It's Time To Celebrate You
The 2026 Queens Underground International Film Festival & The South Carolina Black Film Festival

Date & Location:
Saturday–Sunday, 10/10/2026–10/11/2026
Featured At The South Carolina State Museum, Downtown Columbia, SC

Submissions are open for the 2026 Season where Independent Filmmakers shine on the Big Screen. This Season will be hosted as more of a Conference with Discussions and 3 (three) Workshops to learn, increase capacity and share knowledge. Indie Filmmakers are the artists of the Big Screen who are our Voice and represent our Voices , reflecting the world around us.

Open for Drama, Action, Comedy, Sci Fi, Animation, Horror, Ai, Verticals and Historical Reenactments, let's see you on the Big Screen on October 10th and 11th. in the midst of major Industry and Societal changes.

With over 20 Film Festivals and Movie Nights, we've partnered with the South Carolina Black Film Festival to expand your reach and enjoy the hospitality, scenery and activities of the South. Welcoming first‑time creators, seasoned pros, and anyone who loves original cinema. The dress theme this Season is the "Black Cowboy on the Red Carpet". Grab your Cowboy gear and meet us at the Museum.

What to expect:
-Screenings across genres, spotlighting independent and Black cinema
-Three interactive "How To" workshops
-A Panel & A Roundtable with industry guests and filmmakers
-Networking opportunities for creators and fans
-Awards and special recognition for standout shorts and features
-Free Museum Entry and Free Parking

Who should attend:
Filmmakers, actors, producers, industry professionals, students, critics, and Movie Lovers.

Click to Submit today and take advantage of Early Bird Discounts while we look forward to hosting you and your Team at the next Festival where your Talent takes Center Stage.

AWARDS CATEGORIES:
-Best Drama
-Documentary Short
-Best Sci Fi
-Best Horror
-Best Ai
-Best Comedy
-Best Animation
-Best Historical Reenactment
-Best Western
-Best Web Series Episode
-Best Vertical Movie
-Best Actress
-Best Actor
-Best Cinematography

PLEASE NOTE: THE SOUTH CAROLINA BLACK FILM FESTIVAL AND THE QUEENS UNDERGROUND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ARE THE SAME FESTIVAL.

Submit several entries or submit to several categories by following the requirements and submitting within the deadlines.

Open Invitation to submit from Anywhere in the World!

Follow Us On Instagram: @Queens_Underground_Film_Fest

Email: QueensUnderground718@gmail.com

Visit: QueensUndergroundFilmFestival.com to learn more and stay updated, enter, and purchase screening tickets.

Awards & Prizes


Awards For:
-Best Drama
-Documentary Short
-Best Sci Fi
-Best Horror
-Best Ai
-Best Comedy
-Best Animation
-Best Historical Reenactment
-Best Western
-Best Web Series Episode
-Best Vertical Movie
-Best Actress
-Best Actor
-Best Cinematography

Note:
-If there are fewer than 3 projects for a Category, a winner may or may not be selected.

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

Please read all of the Rules and Terms.

1. Group Emails are sent via the FilmFreeway Platform and often go to your Spam and/or Promotions Tab. It is important that you receive all of the information and adhere to deadlines.

2. Filmmakers may submit from anywhere in the world. Non-English Audio Must have English Subtitles. You can submit as an individual, group, organization, club, program, institution, or small business.

3. Both Your Movie & Trailer file must be a Downloadable mp4 or mov File, we do not stream from other Platforms during a Festival such as YouTube or Vimeo. If your project is not Downloadable by the Deadline Date, even if you have been Selected, your Project will Not Be Screened at the Festival.

4. Standard Vertical Movie Posters are a Requirement and must include a Title.

5. A Trailer is Required for any Project over three (3) minutes.

6. ** Once Again, Pay attention to the deadline dates, if your submission process is still incomplete by the final deadline, your project will not be Screened at the Festival..**

7. Make sure to add all of your Contact Information: Name, Email, Country, City, State, Phone Number, Social Media Handles, etc.

8. We "Follow" and continue to support you forever and we hope the same from you! Follow Us On Instagram: @Queens_Underground_Film_Fest. We will continue to follow and support you long after the Festival and hope that you will do the same.

9. You may always start uploading now to take advantage of discounts and then complete all of the uploading before the Deadline.

10. GOLD DISCOUNTS: You may only use one (1) of any Discount Code Per Entry. If you are a Gold Member, you may not use more than One (1) discount code per made.

11. CATEGORIES:
Rated "R" Projects:
While we accept "Rated R" content, however, we can only publicly Screen projects that won't offend a general audience. This includes lyrics in projects as well.

12. Refunds will not be issued.

13. Absolutely No hate, no inflammatory nor discriminatory content accepted for visuals, verbalizations or lyrics.

14. PLEASE NOTE:
You may submit to any category or to as many categories as you wish.
If the audio is not English, accurate subtitling in English must be included for all characters and sounds.

15. **You Understand and Agree that you are giving us full permission to use any or all of the materials you have submitted to promote, advertise, market, and Screen publicly before, during and after the Festival and on any or all of our media platforms.

16. Queens Underground Reserves The Right, to remove or delete your submission for Cause and Without Notice and without limitations where any instances of non-compliance have occurred.

17. You will also be notified of any changes for dates and policies - please make sure that you are receiving and checking junk and social email folders for notices.
-If you do not read or speak English - you are responsible to find and utilize a translator or translation App.

18. All communication with the Festival Team must be in English. Queens Underground does not accept responsibility for any Non-English miscommunications. -Translations for your submissions must be accurate and exact. Any entry with misrepresented subtitles will be removed immediately.

19. The order of Movies Screened at the Festival and Virtually are Subject to Change.

20. Submitting with a Discount Code that you are not eligible to use, will immediately disqualify your submission.

-Check for Updates at QueensUndergroundFilmFestival.com
-Email: QueensUnderground718@gmail.com

THANK YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING YOUR PROJECT!!


32 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rihki Kennebrew

    The Queens Underground International Black History Film Festival feels less like an event and more like a gathering of memory keepers. The communication from the team was clear, timely, and respectful of filmmakers’ time and work — which already sets a tone of care before arrival. Once inside the space, the hospitality carried that same intention. You are welcomed as a contributor to culture, not simply content on a schedule.

    The audience was engaged and present, and conversations extended beyond screenings into meaningful dialogue and connection. Networking here didn’t feel transactional — it felt communal. Artists, organizers, and viewers shared space in a way that honored both craft and cultural responsibility.

    This festival understands that film is not only entertainment; it is preservation, education, and activation. The programming reflects that awareness, centering stories that expand historical consciousness while embracing innovation in form and voice.

    For filmmakers whose work carries history, identity, or social reflection, this festival provides alignment — not just exposure. It is a space where your film is seen, heard, and contextualized.

    I would gladly return and encourage others creating intentional cinema to submit.

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Deirdre Molloy

    Delighted to have my film Drum Calls selected for this festival. Could not attend because the team is based in Europe, but felt very welcome and impressed with the programming and communication. Loses one start on comms/networking because submissions were based on the expectation that the festival would be in Queens, New York and it was not! But the South Carolina Museum venue still sounds impressive. Thanks to all the team!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Carmina Cordelia

    I’m so grateful to the Queens Underground International Film Festival for selecting my short film Soul Tide to be screened. It’s a wonderful festival that celebrates creativity and diverse storytelling, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to have Soul Tide included among such inspiring works.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Rita Weyls

    Very nice and responsive crew. Thanks so much for official selection. Greatly appreciated.
    Rita Weyls

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Elana Frankel

    Incredible experience with creative filmmakers and supportive people. Honored to have won Best Doc and thrilled to have made new industry contacts.

    April 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    What can we see Elana, having you in attendance for the Filmmakers Panels and the Film Festival was so much fun. Thank you for bringing great information for an important subject; along with fun energy!