Thomas Edison Film Festival

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Thomas Edison Film Festival (TEFF) is an international touring festival with an abiding commitment to the short form. We seek out and celebrate independent and innovative short films. Not a conventional destination film festival – we are a socially conscious traveling festival, reaching out to diverse audiences with provocative, timely, and compelling new works.

Across our five eligible genres, we showcase films that foster global awareness and celebrate diversity, including stories from historically underrepresented communities such as Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian voices, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people with disabilities.

TEFF is proud to be an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival for animation and experimental shorts, and a Canadian Screen Awards Qualifying Festival. We provide a platform for accomplished and emerging artists emphasizing artistic excellence and promoting empathy and engagement through films that both teach and entertain.

Our annual collection of international films is screened to audiences throughout the world virtually and in person. In-person venues in the US include the National Gallery of Art, DC; Lewis Center for the Arts – Princeton University; Anthology Film Archives; Glimmerglass Film Days, Cooperstown, NY; Hoboken Historical Museum; Syracuse University; University of Delaware; Savannah College of Art & Design; Towson University; University of Colorado – Boulder, Rowan University; and many more.

TEFF offers a variety of in-person and on-line events throughout each touring season. Given our extensive annual tour throughout the US, opportunities to meet and greet audiences are considerable. Please note - We DO NOT offer fixed stipends for travel, housing or speaking at TEFF events. We DO NOT provide rental or screening fees. Submission fees are NEVER waived.

TEFF always notifies filmmakers when their film has been chosen to screen at either an in-person or virtual event.

The collection is perpetually available for online screening and a work description of each winning film is included in our annual print and digital booklet - a comprehensive and scholarly publication which lists and describes the selected works and awards.

TEFF is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Student Filmmakers category as part of the 46th Annual Festival Tour. This new addition to TEFF is open only to students attending a US college or university. Student filmmakers MUST upload their official college ID as part of the submission process.

TEFF INDEPENDENT & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS:

*Jury's Stellar Award for Animation
Jury's Stellar Award for Documentary
*Jury's Stellar Award for Experimental
Jury's Stellar Award for Narrative
Jury's Stellar Award for Screen Dance
Global Insights Stellar Award - Demonstrating insight into global issues
DEAI Stellar Award - Demonstrating insight into diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
Jury's Choice Award - 1st prize
Jury's Citation Award - 2nd prize
Director's Choice Award - 3rd prize
Honorable Mention - 4th prize

*Please note - The Jury's Stellar Awards for Animation and/or Experimental are eligible for Academy Award® consideration.

TEFF COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY AWARDS:

Jury's Stellar Award for Animation
Jury's Stellar Award for Documentary
Jury's Stellar Award for Experimental
Jury's Stellar Award for Narrative
Jury's Choice Award
Jury's Citation Award
Made in New Jersey Award - Students only. Film must have been created (shot, edited, etc.) primarily in the State of NJ.

TEFF RULES & TERMS FOR INDEPENDENT & INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKER SUBMISSIONS:

1. We accept short films of all genres under 45 minutes. SHORT FILMS UNDER 15 MINUTES RECEIVE FOREMOST CONSIDERATION!
2. ENTRY FEES ARE NEVER WAIVED.
3. TEFF DOES NOT PAY RENTAL OR SCREENING FEES.
4. All applicants must complete the official festival submission form located on FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/ThomasEdisonFilmFestival). TEFF reserves the right to disqualify any film not submitted through FilmFreeway without refund of any application fees.
5. All applicants MUST include support materials in their FilmFreeway submission including:
• Downloadable link for pre-screening & jury
• Downloadable trailer is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED
• Film Stills – hi and lo res for web and print
• Brief Film Description: (25-75 words)
• Filmmaker(s) Bio & Artist(s) Statement
• Contact information IS ESSENTIAL - Current email, mailing address & phone

6. The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Films including unauthorized copyrighted material are ineligible.
7. CAPTIONS: Films not produced in English MUST be subtitled in English.
8. OPEN CAPTIONS WILL BE REQUIRED if your film is selected for the 2027 festival tour.
9. Multiple versions of the same film will not be considered.
10. If your submitted film does not play on FilmFreeway, TEFF will make an attempt to contact you based on the information supplied. If a replacement is not available, the film will be disqualified without refund.
11. Only completed films may be submitted. No rough cuts or works in-progress.
12. Filmmaker MUST OWN ALL RIGHTS to their film and music and/or have secured rights.
13. Inclusion in the festival does not insure a public screening; however, the festival collection will be made available on-line, in perpetuity. Honorable Mention awarded films are available for viewing on-line, and are only considered for public viewing upon request by a host venue or if appropriate for a specific theme-based curation.
14. TEFF does not provide comments, critiques or feedback regarding submitted films.

TEFF RULES & TERMS FOR US COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY FILMMAKER SUBMISSIONS:

1. Student filmmakers MUST upload their official college ID as part of the submission process. Go to MY PROJECTS > PROJECT FILE > then under FILES & ATTACHMENTS section along the right side of the page. UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR STUDENT ID for verification to the 'Files & Attachments' section of your project.
2. We accept short films UNDER 10 MINUTES ONLY.
3. ENTRY FEES ARE NEVER WAIVED.
4. TEFF DOES NOT PAY RENTAL OR SCREENING FEES.
5. All applicants must complete the official festival submission form located on FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/ThomasEdisonFilmFestival). TEFF reserves the right to disqualify any film not submitted through FilmFreeway without refund of any application fees.
6. All applicants MUST include support materials in their FilmFreeway submission including:
• Downloadable link for pre-screening & jury
• Film Stills – hi and lo res for web and print
• Brief Film Description: (25-75 words)
• Filmmaker(s) Bio & Artist(s) Statement
• Contact information - Current email, mailing address & phone
• Trailer preferred
7. The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Films including unauthorized copyrighted material are ineligible.
8. Films not produced in English MUST be subtitled in English.
9. Multiple versions of the same film will not be considered.
10. If the submitted film does not play on FilmFreeway, TEFF will make an attempt to contact the applicant based on the information supplied. If a replacement is not available, the film will be disqualified without refund.
11. Only completed films may be submitted. No rough cuts or works in-progress.
12. Filmmaker must own all rights to their film and music and/or have secured rights.
13. Festival winners will have an in-person premiere at a NJ university separate from TEFF and will be available to screen on the TEFF website and at additional venues by request.
14. TEFF does not provide comments, critiques or feedback regarding submitted films.
15. If a student filmmaker wants their submission to be considered for TEFF, they must submit separately to TEFF. Students may submit to both TEFF and TEFF's student category.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Song Jie Ying

非常棒的电影节，祝愿电影节越办越好！What an amazing film festival! I wish it will become better and better!

April 2026

Helpful
Steven Vander Meer

Always very proud and excited to be a part of this festival. Jane and crew put together thoughtful programs and screen them at many great venues including the National Gallery of Art. My films are in awesome company here, and the festival's communication with filmmakers is both personal and professional.

January 2026

Helpful
Erik Jasaň

Thank you, Jane and Elizabeth! Your festival is amazing. It has brought me many positive responses and is also a great opportunity for networking. Thank you for accompanying me on our film THE PROFESSIONAL PARENT on its Oscar journey! I truly appreciate it. All the best!

January 2026

Helpful
Ryoya Terao

We had the privilege of participating in the Thomas Edison Film Festival in 2024, and it was a truly fantastic experience. Our short documentary, "13 Driver’s Licenses," was screened at multiple locations across the USA, and our team was fortunate to attend some of these screenings. The audience engagement was remarkable, with meaningful and thought-provoking dialogues at each event. The program organizers were absolutely brilliant, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience for filmmakers and attendees alike. I highly recommend everyone to attend their screenings or consider submitting films to this extraordinary festival.

January 2025

Helpful
Christopher Kulikowski

I had the good pleasure and good fortune of being accepted into the Thomas Edison Film Festival. The staff and communication was terrific and the festival engaging. Thank you for an enjoyable run. :-)

January 2023

Helpful

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Dates & Deadlines

May 1, 2026
Opening Date
June 30, 2026
Early Bird Deadline
September 8, 2026
Final Deadline
December 1, 2026
Notification Date
February 12, 2027
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Animation (under 15 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of animation including technological advances in animated filmmaking, embracing traditional animation methods, and creative storytelling.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
Submit Now
Animation (15+ - 30 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of animation including technological advances in animated filmmaking, embracing traditional animation methods, and creative storytelling.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Animation (30+ - 45 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of animation including technological advances in animated filmmaking, embracing traditional animation methods, and creative storytelling.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
Submit Now
Documentary (under 15 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of documentary including shining a light on issues and concerns in contemporary society, and incorporating techniques such as animation, re-creation, and hybrid forms.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
Submit Now
Documentary (15+ - 30 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of documentary including shining a light on issues and concerns in contemporary society, and incorporating techniques such as animation, re-creation, and hybrid forms.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Documentary (30+ - 45 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of documentary including shining a light on issues and concerns in contemporary society, and incorporating techniques such as animation, re-creation, and hybrid forms.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
Submit Now
Narrative (under 15 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of narrative storytelling, such as the incorporation of animation, non-linear structures, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
Submit Now
Narrative (15+ - 30 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of narrative storytelling, such as the incorporation of animation, non-linear structures, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Narrative (30+ - 45 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of narrative storytelling, such as the incorporation of animation, non-linear structures, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
Submit Now
Experimental (under 15 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of experimental approaches to storytelling, technical innovation, pure form, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
Submit Now
Experimental (15+ - 30 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of experimental approaches to storytelling, technical innovation, pure form, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Experimental (30+ - 45 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of experimental approaches to storytelling, technical innovation, pure form, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
Submit Now
Screen Dance (under 15 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of dance for the screen, including but not limited to the incorporation of movement, animation, non-linear structures, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $25
- Gold Members: $22.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
Submit Now
Screen Dance (15+ - 30 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of dance for the screen, including but not limited to the incorporation of movement, animation, non-linear structures, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $30
- Gold Members: $27
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
Submit Now
Screen Dance (30+ - 45 minutes)
The festival seeks spirited short pieces that explore, enrich and expand the expressive possibilities of dance for the screen, including but not limited to the incorporation of movement, animation, non-linear structures, and hybrids.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Gold Members: $31.50
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Gold Members: $40.50
Submit Now
Student Animation
Animated films may present an original narrative story, an existing story or fable, or an exploration of a mood or thought. Various techniques include cel animation, computer animation, clay animation, stop-motion, pixilation, cut-out pins, camera multiple-pass imagery, kaleidoscope effects, and drawing on the film frame itself. Winning Animation films are chosen by judging the product as a whole, as well as the artistic and technical skill of the filmmaker in whatever motif or animation technique the student has chosen.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Gold Members: $9
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
Submit Now
Student Documentary
Documentary films are nonfiction visual essays that seek to present historical subjects, current social or political issues, or specific human experiences. Documentaries may be filmed in the cinéma vérité style where camera and microphone merely record the event without injecting the comments or subjective conclusions of the filmmaker, or may employ V/O or narration. Documentary film deals with factual situations and circumstances. Winning films in this category are chosen on the basis of artistic technique, as well as the ability of the documentarian to fashion reality into a film essay which leaves the audience better informed and/or moved.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Gold Members: $9
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
Submit Now
Student Experimental
Alternative/Experimental films challenge traditional cinematic boundaries and conventions of expression. They employ unusual or groundbreaking aesthetic and technical elements. Generally, they do not follow conventional or predictable narrative form. They allow for ambiguity and complexity of thought, and use abstraction or lyricism in their execution. Alternative/Experimental films often expand the language of cinema. Films featuring dance for the screen may be entered in this category.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Gold Members: $9
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
Submit Now
Student Narrative
Narrative films may portray life, a character or a story within the context of an audiovisual medium. Narrative films may be dramas, comedies, musicals, or other story oriented genres. Winning entries in this and all other categories reflect the merit of the film when viewed as a whole, as well as the professional execution of its component parts, such as script, dialogue, direction, cinematography, lighting, acting, editing and scoring. Narrative category films may be adaptations of existing pieces of literature or original stories written by the student filmmaker.
- Early Bird Deadline
- Standard: $10
- Gold Members: $9
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Gold Members: $13.50
Submit Now

Other Festivals You May Like

Thomas Edison Film Festival