As a filmmaker, you've been beaten, bruised, and bloodied-both figuratively and literally-while making films. We should celebrate your work.

Welcome to the Nitty Gritty Film Festival, an unconventional film competition inviting filmmakers to showcase their unique stories and cinematic visions. Participants compete for coveted championship belts in the main award categories, and earn obvious bragging rights with them.

Event is to be held at the newly renovated Icon Cinema in Ponca City, OK.

Nitty Gritty celebrates the art of audiovisual storytelling, showcasing short films from students, Oklahoma filmmakers, and voices beyond our state.

We prioritize innovation and vision over credentials, creating an inclusive platform where every frame matters, and every story deserves the chance to be seen.

Awards & Prizes

Title belts for:

Best of Fest
Best Oklahoma Short
Best Performance
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Score/Sound Design

Some other surprise awards not listed above will be given as medals; to be determined and developed after watching all of your films.

(Note about awards: If you are not available to accept your award in-person during the awards ceremony, you will receive a printable pdf award in lieu of the championship belt. Medals can be mailed out to you if you were not in attendance to accept.)

Sidenote- Some Honorable Mentions will be selected early and played at one of our many pop-up screenings happening prior to festival day (with submitters approval), held in various locations. This festival wants to provide a way for films selected as Honorable Mentions to still show to an audience. Honorable Mentions will be out of the runnings for festival day awards, but they have earned the chance to be shown.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:

FILM LENGTH:

SHORT FILMS ONLY; 20 minutes or less.

OWNERSHIP:
This shouldn’t have to be mentioned. Submitters must own the rights to the film/s they are submitting.

Films need to be completed; no works in progress.

Non English submissions MUST be subtitled

There are no subject matter restrictions. Any genre, any quality, old/new, never before seen or seen 100x; throw it in the ring. If you made it and you’re proud of it, submit it.

Submit what you want, but understand obvious things may prevent your film from screening if it’s that absurd. We might like it, but that doesn’t mean we should show it so use your best judgement.

SUBMISSION FEES:

Free Fitty Free, tomorrow and today. Submit away (only free until February 14, 2026).
Student Films remain free to submit until Memorial Day weekend (MUST provide proof of student status).

STUDENT FILMS:
Students MUST provide proof of student status (copy of student ID) at the time of production. A photo of the ID is to be uploaded in your production stills section of your film on FilmFreeway. Films submitted within the Student Film category without ID will not be considered / will be disqualified.

OKLAHOMA FILMS:
Films submitted in the Oklahoma film category MUST HAVE verifiable ties to the state of Oklahoma. Your film will be disqualified if we ask for proof and you can't / don't provide it.

MUSIC VIDEOS:
8 minutes or less. Other than that, anything goes.

Each submitter can submit a maximum of 3 films/videos in one festival year.

By submitting you agree to allow Nitty Gritty the use of your film, or clips of your film (for promotional and viewing purposes only).
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Cary Cody

    Wonderful festival! Great communication, fantastic theater for the screenings, fun crowd and great choices for films!

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Cary! And thank you to you and Orrin for being in attendance, and congratulations on Birthday Bash!

  • Mike Pappa

    Great festival. Pleasure to have my film screen here.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Mike! Your submissions to our festival have been so appreciated and have enhanced the experience for everyone involved. We hope we get to see more of your work!