The Mill City Film Festival (A division of Manchester Community Theatre Players, a 501(c)(3) organization) honors independent films of all types. Our mission is to celebrate filmmakers and their craft, as well as screenwriters. We welcome short films, features, documentaries, animated films, pilots, and webseries. We embrace diversity films, women’s films, student films, and stories of all genres. We welcome premieres and first-time filmmakers as well.

The screenings will be at the 250 seat MCTP Theater at the North End Montessori School in Manchester, NH with a state-of-the-art sound system and large backlit screen.

Awards & Prizes

Best feature - narrative

Best short - narrative

Best feature documentary

Best short documentary

Best Student narrative

Best Student short

Best film accessible

Audience choice

Best Actor - feature

Best Actress- feature

Best supporting actor - feature

Best Supporting actress - feature

Best Actor - short

Best Actress- short

Best supporting actor - short

Best Supporting actress - short

Best ensemble - short

Best ensemble - feature

Best cinematography - feature

Best cinematography - short

Best feature screenplay

Best feature screenplay - comedy

Best feature screenplay - drama

Best feature screenplay - horror

Best feature screenplay - seasonal

Best short screenplay

Best short screenplay - comedy

Best short screenplay -drama

Best short screenplay - horror

Best short screenplay - seasonal

Best Music Video

Movie magic awards

Rules & Terms

Submitting your film does not guarantee festival acceptance or screening. Acceptance into the festival does not guarantee award or prize. Submission fees are nonrefundable. Mill City Film Festival reserves the right to change our programming without notice.

Mill City Film Festival (A Division of Manchester Community Theatre Players) and or sponsors, vendors, employees, contractors or anyone related to the film festival is not responsible for travel related losses, travel costs or any costs associated with attending the festival or any costs or expenses related to changes in programing including change in venue and dates and times.

All Tickets are Non-Refundable
9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mary C. Ferrara

    Great selection of films, thanks to Tom and everyone involved. And lots of thanks to awarding my film "Wallie's Gals" the "Best Ensemble in a Feature" award!

    May 2026
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  • Emma Lowery

    Mill City Film Festival was a pleasure to attend! Organizers were very welcoming, the films were great, and it featured a lovely Q&A session. I felt my film was well represented at this festival. Thank you so much for selecting Waves for not just the festival but selecting it to win the Best Student Award.

    May 2026
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  • Rachel Thomas-Medwid

    Mill City Film Festival was a wonderful experience. Tom Anastasi and team really rose to the challenge of a first year festival and we were honored to have both Dissection Day and Fenwick screen at the festival!

    The festival was well organized, welcoming, and featured a strong lineup of independent films. We were grateful to not only screen but be nominated for Best Short Film and win for Best Actress. Looking forward to next year!

    May 2026
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  • Sue Farina

    Submitting to this film festival was a wonderful experience. Tom Anastasi was positive, helpful, and made the entire process seamless. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend the screenings, which is the only reason why I didn’t respond to the Networking rating.

    May 2026
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  • Bob Tourangeau

    Congratulations to Tom Anastasi and staff for a well done inaugural film festival. There were many networking opportunities. The event was well planned. The venue was spacious and comfortable. Parking was easy. And everyone was very welcoming.

    May 2026
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