Celebrate LOVE-THEMED short films for the 9th Annual REEL LOVE FILM FESTIVAL!

Student Submission Fee: $10
Indie Submission Fee: $20

Event Entrance Fee: FREE!

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, February 6th
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location: Contra Costa Cinema, 555 Center Ave, Martinez, CA 94553

Film Submission Guidelines

Deadline for Submissions:
Films must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, January 26th.

Notification of Acceptance:
Filmmakers whose works are selected for the festival will be notified by Monday, January 27th.

Event Highlights:
The festival will culminate in a live question-and-answer session and an Awards Ceremony immediately following the screenings, which will celebrate the outstanding achievements of participating filmmakers.

We eagerly await your submissions and look forward to an evening of inspiring filmography and artistic expression.

Winning filmmakers will be presented with TROPHIES for each category.

Everyone can submit a film and compete for the Audience Choice Award.
However, only films in or near the CA BAY AREA are eligible for category awards.

The REEL LOVE FILM FESTIVAL originated as a platform for artists to celebrate their cinematic achievements with loved ones and fellow film filmmakers.

Don't wait! Send in your short films – we would LOVE to see them!

Awards & Prizes

As part of our ongoing commitment to honor and celebrate the artistry of filmmakers, the Reel Love Film Festival is delighted to announce the following award categories:

*Best Comedic Performance
*Best Dramatic Performance
*Best Writing
*Best Cinematography
*Best Sound Design
*Best Editing
*Best Directing
*Best In Festival
*Best Original Score
*Audience Choice Award

Eligibility for Awards

Keeping with the festival's focus on nurturing local talent, these awards are exclusively open to filmmakers in the California Bay Area.

Depending on the films submitted, we try to have at least half the submissions be student films. This is an integral part of our initiative to foster and recognize emerging cinematic talent at the grassroots level.

Note on Trophy Distribution:
Please be advised that trophies will not be mailed at the festival's expense. Award recipients are requested to make arrangements to collect their trophies.

Rules & Terms

1) Duration Limit: Films submitted should not exceed 15 minutes. (That includes credits)

2) Genre Diversity: "Love" themed. This could be romantic love, family love, friendship, self-love, or any other form of love.

3) Selection Process: Submission of a film does not automatically ensure its acceptance into the festival. Filmmakers will be informed of their submission status by Sunday, January 26th.

4) Content Guidelines: All submissions must be appropriate for a general audience. Please refrain from including extreme gore or explicit sexual content.

5) Submission Fee: The submission fees are allocated toward funding the awards.

6) Eligibility for Student Entries: To qualify as a student submission, the film must have been created during the filmmaker's enrollment in either a high school or college. Films do not need to be part of a school assignment. Graduates are eligible, provided the film was made during their student years.

7) Multiple Submissions: Filmmakers may submit multiple projects. However, only one film per director will be selected for screening. Films may have overlapping producers, cast, or crew members.

8) No Refunds: Please note that submission fees are non-refundable.

9) Judging and Awards: Our panel of judges will pre-select the winners for each category before the event. The Audience Choice Award will be an exception, as votes from festival attendees will determine it.

10) Language and Subtitles: If the film is not in English, it should be subtitled in English. This is important for ensuring accessibility and understanding among a diverse audience.

11) Filmmaker Attendance: If possible, encourage filmmakers to attend the festival for networking and Q&A sessions. This enhances the festival experience for both the audience and the filmmakers.