Welcome to the Inaugural Tombstone Film Festival, presented by 12 Westerns in association with Tombstone Forward.

The Tombstone Film Festival has been created by John Marrs and Travis Mills to showcase the best Western feature and short films in America's most iconic Western town. The event will include screenings of selected films, panels, a special opening night event, and closing awards party.

All selected filmmakers will receive two VIP passes which includes admission to all screenings, festival events, and the awards ceremony.

Submit your work for our first annual festival and we will see you in Tombstone this coming January!

We will present a total of ten awards this year:

Best Western Feature Film
Best Western Short Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Screenplay (only for completed films)
Best Horse
Best Stunt
Best Fist Fight
Best Costumes
Best Guns

If accepted, filmmakers must supply a digital copy of your film. Failure to timely supply files can lead to disqualification.

1. All submissions must qualify as Westerns. This includes variations on the Western genre such as comedic westerns, horror westerns, documentary westerns, etc.

2. The Tombstone Film Festival Entry Fees are non-refundable.

3. There are no premiere requirements and the film may be available online prior to screening at the festival. However, we only accept films made no earlier than 2020.

4. All films must be in English or subtitled in English.

5. Only one submission is permitted per filmmaker. Submit your best and only your best!

6. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials included within the submitted Film. The Tombstone Film Festival will not be held responsible for the unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted materials within or relating to the submitted Film. The festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Film with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials.

7. Filmmakers accepted and attending the Festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses. However, the festival may provide discount rates for lodging if possible. As stated above, each selected film will receive two free VIP passes.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Wow! great communication and hospitality from Travis, John and the volunteers and Tombstone the town. What a great festival, one that knows the reason we are all there. They purposely had time in between blocks to network and plenty of time to eat. Most film festivals show as many films as they can cram in and leaves no time to eat or network. The selection of films were all great, and was honored to show my feature SHOWDOWN IN YESTERYEAR.

    February 2023
  • Tombstone was a wonderful festival. The festival was well organized, and the communication from the festival was very clear. We loved seeing the historic town of Tombstone. The entire community was inviting and welcome. The awards were very intricately made belt buckles which could be worn or displayed. I hope to attend this festival again!

    February 2023
  • Cornelius Hurley

    What a great film festival! There is really no other film festival like it. The amount of love and passion for the western genre by the event organizers, the filmmakers and then audience truly makes for a one of a kind festival. Having a western centered film festival right in the heart of Tombstone Arizona is amazing.

    The schedule really encourages all filmmakers and audiences to attend every event which truly makes for great opportunities to make new friends and network, by the closing party you will certainly be saying goodbye to new friends. Having parties every night between the legendary Crystal Palace and the Oriental salons makes it impossible not to get caught up in the magic of the Tombstone experience.

    Having a place that respects the genre of the western in every way, from high concept films to having awards for best horses, best guns and best fights is awesome! The experience of screening your film to an audience that loves the genre and whom a good portion of are fully kitted out to actually be in a western film in the audience is a great experience.

    Travis and John, both experienced filmmakers themselves have really created this festival out a love for the genre, if you have a western film, the Tombstone film festival is THE place to share it with the world.

    February 2023
  • So proud to be a part at the great festival with my western pastisch! So inspiring, thanks!

    February 2023
  • Robert J Morgalo

    The Tombstone Film Festival was very well organized, attended and executed destination film festival. I have attended and participated in many festivals from around the world. Tombstone Film Festival is among the very best that I have experienced. The organizers, staff and volunteers were all friendly and professional. They made me and my entire team feel welcomed and at home. The caliber of films selected and screened in both feature and short formats were top quality productions. Tombstone was a thrill to visit and experience as well. This was my first time visiting Tombstone but it will definitely not be my last. The overall experience, networking, diversity, scenery and entertainment was exceptional. And the awards are fantastic. The custom belt buckle awards are fantastic. I highly recommend this film festival. My only complaint is that it had to end. I am looking forward to returning to Tombstone. Hopefully they will add more genres and add more days so that more filmmakers will be able to experience this truly unique and worthy destination film festival.

    February 2023