ENTRIES FOR 2024 ARE NOW OPEN.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 NEWSFEST WINNERS
WINNERS ARE ALPHABETIZED BY NAME OF PROJECT. WRITERS’ AWARDS ARE BELOW THE FILM AWARDS!

2023 NEWSFEST AWARDS ALPHABETIZED BY NAME OF PROJECT, WRITERS' AWARDS ARE BELOW THE FILM AWARDS. YOU CAN BE ON THE LIST OF 2024 WINNERS BY ENTERING THE 2024 NEWSFEST COMPETITION.

A MOTHER’S LOVE
1st Place Winner Best First Film

A POLISH COWBOY AT HOME AND ABROAD
1st Place winner Best Family History Story

ADX2 CONTROVERSY
Grand Winner Best True Story Narrative
ADX Overall Winner Narrative

AMERICAN SOLDIER
1st Place Winner Best Short Doc under 15 Minutes.

BACK TO THE HEART
1st Place Winner Best Documentary over 30 minutes
1st Place Winner Best Music or Music Video

CORGI'S RUN
First Place Winner Best Short Documentary 15 to 30 minutes
Grand Winner Best First Film

CORRUPTION ON EARTH
1st Place International Film under 15 Minutes

CULTURE TALK ON THE RADIO
Best International Music Video

DENNIS HEARST: CIELO DRIVE’S FINAL WITNESS
1st Place Winner Best Trailer
Grand Winner Most Impactful

ESCAPE
Grand Winner: Best International Submission Under 15 Minutes
1st Place Winner Most Impactful
Best International Trailer

FAR AWAY IN CANNES
2nd place Best Interview Format /talk Show/or Podcast

HERE WITH ME
Best Lyrics Grand Winner

I AM KANAKA
1st Place Winner, Best Trailer

IN OUR LIFETIME: THE UK CITIZENS’ JURY ON HUMAN GENOME EDITING
Grand Winner Best International Submission Under 15 Minutes

IVY GRACE
1st Place winner Best Doc/News Story Under 15 Minutes

JOEY SKAGGS CELEBRITY SPERM BANK
Grand Winner Best Short Doc under 15 Minutes

JOEY SKAGGS WALK RIGHT
1st Place Winner Best Human Interest

LAST MAY IN PALESTINE
Best True Story Documentary Style/International
1st Place student winner Best International film over 15 Minutes

LETTERS TO: Pilot
Best Pilot Interview Format/Talk show/or Podcast

MISSING IN THE MIDWEST
1st Place Winner Best Student Film
Grand winner Best Trailer

MISSION TO RESETTLE
1st Place Winner Best International Submission Over 15 Minutes

ONE SHOT AT A TIME
Best Public Information Video one Minute or under

ONII
Best Student Film International
Best Trailer

OUTSIDE IN
1st Place Winner Best International Submission Over 15 Minutes

PANDEMIC POWERS WISCONSIN
2nd Place Best Documentary News Story 15 to 30 Minutes

PRISON ROMANCE
1st Place winner Best Music Video

SINFUL BETTY'S BAND "FORGOTTEN"
Best Music and/or Music Video
1st Place Winner Best Lyrics

SOMETIME CHILD A TRUE STORY
Grand Winner Best True Story Narrative Filmocracy

STEVE ROACH: LIFE IN THE SOUND CURRENT
Grand Winner Best Documentary over 30 minutes

THE CANINE CONDITION
1st Place winner Best News Story/Public Information

THE MASTER
GRAND Winner Best International Submission under 15 minutes

THE MEDICINE WITHIN
Grand Winner Best Human Interest

THE POISON GARDEN
Best Documentary over 30 minutes/Filmocracy

THE REINVENTOR
Most Inspiring Grand Winner
Winner Best True Story Doc style

THE REMARKABLE RESILIENCE OF MARNEEN FIELDS
1st Place Winner Best Short Doc 15 to 30 minutes

THREE IN ONE
Grand Winner Best First Film

TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN
1st Place Winner Best Public information Trailer

WE ARE DISTANCE RUNNERS
1st Place Winner Best Interview format
1st Place Winner Best Human Interest

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
1st Place Winner Best International submission

WINDS OF CHANGE
Grand Winner, Best Short Documentary 15 to 30 minutes
Grand Winner Best News Story /Public Information

YAR
Most Creative music video.

YOUTH
1st Place International Student Video

WRITTEN WORK AWARDS

COSMOS BLACK
Grand Winner Best Screenplay Under 100 Pages

FIGHTING FOR OUR CHILDREN
Grand Winner Best Human Interest/Social Impact Story

HOPE
2nd Place Winner Short Written Work

IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Grand Winner Best Written Word any Length/Format

LETTERS TO MATTHEW
1st Place Winner Best Screenplay Over 100 Pages

SWORDS AND FEATHERS
1st Place Winner Best Written Word any Length/Format
Grand Winner Best Screenplay Over 100 Pages

TRICKSTER
1st Place Winner Best Human Interest/Social Impact Story

UNDOINGS
1st Place Winner Unscripted or Biographical or Short Written Work

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The NewsFest — True Stories International Film and Writers Festival — is an exciting opportunity for documentarians, narrative film producers and directors, news professionals, news producers, anchors, field reporters, news crews and production teams, and, even the guy on the street, to have his/her/their work considered for an award.
Since its inception in 2019, this festival has offered a variety of categories in which to enter a piece. Those who have written manuscripts and screenplays based on true and actual events, and those who have composed original music to accompany features, series, segments, or music videos to go with them, are also eligible for coveted honors.
If you are a filmmaker, news professional, a documentarian, or an individual who captures, reenacts, or adapts an authentic news event to a screenplay or narrative film, you’re invited to enter your work. This festival is not only for adults, but students, as well.
Whether you shot your footage on your smartphone or your fancy, studio-quality video camera — or anything in between — we want to see it.
One of the unique advantages of submitting to TheNewsFest is that category winners with projects under 30 minutes, will have the opportunity their winning entry to be televised in the local Los Angeles market!
The NewsFest has showcased important true stories from around the world.
Some of our previous winning filmmakers include: Sandi Bachom, and award winning reporter for the New York Times, Rohini Ruhi Hak, who has brought us compelling stories from India, Angela Koh of South Korea, whose stories take place in North and South Korea, while her other projects reveal the challenges with South Korean culture within the USA. Other winners include: Mederbek Zhalilov of Kyrgyzstan, who chronicled voter fraud in his own country; Thea Haavet, who told the story of Tim Peters, a brave refugee advocate, who smuggled desperate individuals from North Korea to freedom in South Korea. Then there was Arizona News television reporter, William Pitts, who shared some of his poignant hand-picked local stories — the ones that resonated with members of his community, and beyond. Joining him in taking awards was also Tommy Tucker, a U.S., citizen who cleverly documented his quest to urge his son to do his homework by holding up camera-friendly posters in various sports venues imploring his son to do better in school. Paul Foulkes of Japan told his own story of struggles with HIV and laid out the surprising gift that the disease had given him. Amy Leigh McCorkle, who allowed audiences to take an intimate look at her struggles with mental health as she chronicled her battles also received honors for her candid reporting. Anabelle Munro, who openly shared her own struggles with eating disorders, showed audiences how they could learn from her travails, Washington D.C. documentarian, Valerie Whitcomb, who recounted her brave account of her experience following a marijuana farmer in Tennessee; and Liane Scott, who brought the festival viewers the angst of the daily struggles among the members of that city’s Black community.
Past winning screenwriters have included award-winning writers such as the renowned Harold Brown of Canada; Ron Podell of Wyoming, John McCarney of Arizona, and Bob Messinger of New Jersey.
Among the winning music composers, we’ve honored Jill Sissel, Barbara Heller, The Poppyseeds, Paul Helou, and Jay Mullings.
The NewsFest is an unusual event under the ETHOS festival umbrella — one that garners a great deal of interest as “real” stories are told in different news formats!

Awards & Prizes

Selected Projects receive:
Selection Laurels
All Access Pass to the NewsFest and to the Ethos Film Awards of which NewsFest is a part, and includes All screenings and seminars. The festival is also supported by the newly formed non-profit "Women for Women in Film."

Winners will receive:
WINNERS Laurels
Certificate and/or Trophy
Overall Winners of films under 30 minutes may have the opportunity for their winning entry televised in the local LA viewing area.

Rules & Terms

We are Accepting submissions focused on documentaries, feature films and scripts based on true stories and the news- local, regional, state, national or international. We are accepting film productions, written word, music and photography submissions. We want to read/see your work. If you are a documentary filmmaker, true story writer or filmmaker, news anchor, reporter, DP, AD, copywriter, producer, writer, editor, assignment editor, photojournalist, musician, etc. you can submit your work. We especially support and honor student work.

All entries will be judged on content, creativity, imagery, story and skill of the storyteller. News Productions, Historic pieces, and "True Story" films from created between 2017 to October 2023 may be submitted. Works in progress will be accepted. Online screeners are accepted for submission and for consideration by the Selection Committee but not for festival screening. Photos should be submitted as Jpegs with submitter’s name in the file name.
PAL SYSTEM IS NOT ACCEPTED.

All Accepted Films must be submitted on MPEG4 for exhibition. Screeners/thumbdrives are not returned.
We will NOT accept online Films for exhibition screening. Accepted Films must uploadable and in MP4 format

PAL system is NOT accepted.

Each entry must be submitted separately.
All entries must be uploaded to The NewsFest FilmFreeway sitet prepaid and, for your own protection, should be insured. Screening times are dependent upon receipt of the screeners Mp4 version, and support materials (stills, poster art, and trailer if available). Please note Support materials (postcards, posters promo items) are not returned.

Films and Screenplays SELECTED for The NewsFest will be announced no later than October 15, 2023 (exceptions may be made if deemed necessary by TNF).
Every Entry must include an Electronic Press Kit and Downloadable Trailer and trailer link.
WE DO NOT RETURN/SHIP screening materials or promo materials (posters, postcards, goody bag items).
We will NOT accept online screeners for exhibition purposes.
PAL Formatted discs will not be accepted.

Please notify us by email of any address changes. Failure to provide screening materials will result in disqualification and the film being pulled from screening.

Please note TNF will NOT return or ship materials back to the submitter once the festival has commenced (this includes thumb drives, DCPs, posters, postcards, or promo materials)

All entries should be mailed to:
The NewsFest
C/O LAUREL ADLER
530 SOUTH LAKE AVE. #516
Pasadena, CA 91101

Submitting filmmakers acknowledge they have the legal right to exhibit the film and the collateral/promo materials at The NewsFest.

The NewsFest and ETHOS festival are hereby granted the right to utilize footage and promotional materials supplied by the submitting agent from any film submitted and accepted film, video, or project for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. All accepted filmmakers agree that The NewsFest may use footage from their projects in order to promote the festival, their film or TNF Event via print, web and broadcast television. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless TNF, its producers, vendors, sponsors, ETHOS, and supporters from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
Written Word Submission Rules.

We are also currently accepting written word submissions: news-related scripts/ copy as: features shorts, short shorts, scenes, poetry, and prose.

One copy of an original screenplay or other written uploaded as a PDF file will be accepted. (Do NOT include more than 1 version). We do not accept hardcopy scripts.

The screenplay should be in standard industry format (12 point Courier).
Only one copy, draft, or version of any screenplay may be submitted by an entrant or entrants per submission.

Under no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of an entry screenplay be allowed under the original submission. Corrected or edited screenplays must be resubmitted as a NEW entry and will require a separate submission fee.

Multi-part scripts should be submitted as separate, stand-alone screenplays.
Features that are over 120 pages must be submitted as 2 different entries.
Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

Submissions must be the original work of the entrant(s) and may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fiction or nonfiction material, published or unpublished, produced or un-produced.

Entries may, however, be adapted from the entrant’s (or entrants’) original work, which should be noted in the logline required on the application form.
Entries lacking a logline on the application form will be disqualified. Logline can be included on the cover letter or title page.

If the script is based on a true story, historical or contemporary, the "based on true story/events" button should be noted in the logline.

Collaborative work by two writers who share equally in its creation is eligible.
The collaborator’s name must be added during the online application process.
All entries must be received by or before the Extended Deadline of 10.30.22

Nominees/Winners will be announced at the Award Show. We do not ship Awards.

Entry fees will not be returned or adjusted.

47 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • stephan morrow

    This is one of the most open-hearted festivals I've participated in. And a lot is owed to the warmth of Laurel Adler (kinda makes sense - the festival being about making the planet a better place). First of all, she was easy to personally contact when I had some questions. That's unusual. If you have a festival that's based on real stories you don't want to miss News Fest. And Laurel was really lucky to have a wonderful Emcee who moved things along with a sparkling sense of humor. (that European charm was perfect)
    Had a great time at the opening night gala and an even better one when my film 'Sometime Child' won two awards : 'Overall Winner True-Story Narrative' and 'Best Directing of Young People in a Feature Film'. Then a bonus was receiving an Honorable Mention for my other film 'Darkness After Night: Ukraine'. What was also really thrilling was meeting (Oksana Mysina) a filmmaker and her husband from Ukraine who noticed my blue and yellow armband (signifying my sympathies to the brave Ukrainians in the war) and introduced themselves. Very cool. And managed to see some extraordinary shorts - one especially about strikers in S. America.
    Making independent films is a lonely row to hoe and you could see the gratitude beaming from some of the filmmakers faces as they received awards. So News Fest is the kind of festival that really makes it all worthwhile for filmmakers: A little acknowledgement goes a long way. And it really fulfilled the idea of celebrating community. So really glad I made the trip out to LA. Sincerely, Stephan Morrow

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Andrew Bystrom

    NewsFest was a lot of fun and informative. My wife and I attended and enjoyed both the Opening Gala and After Party in Santa Monica. We met and talked with so many of our fellow filmmakers. I even got to make a film pitch to a seasoned panel. Their feedback was very helpful, constructive and encouraging. I have already taken action on some of their suggestions. Throughout the whole film festival process Laurel Adler provided us with excellent communications. As a bonus, my two films each won an award. Thank You NewsFest!!

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • aiko komeda

    You're welcome! It's a fantastic film festival.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Leon Gerskovic

    NewsFest International Film Festival was a great experience. From the beautiful venues and location in Santa Monica, CA to the screenings and special events. Everybody was very supportive of each other’s work and were there to truly uplift each other. Our film The AD-X2 Controversy was honored with Best True Story Narrative and Best Overall awards at their wonderful awards ceremony which was the icing on the cake. We are truly appreciative humbled by this honor.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Ruth Garnes

    Overall, this was a very positive experience. I felt that my work was validated and appreciated, and it was important to me to be selected by a festival in the US. So, I am truly grateful that I was pleasantly surprised that I won in my category. Being selected was a huge honor in itself. Thanks again for featuring my work.

    December 2023
    Helpful