New Orleans Film Festival

The Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival is one of the largest and most well-respected film festivals in the country, serving audiences numbering upwards of 25,000, hosting as many as 350 filmmakers, and providing cash awards and prizes valued at over $100,000. The festival has been a mainstay on MovieMaker Magazine’s list of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” since 2012, as well as a regular on the magazine’s list of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.”

NOFF believes in paying artists for their work, and all filmmakers in our lineup—shorts and features alike—receive a screening fee, provided that they supply the festival with all required assets, including closed captions for their film.

AUDIENCE STATISTICS
- The average audience size for each film is 161, with an average of 76 in-person attendees per film and 85 virtual viewers.
- The racial/ethnic background of NOFF audiences, based on 2024 survey results, is as follows: 28% Black, 3% Indigenous, 11% Latinx, 8% Asian, and 46% White.
- 9% of the NOFF audiences identify as part of the disability community.
- 61% of festival goers identify as women, 34% as men, and 5% as non-binary.
- 34% of NOFF audience members identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

2024 NOFF LINEUP STATS
- Directors of film selections represented 41 nationalities.
- The runtime of all short films selected for the NOFF lineup ranged from 4 minutes to 37 minutes, with an average runtime of 14 minutes.
- Louisiana-based directors accounted for 26% of all films in the lineup.
- Films from Black directors accounted for 22% of the lineup, Indigenous directors 4%, Latinx directors 16%, Asian directors 12%, and White directors 38%.
- 47% of films were directed by women, 44% by men, and 4% by non-binary filmmakers.
- 9% of films were directed by someone identifying as part of the disability community.
- 33% of films were directed by someone who identified as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY FILM?
Shortly after you click submit, your film will be assigned to one of the individuals on our programming team in addition to at least two volunteer screeners. These individuals will watch the film, take notes on how the film aligns with what we're seeking, and then discuss the film alongside other submissions as part of regular meetings. A percentage of films (usually around 10%) then advance for further consideration by additional members of our programming team, who then meet again to discuss the film and other finalists. Additional meetings take place to consider all finalists and select the films that will make up the lineup. This work takes place over several months, typically from January to July in a given year.

IF I SUBMIT, WHAT ARE MY FILM’S CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED?
To offer a sense of numbers of likelihood of being selected: In 2024, we received 3100 submissions and selected 140 of those for the NOFF lineup.In 2023, we received 3900 submissions and selected 132 of those films for the NOFF lineup. In 2022, we received 3600 submissions and selected 138 of those films for the NOFF lineup.

WHAT PERCENT OF THE NOFF LINEUP COMES FROM SUBMISSIONS?
We strive to program as much of the lineup as possible from submitted films. In 2024, 90% of the lineup came from FilmFreeway submissions. In 2023, that number was 91% and in 2022, the number was 93%. In each year, the remainder of the lineup was filled mostly by end-of-year “prestige titles” that we worked with studios and distributors to curate.

WILL SOMEONE ACTUALLY VIEW MY SUBMISSION?
Yes. We take the screening process extremely seriously. Every submission is viewed from start to finish at least once by a staff-level member of the NOFF programming team in addition to one to members of our volunteer screening corps, which comprises film industry professionals, filmmakers, avid moviegoers, film students, longtime festival submissions screeners, and New Orleans Film Society staff members.

DO YOU OFFER ANY WAIVERS OR DISCOUNTS ON ENTRY FEES?
We only offer a small number of fee waivers each year, to special cases (e.g. alumni filmmakers, filmmakers based in countries that cannot legally send money to the U.S.). We also work with a number of partner organizations to ensure that underrepresented communities in filmmaking are able to submit free of charge. We are also very generous with offering discounted submission fees, and these are granted on a case-by-case basis. All inquiries regarding discounts should be addressed to noff@neworleansfilmsociety.org. Additionally, NOFF incentivizes filmmakers to submit early (so that we can start the review process early). The earlier you submit, the more affordable the submission price.

WHAT KINDS OF FILMS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
We seek to program a diverse slate that represents a variety of themes and content. We are particularly interested in new work from filmmakers from different backgrounds that have an original point of view and a clear perspective. As for genre, NOFF has no preferences, and our team programs from all genres of film. We regularly screen horror films, comedies, dramas, period pieces, thrillers, etc. No matter what genre you’re working in, your film will be given equal weight and consideration.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL CATEGORY FOR FILMS MADE BY YOUTH?
No, NOFF does not have a designated youth-produced category, but youth are encouraged to submit their work and we regularly program student work.

MY PROJECT IS EPISODIC -- DO YOU HAVE A CATEGORY FOR THAT?
We encourage filmmakers of episodic work to submit the pilot episode in either the narrative short, documentary short or animated short category, depending on where it best fits. In the past, NOFF has programmed both longer, television-length pieces as well as shorter webisodes and other formats. If selected, our programming team will work with the filmmaking teams to determine how many episodes to screen at the festival if more than the pilot is available.

MY PROJECT IS A MUSIC VIDEO - DO YOU HAVE A CATEGORY FOR THAT?
While we don’t have a category specific for music videos, if you feel that your project fits under another short film category, we encourage you to submit.

WOULD IT HELP IF I SENT A PRESS KIT FOR MY FILM?
No. In fact, most press kits submitted with films will be skipped over in favor of simply watching the film itself. However, we do suggest including a cover letter on FilmFreeway explaining why you’re interested in sharing your film with NOFF (do you have some connection to New Orleans? Are you especially interested in reaching a New Orleans audience? Do you think that your film aligns with what we stated we seek out in our Programming Practices? Have you heard good things about NOFF from fellow filmmakers? were you drawn in by our description on a website?). We also like to know more about who is behind the film (what’s your background? why are you telling this story?). That information can be helpful as we make our final decisions.

CAN I EMAIL YOU A VIMEO LINK AS PART OF MY SUBMISSION INSTEAD OF SUBMITTING THROUGH FilmFreeway?
No. Because our submission review process involves almost 70 staff and volunteers, we need the screener of your film to be accessible directly through FilmFreeway, where it can be assigned and tracked throughout the season. It is not helpful to reach out directly through email to members of our programming with information about your film or with a link.

MY FILM WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR. IS IT STILL ELIGIBLE?
In order for the film to be in competition, it must have been completed on or after June 1st, 2023. If your film doesn’t meet this requirement and you would like to petition for an exception, email us with more information at noff@neworleansfilmsociety.org

I SUBMITTED MY FILM LAST YEAR, BUT IT WASN’T ACCEPTED. COULD I RE-SUBMIT THIS YEAR?
We discourage filmmakers from re-submitting their films unless substantial changes have been made. Do you feel that your film is effectively a different film than the version you submitted last year? If not, we suggest that you don’t re-submit it.

DOES NOFF CONSIDER WORKS-IN-PROGRESS?
Yes, we often consider films for selection that aren’t 100% complete, especially cases where films are picture-locked but awaiting final color and/or sound. If this is the case, please indicate so at the beginning of the film or in the description. If you’re confident that your film will shine even with incomplete or missing elements, go ahead and submit. We do not, however, feel comfortable assessing films that are not picture-locked or are missing major scenes.

CAN I SEND AN UPDATED EDIT OF MY SUBMITTED FILM?
If you make substantial changes to your film after it is submitted, you may send us an updated version. However, depending on how far along the film is in our selection process, we cannot guarantee that the newer version will be screened. If you submit a film and then send us a new version months afterward, chances are that the original version will have already been seen by a member of our team, and we don’t have the resources to re-screen a film that’s already been watched and considered. That said, we often revisit films in the final stages of the selection process, so it is possible we will want to see the newer cut. In short, there are no guarantees, but you’re welcome to send it just in case.

IF I SUBMIT LATER IN THE YEAR, ARE MY FILM’S CHANCES OF GETTING SELECTED LOWER?
Our programmers keep all selection slots open until after every film has been screened. So, while we screen and review and discuss submissions continuously, all season long, we don’t make any final decisions about what will screen until after everyone has seen everything and we’re about to announce our lineup for the year. Submitting later in the submissions cycle will not hurt your chances.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET FEEDBACK ON MY FILM ONCE IT HAS BEEN SCREENED?
Our policy is not to offer written evaluations of films submitted to NOFF. The purpose of our review process is to allow our programmers to discover new voices and exciting films with a strong point of view, so it would be against our best interests (and yours) to offer one-size-fits-all advice with the goal of making your film “better.” This is a subjective process, and the decisions of our programming team reflect our own opinions, thoughts, and values. Just because we decide to pass on a film does not mean that we think it is a “bad” or “weak” film.

DOES MY FILM HAVE TO BE A WORLD PREMIERE?
No, NOFF does not require world premiere status. We want your film to reach the audiences it deserves and do not wish to hold it back from that by requiring any kind of premiere status.

WHAT IF MY FILM HAS ALREADY BEEN IN VIRTUAL FESTIVALS?
Not a problem. We’re happy for your film to receive virtual screenings prior to NOFF.

IS MY FILM STILL ELIGIBLE IF IT’S AVAILABLE ONLINE?
Yes. We regularly program submissions that have already gone live on Vimeo or YouTube.

IF SELECTED, WILL MY FILM BE SCREENED IN PERSON OR ONLINE?
We believe in the power of communal viewings that festivals offer and seek that out when possible. In 2025, we are planning to continue a hybrid model, with a combination of in-person screenings, with all invited films screening in-person and all selected films encouraged to take part in virtual screenings as well.

WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF MY FILM HAS BEEN SELECTED TO SCREEN IN THE FESTIVAL?
Our target notification date is August 1, 2025. You can expect to receive an email from us by that date about your film’s status.

IF ACCEPTED, WILL NOFF OFFER A SCREENING FEE FOR MY FILM?
Yes! In 2020, NOFF launched an initiative to pay all accepted filmmakers a screening fee, provided they comply with all requirements, including supplying the festival with closed captions for their film. In 2024, short filmmakers received $125, and feature filmmakers received $250. We intend on continuing to offer screening fees to exhibiting filmmakers in 2025.

IF ACCEPTED, WILL I BE ABLE TO VIEW OTHER FILMS IN THE FESTIVAL?
Yes! All accepted films receive two complimentary All-Access Passes to make the most of the festival, with additional passes for your team members available for purchase at a deep discount.

ARE THERE ANY AWARDS OFFERED BY THE FESTIVAL TO FILMMAKERS?
Every year, the festival offers jury awards to films in different categories. The total value of prizes awarded in 2024 was over $70,000 in camera packages, film stock, production services, cash, and software.

WHO DECIDES WHICH FILMS WIN THE JURY AWARDS?
Three jurors are chosen for each film category and they come to a decision regarding which film will win the jury prize. Jurors for these awards represent leaders in the industry, including the representatives from NBCUniversal, American Documentary, Center for Asian American Media, Kickstarter, ITVS, Hulu, Full Spectrum Features, Firelight Media, Vision Maker Media, Marginal Mediaworks, Seed&Spark, HBO, and others.

HAVE A QUESTION THAT’S NOT COVERED HERE?
Email us at noff@neworleansfilmsociety.org, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.