BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR FILM, PLEASE READ ALL DESCRIPTIONS AND RULES CAREFULLY, AS THEY’RE ESSENTIAL TO YOUR FESTIVAL ELIGIBILITY AND SUCCESS.

Event Description

The Whitaker St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, is the region’s premier venue for films created by local artists. The Showcase features works that were written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives, or by filmmakers and projects with strong local connections.

Programs include full-length narrative features and documentaries, along with curated programs of short fiction and documentary films.

The 2026 Showcase will take place over two weekends, from Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 26. All screenings will be held in person at the Hi-Pointe Theatre.

Awards & Prizes

12 award winning films will receive automatic invitations to the St. Louis International Film Festival.

Best Film - Essy
Best Animated Film
Best Documentary
Best Experimental Film
Best Student Film
Best Director
Best Acting / Narrative
Best Screenplay
Best Horror Film
Best Cinematogrpahy (Narrative or Doc)
Best Comedy
Best First Film (non-student)

Rules & Terms

Conditions for Eligibility

This is a competitive, curated event; submission does not guarantee selection or an invitation.

All films must meet the following requirements:

1. Local connection: The film must be written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives, current residents, or individuals with strong local ties.

2. Premiere status (features): All feature-length films must be a St. Louis theatrical premiere, meaning no previous public, ticketed theatrical screening in the St. Louis metro area (St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and adjacent Illinois counties). Private cast-and-crew screenings and educational classroom use do not count as theatrical screenings.

3. Language: Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

4. Submission materials: Each entry must include:

• A full synopsis
• Complete contact information (mailing address, phone number, email)
• The required entry fee

5. Completion status: Only completed films will be considered; no works in progress.

6. Rights & clearances: Filmmakers are solely responsible for securing all music rights and copyright clearances. Cinema St. Louis (CSL) accepts no responsibility for any legal disputes related to the exhibition of submitted or accepted films.

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE JUNE 1, 2026

All entrants will be notified of the status of their submission by email no later than June 10.

Notification of acceptance or rejection will not include criticism or feedback specific to your entry, except for student filmmakers.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact Emmett Williams at Cinema St. Louis.

IF YOUR FILM IS ACCEPTED

The following are mandatory. Failure to comply with these requirements and deadlines may result in removal from the festival program.

1) Exhibition Format (DCP)
• All films must be submitted in DCP format through our partner, Simple DCP.
• If you have created your own DCP through an online service, you may submit that DCP folder instead.

DCP delivery deadline: June 29, 2026.

2. Filmmaker Agreement & Materials
• A signed Filmmaker Agreement, including:
• An updated film synopsis of no more than three sentences
• Two stills from your film (not behind-the-scenes / production photos)
• Filmmaker details (as requested in the agreement)
Filmmaker Agreement deadline: June 19, 2026.

40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Beth Gallagher

    I attended the Showcase two summers ago as an audience member and a native St. Louisan. This year, I got to attend as a filmmaker. I couldn't have asked for a better film festival experience. Never Hike Alone was so warmly received at the STL Filmmakers Showcase, and I felt so well taken care of. Emmett and Bree, plus the rest of the Showcase and Hi Pointe team, communicated all of the information we needed as soon as they had it-- I would say they sent the perfect amount of emails. And the programming was just unbelievable-- somehow, the quality of each block has just skyrocketed over the last couple of years. I was so proud to see the work that my fellow St. Louisans put on. Thank you, everyone at the STL Filmmakers Showcase!

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Andrew Frechette

    This is a wonderful festival put on by a group of truly passionate cinephiles.

    August 2025
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  • Vijaykumar Mirchandani

    STL Filmmakers Showcase has been an awesome festival. I thank the festival for accepting and screening our film REVERSE. The quality of all the films at the festival was great. The administrative process of the festival was excellent and very inclusive. Emmett is an awesome Festival director and has always been very helpful. This festival is one of the biggest assets of the film community of STL. I encourage all STL-based filmmakers to participate in this festival, if not already doing. The networking sessions helps quite a bit. Looking forward to next year.

    August 2025
    Helpful
  • Tony West

    You can't ask for a better run festival or one that helps promote your film with the media. Always a great experience.

    July 2025
    Helpful
  • Paul Vo Le

    I just want to say thank you for giving my film, Flesh and Blood, an opportunity to be screened at St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase. This is such an amazing event where you can meet local filmmakers, and look at their creations. I thoroughly appreciate all the hard work from the filmmakers, and especially the members at Cinema St. Louis for hosting this fantastic showcase with great professionalism. Highly recommend!

    August 2024
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