The Past Present Feature Film Festival is a curated, three-day showcase of cinematic storytelling across time - highlighting overlooked gems, current festival hits, and future feature films in the making.

Sponsored by The Past Present Feature podcast and Leica Camera, all films will be screened in Hollywood, CA, from November 19-21

Why it’s different: The festival bridges the full spectrum of cinema, honoring legacy films, championing today's voices, and platforming the bold ideas of tomorrow. It’s not just a festival, it’s a cinematic time machine.

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THE PAST:
Spotlights 3 overlooked or under-recognized feature films that deserve renewed attention and discovery.

THE PRESENT:
Screens 3 of the most talked-about, buzzy new films from the festival circuit or current theatrical releases.

THE FUTURE:
Presents 6 of the most compelling proof-of-concept shorts, sizzles, or trailers - early glimpses into bold, visionary films in development.

Awards & Prizes

The festival culminates with the AUDIENCE AWARD, honoring the most well-received film across all categories - past, present, or future. Chosen by the audience, whose voices define the spirit of the festival.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

Future Spotlight Section: Open to short films, sizzles, trailers, or proof-of-concept works tied to a feature currently in development.

Present Spotlight Section: Open to completed feature-length films (40 minutes or longer) that had their world premiere at a major film festival within the past year.

Past Spotlight Section: Open to completed feature-length films deserving renewed exposure or critical reappraisal.

Runtime
Future Spotlight: 1 to 20 minutes
Present & Past Spotlight: Feature-length (40 minutes or longer)

Completion Date
Future Spotlight: Completed within the past 5 years

Present Spotlight: Must have premiered at a major festival (e.g. Sundance, TIFF, Cannes, Berlin, SXSW, etc.) within the past 12 months

Past Spotlight: No time restriction, but priority given to under-recognized or overlooked works

Language
Non-English films must include English subtitles.

Submission Format
All entries must be submitted via a secure online screener (e.g., Vimeo or FilmFreeway upload). No physical media is accepted.

Multiple Entries
Filmmakers may submit multiple works, each with its own entry fee.

Rights & Clearances
Entrants must hold the rights to all submitted materials or have secured all necessary permissions, including for music and third-party content.

Exhibition
Selected works may be screened in-person in Hollywood and/or as part of a virtual showcase. Excerpts may be used for promotional purposes. All in-person screenings will utilize Leica’s Cine 1 Play projector.

Entry Fees
All entry fees are non-refundable.

Selection & Notification
Final selection is at the discretion of the festival programming team. All entrants will be notified of their status by the listed notification date.