The Middleburg Film Festival is a celebration of the “best in film”, bringing together filmmakers, filmgoers, and other special guests to experience exceptional films in the stunning setting of Middleburg, Virginia. Over the course of four days each October, audiences are engaged, informed, and inspired by a carefully-curated selection of narrative features and documentaries.

The charming, historic town of Middleburg is located 30 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and less than one hour from our nation's capital -– and has long been a weekend retreat for Washington, D.C. area residents and a destination for visitors from all over the world, from world leaders to avid equestrians.

The festival is committed to showcasing diverse voices and using the power of film to broaden our understanding of the world and one another.

Films screen in intimate theatre environments, accompanied by insightful conversations. Special events include a concert honoring a renowned film composer or songwriter, “Wine and Conversation” with filmmakers and actors at local wineries, master classes, topical panels, farm-to-table dinners, and other special events.

The festival’s atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and casual – there are no red carpets. Emphasis is placed on making this a memorable and rewarding experience for both filmmakers and filmgoers.

Founded in 2013, the Middleburg Film Festival is a not-for-profit organization based in the state of Virginia.

Filmmakers, actors and other film industry guests who have attended past festivals include: Kenneth Branagh, Noah Baumbach, Sterling K. Brown, Kasi Lemmons, Anthony McCarten, Terence Blanchard, Kris Bowers, Ann Dowd, Dakota Johnson, Clifton Collins, Jr., Sean Baker, Simon Rex, Rodrigo Prieto, Diane Warren, Taylor Russell, Viggo Mortensen, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Farrelly, Jason Reitman, Joel Edgerton, Yalitza Aparicio, Diane Warren, Emma Stone, Damien Chazelle, Greta Gerwig, Lee Daniels, James Ivory, Dee Rees, Ben Mendelsohn, Bruce Dern, Val Faris & Jonathan Dayton, Meg Ryan, Allen Leach, Scott Cooper, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Steve Golin, Nicholas Britell, Carter Burwell, Marco Beltrami, Henry Jackman, Mark Isham, Richard LaGravenese, Cassian Elwes, Dante Spinotti, Catherine Hardwicke, Griffin Dunne, Albert Berger, Ron Yerxa, Daniela Vega, Ari Wegner, Donald Mowat, Charles Fox, and Colleen Atwood.

Past Films include:
2021: BELFAST, KING RICHARD, THE POWER OF THE DOG, C'MON, C'MON, RED ROCKET, FLEE, THE LOST DAUGHTER, A HERO, THE HAND OF GOD, CYRANO, DRIVE MY CAR, THE RESCUE, PARALLEL MOTHERS, SPENCER, and THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD.

2021 honorees included Directors Kenneth Branagh and Paolo Sorrentino, Actors Ann Dowd and Dakota Johnson, Cinematographer Ari Wegner, Composer Charlies Fox, and the ensemble cast of RED ROCKET.

2020: NOMADLAND, ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, MINARI, CONCRETE COWBOY, THE DISSIDENT, 76 DAYS, GUNDA. 2020 honorees included: Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, Director Chloe Zhao, Actors Sophia Loren, Film Composer Kris Bowers.

2019: PARASITE, MARRIAGE STORY, THE IRISHMAN, FORD v FERRARI, THE TWO POPES, THE CAVE, HARRIET, JOJO RABBIT, JUST MERCY, THE REPORT, KNIVES OUT, and WAVES.

2018: ROMA, GREEN BOOK, THE FAVOURITE, FREE SOLO, COLD WAR, BOY ERASED, CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?, THE FRONTRUNNER, SHOPLIFTER, NEVER LOOK AWAY, CAPERNAUM, THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM, MARIA BY CALLAS, BORDER, AT ETERNITY'S GATE. BEN IS BACK, WIDOWS.

2017: LADY BIRD, DARKEST HOUR, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, MUDBOUND, I, TONYA, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, A FANTASTIC WOMAN, JANE, JOAN DIDION, FACES/PLACES, HOSTILES, IN THE FADE, THE SQUARE, LAST FLAG FLYING.

2016: MOONLIGHT, LA LA LAND, LION, MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, LOVING, PATTERSON,
THE EAGLE HUNTRESS, THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, FIRE AT SEA, JACKIE, I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, NERUDA, GRADUATION, I, DANIEL BLAKE, TONI ERDMANN, THE SALESMAN.

2015: SPOTLIGHT, BROOKLYN, CAROL, 45 YEARS, SUFFRAGETTE, HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT, HARRY & SNOWMAN, SHERPA, TRUTH, TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL, INGRID BERGMAN: IN HER OWN WORDS, LOUDER THAN BOMBS, EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT, SON OF SAUL.

For more information, please visit our website at middleburgfilm.org or download our mobile app

Awards & Prizes

Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature.

Rules & Terms

These general rules apply to all films submitted:
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Films must have been completed after September 1, 2021.

Films may not have been released theatrically, shown on television, or made available online or for purchase on DVD prior to the festival's opening date of Oct. 13. 2022.

MFF does not accept shorts. All films must be at least 60 minutes long to qualify for submission. We also do not accept industrial, promotional, or instructional films.

We accept films with or without current distribution. We typically do not pay screening
fees. If accepted, we cover travel expenses and accommodations for the film's director.
Travel and accommodations for talent is made on a case-by-case basis.

Preference will be given to premieres, including regional premieres.

We do not accept previously submitted films unless they have been substantially re-edited.

Only one (1) submission version per film is permitted.

We only accept online screening links for submissions. We appreciate your keeping the link to your film operational through the date of notification. Our programming decisions
may require additional viewings late in the submission process.

You will be notified by email on or before October 1, 2022 regarding the status of your film submission.

If your film is accepted to the festival, it is the filmmaker's responsibility to make sure we receive the film on time. Our print shipping supervisor will be in touch to coordinate this with you.

Exhibition prints must be sent to the Festival prepaid. The festival will cover the cost of return shipping via FedEx, DHL, UPS or US Mail, unless other arrangements are requested.

DCP is the preferred format for screening at the festival. We also accept HDCam and Blu-Ray. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding format.

Films are typically screened twice at the festival. In some instances, there may only be one screening.

If you have any questions regarding your submission, please contact us at
info@middleburgfilm.org

We appreciate and respect all the hard work that goes into making a film and we look forward to viewing your film. All films submitted will be viewed in their entirety.

Thank you for your submission!

1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • David Simonds

    Had a blast at this amazing four day festival that chooses to actually support filmmakers with quality screening venues and tremendous support. Susan Koch, Connie White and the MFF staff really pull out all the stops and the whole Middleburg community rallies behind their film festival.

    October 2019
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