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.

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 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.

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 web episodes.
Films must be produced (completed) no earlier than January, 2022.

FILM ENTRY RULES:

Please be prepared to provide one or more of the following exhibition formats: 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.

56 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Claire Kennedy

    A truly mystical, wonderful experience. The Mystic Film Festival was bursting with fascinating people who love film and love people who love film. Such a welcoming group, full of insight and support. Everything was gracefully organized - the locations were lovely and the audiences curious and engaged. Can't say enough good things. Thank you for allowing me (and my mother ;) to be a part of it.

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Claire. It was lovely to have you and your mother at the festival!

  • Enrique Lebron

    Amazing experience. Very well organized.

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much!

  • Duncan Putney

    They were great communicators. I was honored to have my feature dark comedy screenplay, "The Resurrectionsits," be a finalist but unfortunately, ill health kept me from attending, so I can't comment on the hospitality and networking. I did hear great things from friends who attended.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Duncan!

  • Pat Battistini

    A BIG thank you to Sharon, Wendy, and the entire crew at MFF. The communication and social media promotions were excellent. I have had MFF on my list for many years and we were so honored to screen this year. We definitely hope to be back!

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Pat!

  • Marie Ginga

    This was a great festival, start to finish. Well organized, easy access to all venues, great films, welcoming volunteers and staff. The only downer was that my screenplay didn't win. ;-)

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Marie!