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 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 five years in a row: We put our filmmakers first!

In 2020, during the pandemic, we held our festival virtually but were still able to draw top-level press to the festival in order to get exposure for our filmmakers. Attending press and industry professionals included Variety, The Wrap, Indiewire, MovieMaker Magazine and more.

Due to the pandemic, our 7th annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, which usually takes place over the five days leading up to Memorial Day weekend, will be moved to September 22-26. We will do our best to hold it as a live, in-person event.

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 2020, during the pandemic, we held our festival virtually and still awarded 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). 2019 sponsors included Panavision, Light Iron, VER, Blue Moon, among many others.

The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival is a DBA and 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 2021 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, Sept 26th, 2021.

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 were awarded in 2020.

Awards & Prizes for the Screenplay Competition
The Grand Prize winner will receive $1,000 in cash and an opportunity to pitch their screenplay to Ari Costa SVP of Production at AGBO Films.

Rules & Terms

Films must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2019.

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 31st, 2021.

Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway online screener.

No Fee Waivers are available.

Entry fees are non refundable.

No commercials.

If you choose to send us a DVD screener it must be labeled with the title, running time, your email address, and your phone number. Please place your FilmFreeway# on the Screener.

We do consider works in progress but your film needs to be close to completion and if selected it must be completed before August 15, 2021.

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 Sept. 1, 2021.

If your film is selected, you must provide two high-resolution screen shots, a secure online link for press by August 25, 2021. 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 2021 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 2021 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

- If your script doesn’t make it into the quarterfinals, it will not advance to further stages of the competition.

- 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

40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mark Chua

    It was so incredible to get to screen our film Revolution Launderette at the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival 2020! We had a fantastic and memorable 5 days, getting to meet the other filmmakers and festival team, watching some amazing films, and being part of all the events!

    Shira, Paul, Lesley and team were really warm, passionate and supportive, and their dedication to uplifting independent film was really inspiring for us. It's been a trying year, and we can't convey enough our gratitude for the amount of dedication, effort and love that went into making this year's online edition such a terrific one.

    We loved the programme lineup this year and got to watch some really cool and interesting films. There were also lots of events and meaningful opportunities to get to meet and chat with filmmakers from all over the world, as well as talks and panel discussions.

    One of the events that we enjoyed was the talk with David Zucker and Jim Abrahams (Airplane, Naked Gun etc), a really insightful, funny and personal conversation! (And halfway through, David Hays from Airplane joined in spontaneously too!)

    We had an unforgettable time at MLFF and we are hoping so much that we’ll be able to visit Mammoth Lakes next year. Truly one of the best festivals around!

    October 2020
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  • David Payne

    It's very impressive how well they were able to organise the festival, even though it was limited to online screenings and virtual events. I wish there were more off-screen/industry programme, but in general, I have nothing to complain about. I'm glad that I could screen my film this way at Mammoth Lakes as its US premiere.

    October 2020
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  • M. Conrad

    The entire team is genuine, friendly, and thoughtful. The programming selections are inspiring and carefully curated. Highly recommend!

    October 2020
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  • Stephen Treacy

    I was delighted when Paul Sbrizzi called to say that my Winter Bird was among their top 10 screenplays. Amazing personal touch for a major festival. As a result, I was ready to journey from Port Townsend before the 2020 California conflagration and Covid-19 pandemic forced Mammoth Lakes into happy little online celebration. Next time then!

    September 2020
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  • Matthew Dixon

    I've been a part of over 30 festivals and Mammoth Lakes will always be one of my favorites. Paul Sbrizzi and Shira Dubovner have a wonderful vision and the experience, commitment, caring and asthetic to achieve it. This year, I was thrilled to win the Best Screenplay Competition but, months prior, when the script was initially being considered, they called and talked about why they had chosen it, what they were about as a festival and who I was as a writer. All the way through the festival, and after, they were communicative, thoughtful, smart, and helped to push the project forward. It's a special festival and I'm grateful to have been a part of it.

    September 2020
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