This is the 7th annual PopCon International Film Festival (PIFF) competition for PopCon, but we are in our 13th year as a physical convention. The film festival begins Friday, May 8, 2026 and concludes Sunday, May 10, 2026.

PopCon prides itself as being Indy's "only" locally owned and operated large pop culture fan event. PopCon will be programming a full-lineup film festival. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their short/feature film in multiple genres. The film festival will be honoring films of several pop culture genres, including but NOT limited to: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy, Anime/Animation, Horror, Action/Adventure, Fan Film, Supernatural/Thriller, Documentary, Internet Culture & Gaming/Sports.

PopCon continues to bring some of the largest names in pop culture to Indianapolis each year, but the event’s true mission is to give creators – of all kinds – a platform to find new audiences. Instead of focusing on one specific fandom, PopCon flips the script on the typical con experience by focusing on all genres of pop culture fandom. The film festival is an obvious expansion of that mission.

The film festival will be in addition to all the other programming at PopCon over the event’s weekend. The 11th Annual PopCon Podcast Awards, the 13th Annual Ultimate Cosplay Championships, and dozens of fan panels and workshops will be alongside video gaming, laser tag, escape rooms, state-of-the-art virtual reality offerings, and 24-hour board gaming. PopCon will also continue to have the best selection of vendors for fans to enjoy.

Awards & Prizes

Each Official Selection will receive the following:
One (1) Three-day Pass (in-person event admission) to Indy PopCon (full convention & film festival) and a discount code for additional passes.

Award trophies and certificates will be given for the following:
-Best Indiana Film
-Best Feature
-Best Short
-Best International Film
-Best Comedy
-Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
-Best Action/Adventure
-Best Thriller
-Best Horror
-Best Fan Film
-Best Animated Film
-Best Drama
-Best Documentary
-Best Music Video
-Best Student Film
-Best Director
-Best Actress
-Best Actor
-Best Sound Design
-Best 1st Time Filmmaker
-Best Story
-Best Costuming
-Best Production Design
-Best Cinematography
-Best Special Effects (SFX)
-Best Original Score
-Best Editing
-Best Ensemble Cast
-Best Villain
-Best Hero

All films accepted into the festival are in the running for all awards that apply to them! (For example: A film with one actor is not eligible for Best Ensemble Cast)

Rules & Terms

***PLEASE READ ALL RULES & TERMS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR FILM***

PopCon International Film Festival is excited to consider your short film of 40 minutes or less or your feature film over 40 minutes in length within the categories of, but not limited to; Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Comedy, Horror, Animation, Fan Films, and more!

Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway. Please submit a digital copy of your film. Please upload trailers and posters as well.

We accept films produced after May 2021.

In the interest of fair competition to all that submit their films PopCon does NOT offer free submission waivers.

Please submit the version you want judged. We do not allow alternate versions to be submitted without being subject to another entrance fee.

By submitting your film to the PopCon International Film Festival you acknowledge and authorize the use of materials for promotional use which includes but is not limited to excerpts and images. You also agree to hold the PopCon International Film Festival harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and damages as a result of entry.

All films not in English must have English subtitles.

Films can be nominated for multiple awards. PopCon reserves the right to eliminate a category if there are not enough viable nominations.

PopCon reserves the rights to disqualify any submission without refund and PopCon does not allow any refunds once a film has been submitted.

Films that have been acquired, produced, financed or distributed by any major motion picture studio(s) or production company(s), at the time of screening, will not be accepted into the festival.

By submitting, artists agree to all terms set forth in the rules.

Entering your film is considered giving the PopCon International Film Festival permission to screen your film during the course of the event.

PopCon International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition prior, during, or after PopCon for promotional purposes.

The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless PopCon and PopCon International Film Festival 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.

SUBMISSION SUGGESTIONS:
Please include the following items when submitting your film:
1) Poster
2) Stills from the Film/Set pictures
3) Trailer- not required but highly recommended even for shorts (limit trailers to 90s)
4) Complete the Filmmaker Biography section in FilmFreeway
56 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Luke and Martha Van Garza

    Many thanks to this festival for selecting our short film, SOUS VIDE. It was truly an honor to be chosen to screen with so many quality films.

    November 2025
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  • Vicky Wanless

    Love love this festival. Great communication, was offered passes unfortunatly in Australia so couldn't make it but would have loved to be there. Will definately enter again in the future. Thank you for awarding Afterglow with Best International Film. The cast and crew were over the moon.

    July 2025
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  • Noelle P. Wilson

    PopCon is one of the more unique and fun festivals - given the surrounding activities!
    The screening room set-up was top notch, as was the extremely thoughtful programming. It was very clear from the screening blocks through the awards ceremony that Nicholas puts an immense amount of time into this festival and has a deep respect for every aspect of filmmaking.
    I hope this festival continues to grow and gain the recognition it deserves.

    July 2025
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  • Glenn Sweitzer

    PopCon was a blast—like stumbling into the best party you didn’t know you needed. Winning Best Director was just the bonus prize in a weekend full of smiles. Grateful Trail Mix got to tag along for the fun!

    July 2025
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  • Jacob Bartlett

    Great festival! Had a lot of fun and the organizers were super kind.

    June 2025
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