The Comedy Film Festival (tCFF) takes place in Austin, TX and helps to fill the void of independent comedy films in the film festival world.

tCFF is made by comedy film lovers for comedy film lovers. We understand the growing need in the festival circuit for a festival where comedy films are highlighted and put on a pedestal.

Audience Award for Feature Comedy
Audience Award for Short Comedy

Best Feature Comedy
Best Short Comedy
Best Stand Up Special
Best Sketch Video
Best Pilot, Episodic, or Web Series
Best Texas Feature Comedy
Best Texas Short Comedy
Best Student Short Comedy

Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Actor (Gender Neutral)
Best Supporting Actor (Gender Neutral)

Best Unproduced Short Screenplay
Best Unproduced Feature Screenplay
Best Unproduced Pilot Script

Each time you submit content to the Comedy Film Festival (tCFF) for consideration and/or selection, you will be confirming your acceptance and agreement to be bound by all the Comedy Film Festival Terms and Conditions, including, without limitation, this Agreement.

Email us BEFORE submitting if you have any questions. That being said, DO NOT email us asking for a waiver code.

See individual categories for descriptions.

We will not be responsible for lost, damaged, unusable, or unreadable content. You must provide downloadable content (whether via FilmFreeway, Vimeo, Google, WeTransfer, or otherwise) for final delivery in order for us to be able to properly review and or showcase your work.

All screenplays submitted for competition MUST be in standard screenplay format and as a PDF from a program such as Celtx, Movie Magic, Final Draft, etc. Word Docs with improper formatting will be disqualified without a refund. Your cover page should ONLY have the title of your script.

By submitting, you agree that you own all copyrights and intellectual properties to your work. Any violations of that agreement will result in immediate disqualification from the festival.

The Comedy Film Festival does not accept rough assemblies but will accept work-in-progress cuts (picture lock with temporary sound, color, etc.). Please be aware that we will NOT screen multiple updates/versions of your film for programming consideration. Therefore, consider submitting your application only when you think your film is in the most complete and finished form possible.

The Comedy Film Festival reserves the right to use any part of your submission for promotional purposes regarding the festival itself. This includes social media, local advertising, interviews, online content, promo trailers, and other related venues.

Submitting to the Comedy Film Festival does not guarantee selection. We reserve the right to disqualify anyone based on violation of rules & regulations, objectionable content, rude behavior via email or social media, poor sound and/or video quality, or if we consider your film/screenplay to be not funny — because, ya know, this is THE COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL.

International films not in English MUST be subtitled in English. Films dubbed in English will be considered as well, though not preferred, but hey, that's your call.

All submissions must be made by a person 18 years or older.

Upon entering into this agreement, you agree that the the Comedy Film Festival reserves the right to sell event tickets, advertising, and gain outside sponsorship in connection with your content. You also agree that the Comedy Film Festival may use email communication as a form of contact in regards to your film, as well as for additional communications regarding this festival, future festivals, and related promotions. Upon request, you have the right to unsubscribe from any form of communication with the Comedy Film Festival.

As part of our sponsor and partner agreements, the Comedy Film Festival may provide your name and email to those that we enter into agreements. By submitting your film, and/or by purchasing an individual ticket, day pass, or any badge, you are agreeing that we may share your name and email with select partners. Upon request, you have the right to unsubscribe from any form of communication with those partners.

While the Comedy Film Festival is proud to host our festival live and in person on an annual basis, please note: submissions, tickets, and badge costs will not be refunded should an act of god occur causing the festival to cancel, postpone, reschedule, or shift to an online/virtual/digital space. This includes, but is not limited to natural disaster, local/national/international health emergency, destruction of property associated with the festival, or death of key festival staff.

WOW. That got dark. But listen— beyond that, we should be good. We love comedy, we love film, and we can’t wait to throw another festival showcasing cool independent comedies with the world.

Again, if you're not sure about something, please email us BEFORE you submit. We'll get back to you as quickly as possible.

By submitting you agree to: Be kind and respectful to the Film Festival staff, volunteers, venues, festival attendees, and participating filmmakers. Be graceful if you are not selected or do not win an award. Be supportive of independent comedy films. Most of all — be funny.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Scott Kane

    We were grateful and honored to have Banana Tree selected and awarded Best Animated Short Film. The Comedy Film Festival went above and beyond to give each filmmaker a first-rate experience.
    Communication was excellent from start to finish. I especially appreciated the pre-recorded interviews and panels, giving filmmakers individual time to expound on their films.
    Thanks again Eric and Team for all your hard work and planning expertise.

    July 2024
  • Enjoyed being part of the festival. Will submit again!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Veronica! We were so happy to honor "Distracted by Murder" through our 2024 Screenplay & Pilot Competition. Thanks again and we hope you'll submit in future years!

  • This was my first festival to participate in and the organization was flawless! The organizers were on point to help answer any questions, but they also were there to welcome each and every person. The venues were great and the awards ceremony was well thought out.

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Janelle! We appreciate your kind words and it really means a lot. Thank you for allowing us to showcase "Life Coach". We can't wait to see how things progress for you and your film team!

  • Jordan Black

    Had a fantastic time at the Comedy Film Festival!

    I submitted because I wanted to get to be around other filmmakers who shared my passion & ambition for comedy & I was very pleased with the caliber of professionals I met through this festival!

    I also was happy with all of the extra things to do outside of screenings, as well as the networking opportunities afterwards!

    If the festival staff can build on their successes from this year, then this will surely become a very important avenue for comedic filmmakers to showcase their skills!

    Hope to see you all next year!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words Jordan! We're so happy you made it out to the fest to show "Imaginary Friend (With Benefits)". We'll keep working hard to put on better and better fests, and to keep learning, but it's reassuring to hear your take on this first year. Thanks again and we hope you'll submit in future years!

  • Peter Pardini

    Incredible festival with an attention to detail and most importantly, the films themselves. Highly recommend attending if you can!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words Peter! We were so happy to have "Man Goes On Rant" open the first year of the Comedy Film Festival. It's an amazing film, and we're excited to see where your film goes from here.