The Indie Gathering International Film Festival is stepping up in 2026. We are moving to Columbus, Ohio to the Lennox Phoenix theater! The Indie Gathering will be screening in a real MOVIE THEATER.

This weekend long film festival is an in-person gathering for filmmakers young, old, student, amateur, or professional. This festival is for people who create because it is part of their dichotomy. Those that need to make and to express themselves. No matter your budget or access, we celebrate the passion and dedication of artists and filmmakers who simply love and appreciate cinema and are dedicated to growing their skill set and overall knowledge of cinematic arts.

Our mission is to provide an opportunity and safe space for filmmakers of any level or capability to showcase their work. Indie Gathering is an opportunity to engage filmmakers from all walks of life. We are building a community on the premise that bringing people up for their merits is greater than cutting with crushing critique. Indie Gathering is a place for filmmakers to better their skills, showcase their ideas, and build a community. We thrive on your inspiration not your flaws. We embrace experimental, animated, narrative and documentary, short-form and feature length films from every corner of the globe, offering filmmakers an environment that values artistry above marquee names and industry relationships. We are about fostering creativity and honing the craft.

**PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING!**

With competitions for films, scripts, film scoring, and acting/monologue, The Indie Gathering has a place for everyone! The weekend consists of two screening rooms, vendors, film seminars/lectures, competitions, networking parties and more! If you are involved in, or interested in, any aspect of filmmaking, this festival is for you.

Previously voted one of the Top 25 Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine as the Best Fest for Networking!

Awards & Prizes

Awards to attending winners include framed certificates, & other prizes

Rules & Terms

**PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING!**

When submitting your project, please e-mail us with your project information and genre selection at theindiegathering@gmail.com. This must be received by e-mail to ensure your submission goes into the proper judging category. Please include your project name and tracking number in the e-mail. Filmmakers, please also note if your film is a student project. Please note that we may, in our own discretion, move your project into a different genre if we feel it is a better fit for that genre. This does not happen often, but we want to ensure your project is in the right category. However, we still need your selected genre e-mailed to us. Please select only ONE.

Film Genres: Action / Animation / Comedy / Comedy-Romantic / Documentary / Drama / Drama-Comedy / Drama-Crime / Drama-Romantic / Experimental / Family / Fantasy / Horror / Horror-Comedy / Sci-Fi / Suspense-Thriller / Trailer / TV Pilot / Web episode / Western

Music Video Genres: Alternative / Blues / Country / Indie / Jazz / Metal / Other / Pop / Punk / R & B / Rap / Rock

Script Genres: Action / Comedy / Comedy-Romantic / Drama / Drama-Comedy / Drama-Crime / Drama-Romantic / Family / Fantasy / Horror / Horror-Comedy / Sci-Fi / Suspense-Thriller / TV Pilot / Web episode / Western/Animation

Films in any language other than English MUST be subtitled.

There are NO restrictions as to when your film or script was completed or where it has been released. Anyone may enter the competition. All entries must receive an average score of 90 or above in the judging process to qualify for award placement.

We do not grant submission fee waivers *under any circumstance*. We do not pay screening fees.

Please note, if your project qualifies for an award, you or a direct representative from your project must be in attendance at the festival in order to receive any physical awards. Non-attending winners will be e-mailed award certificates after the event.

All submissions - whether accepted or not - come with ONE complimentary 4-day event pass to the festival per filmmaker. Any additional passes must be purchased in advance or at the door.

If you have a film in competition which can no longer be considered for screening, you may withdraw it from screening consideration but still leave it in competition for award placement. Please e-mail theindiegathering@gmail.com as soon as possible if you need to withdraw from consideration for screening.

You may withdraw your submission at any time, but there are no refunds on submissions or tickets.
139 Reviews
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  • Madeline Rosene

    It was an honor to win 1st place for our music video "Fish Astronaut" and the Indie Gathering International Film Festival was a delight to attend.

    August 2025
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  • Adam Vencil

    The team that runs Indie Gathering International Film fest has a lot of heart and truly love creative and unique films. I had a great time at the festival and would come back again! Thank you for giving our film Pleasure, Bye Best of Fest and Best Sci-Fi feature!

    August 2025
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  • Joy Waldinger

    I really appreciated the warm welcome that my short film TRILOGY received this year at The Indie Gathering Film Festival! It won 1st place in the webisode category! The festival did a good job at providing interview and panel discussion opportunities. I’m grateful for the connections I made!

    August 2025
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  • Jonathan Riles

    The Indie Gathering does a fantastic job of curating a space for indie creators to screen their hard work in front of a well-attended audience. One of my first festival experiences was in this same suburb of Cleveland, and I was excited to return and meet up with the Ohio/international film community. I had a great time attending this event, and I am looking forward to submitting again.

    August 2025
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  • Alex McComas

    Was honestly one of the most welcoming and social festivals I have ever been to and it's panals where really inciteful on things reguarding the industry. If you ever get a chance to go even if your film wasn't selected it's worth it and I can't wait till next year. It was worth the 5hr drive and so much more.

    August 2025
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