ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Moviemaker magazine, in its spring 2008 issue, listed the Route 66 Film Festival as one of the 25 festivals worth the entry fee. Ours was also a featured festival at the 2009 International Film Festival Summit in Las Vegas.

The Route 66 Film Festival began in 2002 as a part of the Mother Road Festival, celebrating the vehicles and history of the famous highway. It is currently a separate event from the car show. We have screened films from many countries, including Belgium, France, South Africa, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Great Britain, Uruguay, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

We celebrate diversity and welcome films of all lengths and genres. We like good stories that inform and touch us. Judges select films for official awards. This is a festival that has something for everyone.

Several films screened at our festival have subsequently received distribution on Netflix and gone on to be honored at other festivals. We are proud that three of the short films screened at our festival have also been nominated for Oscars.

All entries selected for the festival will receive 2 free passes to the festival. Film makers are invited and encouraged to attend to interact with other film makers and the audience.

Trophies will be awarded for judges' choices in various categories including Best of Fest. The committee reserves the right to not present awards in all categories and to add categories for films that merit special recognition.

GENERAL RULES
Rules for Films
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1. Films can be any length, any genre with the following exceptions: Only films under 30 minutes will be accepted in the genres of Animation, Experimental, and Student Showcase; and features longer than 100 minutes are discouraged. Features of 90 minutes are strongly encouraged.
2. We encourage filmmakers to select no more than 2 genres; one primary and one secondary.
3. Films should feature some kind of journey--physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual.
4. Submissions may be submitted online or on NTSC DVD in Region 0 or Region 1 format. If submitting via DVD, please indicate FilmFreeway tracking number and running time on the DVD.
5. If a film is selected for the festival, the film maker must provide a file of either .MP4 or .MOV a minimum of 10 days before the Festival's opening night. DVDs will not be accepted for showing at the Festival.
6. Submit a separate entry for each film submission.
7. While Foreign language films must have English subtitles, all filmmakers are encouraged to provide subtitles to encourage inclusivity. White letters with black outlines are strongly recommended for maximum readability.
8. Student fees apply to students in elementary and secondary schools, as well as students in colleges, universities and film schools.
9. DVDs will not be returned.
10. Submissions must be postmarked by August 15, 2024. Make checks payable to Route 66 Film Festival.
11. If submitting by DVD for consideration, send DVD, application form, fee, and a short bio of the filmmaker in padded, secure packaging to:

Route 66 Film Festival
P.O. Box 5010
Springfield, IL 62701

12. Filmmaker should suggest an MPAA rating for their film. Ratings do not disqualify films from consideration. We like to schedule films for appropriate audiences.
13. Biographical and synopsis information is required when submitting via FilmFreeway or by mailed application.

Terms and Conditions:
Filmmakers hereby grant the Route 66 Film Festival the right to utilize, for promotional purposes, any film submitted and/or accepted to the Festival, either in its entirety or an excerpt thereof.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby agrees that, unless said film is withdrawn prior to the close date for submissions, (August 15, 2024) if selected for the festival, the filmmaker will provide to the festival a copy of the film in .MP4 or .MOV format no later than 10 days prior to the Festival's opening night.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Route 66 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.

Fees will not be waived except at the discretion of the Board.

Films will not be returned.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gregory Maassen

    We had an excellent experience screening our film at the Route 66 Film Festival, where professionalism and passion for independent filmmaking were evident in every detail.

    The film festival director’s outstanding communication made us feel welcomed and valued, with clear and timely responses throughout the screening process.

    The Route 66 Film Festival is well-organized, engaging, and community-driven—a must-attend for anyone passionate about independent film.

    Highly recommended if you want your film to be judged by an independent expert jury and screened in front of an engaging audience.

    November 2024
  • I had a lot of fun! The host of Route 66 Film Fest were all so friendly and welcoming! Popcorn was also great! Happy my film 'A Trip to somewhere Else' could be a part of it!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Maria, you were a delight to talk with, and your animation was wonderful and so decidedly "out of this world." I know you will continue making more, and we look forward to seeing them. -- Lana

  • Parker Croft

    Being part of the Route 66 Film Festival was an amazing experience. Although we couldn’t attend due to scheduling conflicts, we were really impressed by the festival’s exceptional support and dedication to both the films and filmmakers. Their professionalism truly made a lasting impression.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Parker! And, indeed, your film, As Easy as Closing Your Eyes, has made a lasting impression on me. A truly different idea which the reviewers always enjoy. I'll never think of those addiction groups again without thinking of your new "addiction." We look forward to more films from you. --Lana

  • Thank you for inviting Darcine's Day to your festival. It was a honor to be included with so many great films.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Darcine's Day was an amazing Debut film and well deserved the award. Aaron, we look forward to more films from you!

  • Meezahn Senbetta

    Route 66 is truly an amazing festival run by incredibly thoughtful and kind people. Lana and the entire team made my co-director and I immediately feel welcome after a rush hour drive to Springfield from Chicago (the drive was totally worth it!). We are incredibly honored that our short film "Hand Job" won the "Hugh Moore Best of Fest" award. We'll be wearing our Rout 66 Film Fest t-shirts proudly and spreading the word about this lovely festival!

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Meezahn, we are so glad you and Davis were able to attend, you made the Festival better! As did your truly unique film, "Hand Job." Hugh would be so pleased you received "his" award. All the best to you in future endeavors, and to the whole team it took to handle the logistics of your film! -- Lana