Mystic Film Festival is an annual event showcasing independent feature-length and short-form narrative films and documentaries from around the world. The festival brings together a diverse group of filmmakers and audiences to explore ideas, discuss the filmmaking process, and celebrate creativity. Through engaging community events, industry panels, and film screenings by acclaimed and up-and-coming talent, we aim to make the festival a special experience for filmmakers and audiences alike.
Now celebrating its seventh year, the festival will take place from September 19 - 22, 2024 at venues in Mystic, Connecticut and Westerly, Rhode Island. Our cornerstone venue is Mystic Luxury Cinemas in Olde Mistick Village. We open with a local premiere and close the festival with an awards event where the best film in each category is recognized. We are expanding our submission categories this year.
Our un-produced script competition is now entering its fifth year and continues to be a big success as we continue to grow our relationships with key partners in the screenwriting industry. We are excited to expand the categories this year. The top winners of the screenplay competition will be announced at the festival in September 2024.
Our festival was created by area filmmakers and artists to nurture local talent, to promote films made in Connecticut and New England, and to bring unique films to our community.
Halfway between New York City and Boston lies the beautiful seaport of Mystic. Known for its rich seafaring past and maritime history, it is also a popular destination for its restaurant and locally produced craft beer and wine; art galleries and museums; and sailing, kayaking and hiking along the pristine shoreline.
Mystic is easily accessible by car and train, and the Tweed New Haven Regional Airport in New Haven, Connecticut and T.F. Green International Airport in Providence, Rhode Island are both within an hour’s drive. Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut is just over an hour's drive.
The Mystic Film Festival Jury will recognize the top films in competition: Best Narrative Feature, Best Feature Documentary, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best International Narrative Feature, Best International Feature Documentary, Best International Narrative Short, Best International Documentary Short, Best Director, Best New Director, Best Connecticut Film, Best New England Film, Human Rights Award, Best Conservation Film, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Student Film, Best Student Film Director, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, Best Actor in a Narrative Feature, Best Actress in a Narrative Feature, Best Actor in a Narrative Short, Best Actress in a Narrative Short, Best Ensemble Cast, Lifetime Achievement Award, Grand Jury Prize Narrative Feature, Grand Jury Prize Narrative Short, Grand Jury Prize Feature Documentary, Grand Jury Prize Documentary Short, Best Screenplay Narrative Feature, Best Screenplay Narrative Short, Best Screenplay Student Film, Audience Choice Award (festival-wide), and Audience Choice Award (Student Film Showcase). We will also be offering awards for the top winners of our our various script categories.