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 sixth year, the festival will take place October 19 - 22, 2023 at venues in Mystic, Connecticut and neighboring shoreline towns. 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.

Our screenplay competition is now entering its fourth year and has been a great success so far. We're excited to continue to offer this and expand our relationships with key partners in the screenwriting industry. The top winners of the screenplay competition will be announced at the festival in October.

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 Rhode Island are both within an hour’s drive.

Awards & Prizes

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 New Director, Best New England Film, Human Rights Award, Best Conservation Film, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Student Film, 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, 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 screenplay competition such as a meeting with a literary manager and ISAConnect Membership.

Rules & Terms

MYSTIC FILM FESTIVAL GENERAL RULES:

All entries must be submitted online via FilmFreeway.
Your application will not be considered complete until all entry requirements are met.
No music videos, commercials, or series.
Films must be produced (completed) no earlier than January, 2021.

FILM ENTRY RULES:

Please be prepared to provide one or more of the following exhibition formats: MPEG 2, MPEG 4, Quick Time, or DCP.

The filmmaker will assume material costs and shipping costs of materials to Mystic Film Festival.

Entrants must assume all responsibility for clearing materials through customs.

Audio is STEREO only.

Titles produced in languages other than English must have legible English subtitles.

DCPs will be returned to the successful entrants at filmmaker's cost.

Upon acceptance, filmmakers must agree to provide no less than two high-resolution digital stills (minimum 540 x 960) to be used at Mystic Film Festival’s discretion. Digital stills must be movie stills, not "behind the scenes" / production stills. We also require a short synopsis of your film (limited to 300 words). If you have an EPK, digital posters, or a trailer, please include these too.

Not all invited films officially selected will be eligible for competition. The selection committees' and juries' decisions are final.

We do not pay honorariums, screening fees, or travel costs to the festival.

Mystic Film Festival reserves the right to make any necessary changes in its rules and regulations or festival programming and scheduling.

By entering the Mystic Film Festival, you grant the Mystic Film Festival permission to screen your film at Mystic Film Festival, to use your marketing materials to promote your film at Mystic Film Festival, and on social media and in traditional media spaces, and use your trailer (if available) for promotional purposes.

50 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Hannah Gearan

    It was an honor to screen my film, Toxic Faucets, at the 2022 Mystic Film Festival. I unfortunately was not able to attend any of Mystic’s panels, but the screenings I went to were great overall! A very professionally run festival with events running on time. I appreciate the variety in the film selection.

    January 2023
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  • Daniele Sestito

    Thank you MFF for selecting my short film "Off The Menu" and awarding it with "Best Actor in a Narrative Short"!

    I came in from out of state for Mystic's last day, and very quickly, I regretted that I didn't plan out a stay for the whole fest! The staff was friendly. The selected films had substance. The filmmakers behind them were awesome to chat with. I was told that their numerous events and networking opportunities were wonderful. I had a blast at the award ceremony. Oh, and the town of Stonington is magnificent in its scenery and community.

    All in all, it was a real joy to be there! My only suggestion is to improve the screening quality. My block was done in a community center on a smaller screen with sound that was lacking in clarity, and the transitions between films could've been more seamless.

    December 2022
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  • Steven Tsapelas

    We had an exceptional time at the Mystic Film Festival! It is run by people that really care about independent films, especially in Connecticut, and the venue is one-of-a-kind. Thanks!

    December 2022
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  • Indy Saini

    I absolutely loved this festival! Thanks to organizer Shareen and the Mystic team for running such a fun and smooth festival. There were multiple venues with a wide range of events going on, from the screenings to industry panels to networking events. A filmmaker centric festival, it's clear the organizers care about creating a truly supportive and informative experience. This festival is growing every year, and they shared their vision for expanding even more. I was there for the all four days, had a blast, and made some great new connections. Look forward to attending Mystic again in the future! Thanks Mystic Team!

    December 2022
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  • lynda reiss

    I loved my time at Mystic Film Festival and so happy to be there in person. Will highly recommend that my filmmaker freinds submit and I'll be back.

    November 2022
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