Moonless International Film Festival and Screenwriters/Playwrights Competition

The Moonless International Film Festival and Screenwriters/Playwrights Competition is a non-profit organization that has created a premier international event devoted exclusively to discovering and celebrating the world’s most inspiring, powerful, and purpose-driven stories—on screen and on stage.

We’re not just looking for great scripts and films—we’re searching for transformative stories rooted in faith, family, hope, and redemption. Whether you're an emerging writer, filmmaker, or a seasoned creative, if your story uplifts, empowers, and resonates with timeless values, this is your stage.

The festival brings together filmmakers, screenwriters, playwrights, musicians, authors, and artists who inspire hope, courage, and creativity through their work. The Moonless International Film Festival shines a light on uplifting, inspiring, and meaningful stories that impact hearts and minds across the world.

We Welcome Submissions From:

Screenwriters: shorts, features, and television pilots
Playwrights: one-acts, full-length stage plays, and dramatic works of all formats
Filmmakers and Musicians: powerful films and moving songs that tell stories of faith and inspiration

If you believe in the power of story to change hearts and shape culture, submit your screenplay, play, film, or song, and make your voice heard.

Awards & Prizes:

Grand Prize Winner (Screenplay or Stage Play):

$2,500 Cash Prize
Moonless International Grand Laurels
Private meetings with producers and directors for potential optioning or development
Live table read featuring professional actors and VIP guests during the 2026 Festival
One-on-one industry consultation with a faith-based producer
Featured interview on the Moonless International Podcast
VIP All-Access Pass + Script/Play Showcase at the 2026 Festival
Official award plaque and certificate
Script/play promotion via Moonless International press and media channels

Grand Prize Winner (Film or Song):

$2,500 Cash Prize
Moonless International Grand Laurels
Private meetings with producers, directors, or music industry professionals for potential collaboration
Special screening or live performance during the 2026 Festival
One-on-one industry consultation with a faith-based industry leader
Featured interview on the Moonless International Podcast
VIP All-Access Pass + Showcase at the 2026 Festival
Official award plaque and certificate
Promotion via Moonless International press and media channels

1st Place Winner:

$1,000 Cash Prize
Moonless International Laurels
Official award certificate
Spotlight on our website and social media
VIP Festival Pass to the 2026 Moonless International Film Festival

2nd Place Winner:

$500 Cash Prize
Moonless International Laurels
Official award certificate
Mention in official festival press and digital materials

3rd Place Winner:

$250 Cash Prize
Moonless International Laurels
Official award certificate
Social media spotlight

Additional Honors for All Winners:

Official Moonless International Film Festival Winner Laurels
Option to receive a customized trophy to commemorate the achievement
Recognition across festival media and promotional platforms

Terms & Rules

Prior to submission, please the Rules and Terms at our website at www.moonlessiff.com.

Thank you and Good Luck.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Mark Williams

For a first-year festival, the Moonless International Film Festival was incredibly well-organized and professionally run. Communication between the festival team and myself was clear and consistent, making the entire experience smooth and enjoyable.

The location, inside a historic opera house, was absolutely beautiful, and the surrounding downtown area added a charming small-town appeal that gave the event a unique atmosphere.

What really stood out were the thoughtful touches: multiple celebrity guests, engaging panels, and even live musical performances between screenings. These breaks added a fresh dynamic to the weekend and gave attendees time to connect and enjoy the experience beyond just the films.

I had a fantastic time and absolutely plan to submit my next film to Moonless. It’s a festival with a bright future, and I’m honored to have been part of its first year.

May 2025

Helpful
Adelita Smith

Thank you for choosing “Becoming SonShine” as a Nominee. Excellent communication and great work with the online presence. I enjoyed the experience. Congratulations to all of the incredible filmmakers, actors and performers who won!! Great job!

May 2025

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

May 19, 2025
Opening Date
September 3, 2025
Super Early
November 30, 2025
Early
March 31, 2026
Regular
June 16, 2026
Late
August 16, 2026
Final
August 17, 2026
Notification Date
August 21 – 22, 2026
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Best Feature Film
We are looking for feature length films, over 50 minutes long.
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Short Film
Any narrative fiction short film with a running time of less than 50 minutes, including credits. Short Films have no premiere requirements or prior screening restrictions to retain eligibility.
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Documentary Feature
All short and long documentaries are welcome!
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Documentary Short
All short and long documentaries are welcome!
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Animated Film
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Student Film
Must be an active student while making the film. Short or feature permitted. Any length and nearly any form but narrative is suggested.
- Super Early
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Final
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
Submit Now
Television
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Actor
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Actress
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Supporting Actor
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Supporting Actress
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Director
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Composer
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Cinematography
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Editor
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Visual Effects
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Costume Design
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Original Song
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Makeup
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Best Trailer
- Super Early
- Standard: $10
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $5
- Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Regular
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Late
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Best Music Video
- Super Early
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Early
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Late
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Best Director Music Video
- Super Early
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Early
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Late
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Best Cinematography Music Video
- Super Early
- Standard: $20
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Early
- Standard: $25
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Late
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Final
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
Submit Now
Best Short Horror Film
- Super Early
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Early
- Standard: $35
- Student: $25
- Gold Members: $25
- Regular
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Late
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Final
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
Submit Now
Best Horror Feature
- Super Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Early
- Standard: $45
- Student: $35
- Gold Members: $35
- Regular
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Late
- Standard: $65
- Student: $55
- Gold Members: $55
- Final
- Standard: $85
- Student: $75
- Gold Members: $75
Submit Now
Feature Screenplay
Feature screenplays must be between 70–130 pages in length. Scripts outside this range may be disqualified without refund. We proudly offer a discounted submission rate for writers currently residing in South Carolina. To see if your project qualifies, visit: www.moonlessiff.org/screenwriters-competition
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Pilot Screenplay
Pilot screenplays must be between 10–70 pages in length. Scripts outside of this range may be disqualified without refund. Upon submission, writers must indicate the nature of the television project—whether it's a webisode, half-hour, hour-long, mini-series, comedy, drama, or any combination thereof. Supplementary materials (such as concept summaries, character breakdowns, and future episode outlines) are not required and cannot be guaranteed for review. However, if you wish to include them, you may attach them with your submission or email them to: info@moonlessiff.org SOUTH CAROLINA SCREENWRITERS: A discounted submission rate is available for writers currently residing in South Carolina. To check eligibility and apply, visit: www.moonlessiff.org/screenwriters-competition
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Short Film Screenplay
Short film screenplays must be between 5–40 pages in length. Scripts outside of this range may be disqualified without refund. SOUTH CAROLINA SCREENWRITERS: We offer a discounted submission rate for writers currently residing in South Carolina. To see if your project qualifies, please visit: www.moonlessiff.org/screenwriters-competition
- Super Early
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Late
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Final
- Standard: $100
- Student: $85
- Gold Members: $85
Submit Now
One Act Stage Play
- Super Early
- Standard: $30
- Student: $20
- Gold Members: $20
- Early
- Standard: $40
- Student: $30
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular
- Standard: $60
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $50
- Late
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Final
- Standard: $100
- Student: $85
- Gold Members: $85
Submit Now
Full Length Stage Play
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Best Female Director
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Best Female Cinematographer
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Best Female Producer
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Best Female Screenplay Writer
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Best Female Playwright
- Super Early
- Standard: $50
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $40
- Early
- Standard: $70
- Student: $60
- Gold Members: $60
- Regular
- Standard: $80
- Student: $70
- Gold Members: $70
- Late
- Standard: $90
- Student: $80
- Gold Members: $80
- Final
- Standard: $110
- Student: $95
- Gold Members: $95
Submit Now
Professional Actress of the Year Award
Nominate Your Favorite Actress for the Moonless International Film Festival’s Professional Actress of the Year Award! Submit a photo of any professional actress, and as submissions come in, we’ll include it in a monthly tally posted on the festival’s official website. Each month, fans and industry professionals can follow the rankings as we highlight the remarkable women bringing powerful performances to the screen. In August, our committee will personally reach out to the top nominees and extend a formal invitation to attend the Moonless International Film Festival in person to accept the honor of Moonless International Film Festival Actress of the Year.
- Super Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Regular
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Late
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Final
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
Submit Now
Professional Actor of the Year Award
Nominate Your Favorite Actor for the Moonless International Film Festival’s Professional Actor of the Year Award! Submit a photo of any professional actor, and as submissions come in, we’ll include it in our monthly tally posted on the festival’s official website. Each month, fans and industry professionals can follow the rankings as we highlight the remarkable men bringing powerful performances to the screen. In August, our committee will personally reach out to the top nominees and extend a formal invitation to attend the Moonless International Film Festival in person to accept the honor of Professional Actor of the Year.
- Super Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Regular
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Late
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Final
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
Submit Now
Professional Director of the Year Award
Nominate Your Favorite Director for the Moonless International Film Festival’s Professional Director of the Year Award! Submit a photo of any professional director, and as submissions come in, we’ll include it in our monthly tally posted on the festival’s official website. Each month, fans and industry professionals can follow the rankings as we highlight the remarkable directors bringing powerful movies to the screen. In August, our committee will personally reach out to the top nominees and extend a formal invitation to attend the Moonless International Film Festival in person to accept the honor of Professional Director of the Year.
- Super Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Early
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Regular
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Late
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
- Final
- Standard: $15
- Student: $10
- Gold Members: $10
Submit Now

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Mark Williams

Adelita Smith