The Rialto Family Film Festival will take place at the historic Rialto Theater in Searcy, Arkansas, on May 2-3, 2025.

The festival's mission is to provide a space where families can experience the artistry of independent cinema. We aim to curate and showcase high-quality films that are accessible to all ages. We welcome both children's films and faith-based films (in fact, we have a category for the latter) but by no means limit the festival to those genres - we invite filmmakers to submit any works that meet our criteria below.

We're hosting the festival in the Rialto Theater, a historic movie theater that has been in continuous operation since it was first constructed in the early 1920's. The festival is a two-day event which will host panels of experts, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, food trucks, and of course, lots of films.

Awards & Prizes

The films will compete for the following prizes:

Best Feature Film - $3,000
Best Short Film - $1,000
Best Faith-Based Film - $1,000

Films submitted to multiple categories are eligible to win more than one prize.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:

1. Films must be the original work of the applicant and must not infringe on any copyrights, trademarks, or rights of any third parties.
2. Submitted films do not have to be "children's films." However, the film's content must not exceed that which would be allowed by a "PG" rating. The festival's selection panel has discretion in determining whether a movie's content would be allowed under a "PG" rating. For more information on rating classifications, please see pages 5-7 of the MPAA's rating guidelines - https://www.filmratings.com/Content/Downloads/rating_rules.pdf
3. All non-English films must include English subtitles.
4. We welcome documentary films - however, we ask that you submit as a feature film or short film depending on the runtime.
4. Films completed after January 1, 2022, are eligible for submission.

Categories:

1. Feature Films: 40 minutes or longer.
2. Short Films: Up to 40 minutes.
3. Faith-Based Films: Any length, films that reflect or explore themes of faith, spirituality, and positive moral values, with an emphasis on Christianity.

Submission Process:

1. All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway by the specified deadline.
2. Multiple submissions are allowed, but each entry must be submitted separately.
3. Submission fees are non-refundable.
4. Submission to the Rialto Family Film Festival does not guarantee inclusion in the festival. All selected films will be notified via FilmFreeway.

Rights & Clearances:

By submitting a film, the applicant guarantees that they have obtained all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions for the content, including music, images, and performances.

Selection & Screening:

1. Films will be reviewed by a selection committee. Selected films will be screened at the Rialto Family Film Festival at the Rialto Theater on May 2-3, 2025.
2. The festival reserves the right to place films in alternative categories or programs.
3. The festival may use selected clips, trailers, or still images from submitted films for promotional purposes.

Amendments:

1. The Family Film Festival reserves the right to amend these rules and terms at any time. Any changes will be communicated to participants via the FilmFreeway platform.
2. By submitting a film to the Rialto Family Film Festival, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these rules and terms.