Our motto is: Make a film. Change the world.

The Mosaic World Film Fest presents quality independent work that may not otherwise be seen in commercial theaters, and represents filmmakers and film communities from around the world. We are proudly personal and cordial, feeling more like a cinematheque than a more traditional fest. We take our name from the famous quote by filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky: "Film is a mosaic of time."

We are looking for competence in the filmmaking craft; work that has vision and spirit; original subjects with well-told stories; and diverse voices. We look for films that represent different facets of filmmaking, from polished productions to no-budget gems.

The festival welcomes comedy and drama and everything in between. We have categories for narrative, documentary, experimental, animated projects, and music videos of any length. We have both student and open awards for all of our categories. Entries from any country are accepted.

Our past MWFF fest judges have included some terrific filmmakers including: Oscar-winning director Dan Lindsay, Oscar-nominated and Sundance Film Festival winning director Bing Liu, Film and TV director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, cinematographer Cynthia Pusheck A.S.C., production designer Kevin Conran, educator and filmmaker Camille DeBose, and many more.

The 19th annual fest will be held in person at the RPL Nordlof Center in Rockford, IL on September 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2026. For more information on us please visit the MWFF website: http://mosaicfilmfest.com or look for the hashtag #2026MWFF across all social media platforms.

Submissions for our 2026 fest will be open from October 1st, 2025 - June 22nd, 2026.

Awards & Prizes

Award certificates are presented to the best short films in all categories as decided by our panel of industry professional judges.

Best Narrative Film
Best Narrative Film (Student)

Best Documentary Film
Best Documentary Film (Student)

Best Animated Film
Best Animated Film (Student)

Best Music Video
Best Music Video (Student)

Best Experimental Film
Best Experimental Film (Student)

Our top feature length film prize is the Mosaic Spotlight Award. It is awarded to the top feature film out of all categories. That film is also then selected as the feature film for our #2026MWFF opening night screening.

Rules & Terms

The entry period for the 2026 fest will be October 1st, 2024 - June 25th, 2025.

2026 MWFF SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

- Each filmmaker may submit up to, and no more than, three (3) films. A separate entry fee in US currency and separate submission form is required for each film entered.

- Film duration must be between 1 second and 45 minutes including credits and opening sequences for short film categories. All films 46 minutes or over will be placed in the feature film categories.

- Films should be within an American “R” rating (Go to MPA: https://www.filmratings.com/RatingsGuide to see what each rating means) or lower and final decisions on content are at the ultimate discretion of the preliminary judges who will be previewing the films before the event.

- Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the MWFF and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.

- Entrant will allow usage of clips from the film for promotional use on television, radio, in print, and at live MWFF events.

- If their work is selected for the fest, the entrant will allow at no cost the usage of the full film for an in-person and live MWFF screening. We do not stream or have an online screening version of the fest.

- If the in-person fest or event is cancelled and an online fest or screening is necessary, the filmmaker retains the right to not screen the film online if desired.

- Films should either be in English or have English subtitles on the film in open-caption. Non-English entries submitted without English subtitles are not eligible.

- Films may be entered into ONE category only.

- Films must be submitted by June 22nd, 2026.

- To be eligible for awards in their category, films must have been made on or after January 1st, 2025. Films made prior to that date will be considered for screening at the fest, but will not be eligible for competitive awards.

- Films previously submitted to the MWFF are NOT eligible.

- If your film is selected, a high quality HD download (minimum 1080p) of your film (if not already submitted) and any EPK or marketing materials will be requested.

Any questions or clarifications should be directed to us at: info@mosaicfilmfest.com prior to submitting your film(s).

Our panel will review all submitted films and we’ll let filmmakers know by July 31st, 2026 whether or not their film(s) has been selected for this year’s Mosaic World Film Festival.

Full session listings, screening schedules, and online ticket pre-sale links will be posted by August 1st, 2026.

Award-winners for each category will be announced at our #2026MWFF Opening Night Event on Friday, September 18th, 2026.

All filmmakers who have a film selected for the #2026MWFF event will receive a complimentary VIP +1 full fest pass, which will allow them (and a guest) admission to all receptions and screening sessions at the festival.

Good luck!
39 Reviews
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  • Dan Burns

    It was an honor to have our short film, "Come Out, Wherever You Are," participate in the festival as an official selection and finalist. Thank you to the festival team for your recognition and support!

    October 2025
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  • barbara peikert

    Thank you once again for the interested audience and for screening my short experimental film “The Cormorant's Shadow” at the MWFF Festival 2025.

    October 2025
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  • Craig Webb

    A terrific boutique-genre festival! Host was super welcoming and quick to communicate and respond. Grateful to have my film Be-Living in The Ocean included and selected as a finalist!

    October 2025
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  • Melle Windig

    Thank you for giving the opportunity to share our short student stop motion animation Cell Buddies with your audience. Unfortunately we could not attend but the communication was great and the event looked very nice on social media

    September 2025
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  • Dr. Teresa Mular

    Great festival , a true honor for me to have participated in it and to be granted the possibility of having my documentary “ Tango in Twilight “ being officially selected and awarded by their jurors . It’s been an absolute delight !! My thanks to the entire team of the Mosaic World film festival . Bravo !!!!

    September 2025
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