FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

All submitted screenplays will receive a short paragraph of coverage that will let you know what we think the strengths and weaknesses of the script are. This is only a baseline to help you know what is generally missing to help you with moving forward with rewrites. It is not the full coverage that is included in the extensive

54 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alex Blumberg

    I can't express enough gratitude to Shira, Paul, Lesley, and the rest of the amazing MLFF team for putting on such a fantastic and intimate festival. I really appreciate how the festival organizers value and champion emerging filmmakers and writers from all over the world. The programming slate was diverse and thought-provoking, and I truly enjoyed meeting so many talented and interesting filmmakers, screenwriters, journalists, and cinephiles. As a screenwriter myself, I especially appreciated the personal phone call from Paul to discuss my script after it had been selected for competition. That was such a thoughtful gesture and really speaks volumes to the sincerity and care that MLFF puts into each and every selection of films and scripts. I can't wait to submit my newest script to next year's festival! Thank you again to everyone involved for all your hard work of putting on an in-person film festival in 2021 - your efforts are truly appreciated. I cannot recommend MLFF highly enough!

    December 2021
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  • Jacqueline Dow

    The amazing team behind Mammoth Lakes goes above and beyond to make the festival great for the filmmakers! While I didn't get to attend this year, the communication was top notch in the lead up to the fest and I was so honored to have my web series play at such a cool festival run by people who truly love film. Highly recommend!

    October 2021
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  • John Clayton Doyle

    This festival was a major highlight of our run thus far. The staff are warm, engaged and genuinely passionate about film and supporting filmmakers. It was joyful to be surrounded by so many talented filmmakers, and the Mammoth Lakes team really went the extra mile to bring us together with nightly events and activities. Great festival!

    October 2021
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  • Grace Sloan

    What a sweet beautiful time in Mammoth Lakes, I'm so glad this festival managed to be in person. Tons of filmmakers in attendance, great programming and Q&As, lots of fun events, and hot springs. Real sense of community. Can't ask for much more than that. Staff is organized, communicative, and so very very nice !!

    October 2021
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  • Vincent Grashaw

    In a time when us filmmakers are hoping to still showcase our work to an audience in a full theater, Mammoth delivered and then some. A very intimate festival packed with events and a good time in a lovely, beautiful small town community. I grew up coming here and loved having a film I've done play in the theaters I used to see movies in. Thank you to the staff and everyone involved.

    October 2021
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