The 6th Annual NIFA Awards Show (Oct 5th, 2024 - 7 PM-9:30 PM) will be held at Lawrence University (The Cinema @ Warch Center) Tickets are $15 (LU Students with ID $10)

The National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) ) is a film festival and music festival in the vein of South by Southwest (SXSW). Held at Lawrence University (a Top 50 Liberal Arts College in the Nation) in Appleton, WI (The home of Harry Houdini, Willem Dafoe and The Mile of Music). Hosted by Dan Davies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Davies) star of the worldwide Netflix sensation "A Trip to Jamaica" (Streamed on Netflix Jan 2020 - Jan 2022) and the cult classic film "Ed Gein, the Musical". The National Independent Film Awards (The NIFA Awards) comprise of Lifetime Achievement Awards (our inaugural winners in 2019 - Sir Sean Connery - NIFA Lifetime Achievement Award henceforth The Connery Award, Neal McCoy - NIFA Musical Legend Award - The Real McCoy Award, Jeff Olm - NIFA Lifetime Achievement - Post-Production - The Olm Award & Michael Blake (awarded posthumously) NIFA Legend Award - The Blake Award and the NIFA Best Independent Film, NIFA Best International Film, NIFA Best Micro-Budget Film, NIFA Best Documentary Film, NIFA Best Short Film, NIFA Best Music Video, NIFA Best Short Screenplay & NIFA Best Screenplay.

The National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) will be nominating 5 films (if applicable in all categories) for the NIFA Best Independent Film Award (1 winner), nominated films for the NIFA Best International Film (1 winner), 5 nominated films for the NIFA Best Micro-Budget Film (1 winner), 5 nominated films for the NIFA Best Documentary Film (1 winner), 5 nominated films for the NIFA Best Short Film (1 winner), 5 nominated films for the NIFA Best Music Video (1 winner). 5 nominated screenplays for the NIFA Best Short Screenplay (1 winner) & 5 nominated screenplays for the NIFA Best Screenplay (1 winner) Each winner receives our beautiful Film Fest NIFA Trophy or our NIFA Certificate .

All films or screenplays that were filmed, screened or written from 2/01/23 to 9/20/24 are eligible. We do accept works in progress but would prefer screen ready versions. NIFA Best Independent Film (60 mins or more) NIFA Best Micro-Budget Film (60 mins or more) NIFA Best Short Film (Under 60 mins), NIFA Best International Film (over 10 mins) NIFA Best Documentary (over 10 mins) NIFA Music Video (under 15 mins), NIFA Best Short Screenplay (under 30 pages) & NIFA Best Screenplay (over 30 pages)

SUBMITTING YOUR FILM OR SCREENPLAY
Send an online screener or screenplay through FilmFreeway or other online link:
(Dropbox, Google Drive, Vimeo, etc.) Send links to danny.daviz@gmail.com and include your FilmFreeway registration number.

We will accept DVD's or BRD's in the mail but online is preferred.

1) The application fee is non-refundable. DVD's or USB Drives will not be returned unless a prepaid mailer or label is included. By submitting you are agreeing to this and to being completely responsible for any problems which might arise due to any uncleared material (music or other) .

2) There may be distributors present but no distribution is guaranteed.

3) We will have a panel of judges. Winners will be announced on Oct 5th, 2024 The first prize winner in each category will win our NIFA Film Award Trophy or NIFA Certificate.

4) People whose films have been selected will be notified by Sept 28th 2024.

5) Submitted films will not receive a screening fee if screened at the The NIFA Awards.

6) The NIFA Awards in conjunction with the National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Alex Gust

    A wonderful film fest that takes deep consideration of each entry. We are gratefully appreciative to NIFA for honoring us with best screenplay for “Over the River.”

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Alex! Well deserved NIFA winner for "Over the River"!

  • Boudra Ali

    Winning Best International Short Film at this , The wonderful ,international festival was a defining moment in my artistic journey. Thanks to the team and the festival for this recognition.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Boudra Ali! We enjoyed your film!

  • I feel very honored to announce that my faith-base/drama/horror screenplay, At The Mercy Of Faith was a Finalist in NIFA.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Samuel! We enjoyed your screenplays!

  • Thanks for awarding "Enter the Room" for Best Short Film at your festival. I wasn't able to attend the festival in person, but was impressed by the clear and concise communication. Overall, I had a very good experience at this festival and will definitely consider submitting future projects to National Independent Film Association - NIFA Awards.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Harry! "Enter the Room" was very well done! We enjoyed it!

  • We really enjoyed this year's event! Our film "Confessions of a Sailor" was one of the finalists at the 5th Annual NIFA Awards, and we were selected "Best Micro-Budget Film". It took place at the beautiful Warch Cinema on the Lawrence University Campus in Appleton, WI. It was a fun mix of awards night, a film premiere, and a fun wrap party on historic College Avenue.

    A special shoutout and thank you to the organizers, judging panel, and host/founder Dan Davies for a very fine evening with fellow filmmakers and friends.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Kurt! You rock!!!