Driven by innovation and creativity the Melrose Film Festival highlights the work of imaginative filmmakers across the globe. Our annual festival is dedicated to celebrating the art of visual storytelling in short films, animations and documentaries. Join us as we celebrate the art of filmmaking with virtual screenings, industry panels and Q/A sessions. Select films may also broadcast on local Orange TV. Come share your stories at the Melrose Film Festival.

Official Selection: All films chosen to screen at the festival will receive one digital certificate with laurels.

Category Winners: A single film in each of the five categories will receive a digital certificate with laurels.

Audience Choice: The film with the most overall votes from the viewing audience will receive a digital certificate with laurels.

Melrose Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission. We do not wish to disqualify a film so we ask you to please follow all rules below.

Films must stay at or under 10 minutes in total length.

Please include subtitles for non-English language films.

All films should have been completed within the last 2 years.

Prior submissions to the Melrose Film Festival are not permitted.

Films produced or financed by a major motion picture studio are not eligible to submit. Films must be submitted by filmmakers, not distribution companies.

Films must adhere to the standard G and PG rating, outlined with the Motion Picture Association of America film rating system. These are noted as such: Rated G: General Audiences – all ages admitted. Rated PG: Parental Guidance Suggested – some material may not be suitable for children.

All work submitted must have appropriate clearance, rights and agreement to be submitted and screened. By submitting the film, the person guarantees these permissions and clearances have been obtained.

Orange County Library System holds the rights to screen films more than once.
Films will be scheduled at the discretion of the Melrose Film Festival.

Films may be broadcast on a local TV channel in Orange County, Florida.

SELECTION PROCESS:
All entries and appropriate forms should be completed and submitted by the final deadline.

Special consideration for filmmakers in the state of Florida.

Entrants must provide a working e-mail address to receive an Official Selection Certificate.

Decisions made by the Judges are final. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide feedback.

One entry is free for Florida residents. Discount codes are available by emailing melrosefilmfestival@ocls.info with proof of Florida residency. Please allow at least 48 hours for a response for requests and take into consideration this will not extend the festival deadline.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:
By submitting your entry form, you are granting the Orange County Library permission to use any and all material submitted to promote and publicize events and festivals held by Orange County Library System.

All Films submitted must be submitted electronically through FilmFreeway.

Films must provide a password to view films on privately locked platforms.

Films should be shot in HD or higher and compatible to view on HD devices.

Films should be connected to FilmFreeway via an online platform with a working screener attached to your profile.

Filmmakers must provide a high resolution poster.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We were so honored to have been selected to participate in the Melrose Film Festival. It was thrilling to have our film, Daisy, recognized with an award for audience choice! Thank you so much!

    March 2023
  • The online festival was great, it was an honor to be part of it and much more to win the best micro short film. Thank you for what you're doing, keep going !

    May 2022
  • Mariska Roothman

    This was such a great festival to be a part of. Thank you for selecting our film! We feel super proud that we won the audience award and enjoyed watching the live premiere. Great festival and well organized! Thank you all for your support and dedicated work.

    October 2021
  • Anne Jammet

    Thanks for having selected our film SADAF. And the communication and event was perfect!! thanks to all the team.

    October 2020
  • nice little festival. the people know what good films are all about!

    October 2020