THIRD ACTion Film Festival celebrates aging and older adults (seniors) while helping to create an age-positive culture shift and encourage everyone to envision their best third act possible.

2024 will be our sixth festival.

We look for full-length films, documentaries, animation and shorts that feature older adults (60+) in leading roles or address issues relevant to older adults.

Starting in late 2020, the Festival will also have online screenings outside of the festival dates. If the festival is interested in using a film submitted via FilmFreeway for these screenings, they will reach out to the contact listed in the submission.

Also, due to the nature of our programming, the Festival may sometimes approach past years' entrants to seek permission to use film submitted for previous festivals in the current year.

Best Short - $1,000
Audience Favorite - $1,000
Resiliency in Aging - $1,000

1. Films must feature older adults (60+) in leading roles or deal with seniors’ issues. Films should dispel stereotypes about aging and educate viewers about aging in an entertaining and compelling manner. Intergenerational stories that include an older adult are welcome.
2. Sending an entry to THIRD ACTion Film Festival implies acceptance of the Rules and Regulations.
3. Films may be converted from their submitted format to a format that works for playback of the film for the festival.
4. English language films, if at all possible, should be subtitled for our deaf and hard of hearing patrons.
5. Foreign language films MUST provide a version with English subtitles.
6. Entries can be of any duration.
7. Filmmakers are responsible to securing ALL copyright clearance to film content.
8. All music rights must be cleared before films are submitted. Consent of performers and/or persons appearing in the film must be obtained before films are submitted.
9. Completed works only. If selected the festival will only accept the same film as was submitted and not an updated version.
10. Films should be completed after Jan 1, 2020.
11. THIRD ACTion has no premier status requirements. Films shown prior to the festival or films online are welcome to submit.
12. Absolutely NO pornographic or illegal content will be tolerated.
13. Film makers are responsible for submitted material.
14. Entrants grant the Festival organizers permission to use excerpts, not exceeding three minutes, for promotional purposes in various media, trade shows, and potential venues.
15. Successful entrants are required to supply promotional materials, such as still images and trailers, for the purpose of promoting the film.
16. Entrants grant the Festival organizers the right to copy the entry in part or in its entirety in any media format to facilitate the operation or promotion of the Festival.
17. The entrant acknowledges and agrees that all matters not covered by these Rules and Regulations, and questions arising from them, will be decided at the sole discretion of the Festival organizers.
18. Submission fees are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Incredible festival. so thrilled that Pacing the Pool was part of this. Loved seeing the judges comments

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Jay Jay. We loved Pacing the Pool. Inspirational.

  • With a festival that caters for a very particular niche, it's great work they do to curate a strong programme and are very well engaged. We were lucky to have our client Bring Back My Bonnie screen for the 2024 edition.

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for submitting Bring Back My Bonnie and for commenting. We were lucky to be able to show this film.

  • Clint Butler

    It was very special to attend THIRD ACTion - my first film festival as an independent filmmaker. I was asked to participate as a guest speaker and the audience was very engaged. The venue was beautiful and Mitzi and her team have been great communicators. A top-notch festival experience. Thank you!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Clint! It was great to work with you and I know the audience really appreciated having the chance to talk with you. It is also great to see that Mudder's Hands is getting lots of festival play!

  • Mary Trunk

    Very well organized. Communication is clear, positive, and encouraging. A real pleasure to be a part of.

    June 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much Mary! It was a pleasure working with you and showing your film!

  • Sophie Dia Pegrum

    The programmers and staff at THIRD ACTion have been organized and communicative from the outset and I was very honored to received the BEST SHORT FILM award for "The Last Lullaby" as well as hear about audience feedback. A lovely experience!

    June 2022
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    Response from festival:

    So glad you enjoyed working with us and thank you so much for the review!