Welcome to the third annual Tombstone Film Festival, presented by 12 Westerns in association with The Tombstone Vigilantes.

The Tombstone Film Festival was 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.

Submissions for our third annual festival open on May 1st. Mark your calendars for our festival dates, January 23rd to the 26th in the year 2025.

We will present a total of twelve awards this year:

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Arizona Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Screenplay (only for completed films)
Best Cinematography
Best Sound

And four other awards specific to the Western genre.

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 2022.

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

5. Very important: if selected, all filmmakers must reply via email to confirm your selection within no more than a week or your film will be removed from our program.

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
  • Stephanie Savić

    We had the best time at the Tombstone Film Festival and we will definitely submit again! John and Travis could not have been more hospitable and kind, the whole atmosphere was amazing. So much fun to have a film festival right in Tombstone!

    February 2024
  • Lincoln Reed

    I had a wonderful experience at the Tombstone Film Festival. This is a great festival for filmmakers to connect and collaborate. The program of films was very impressive with a lot to offer for Western film enthusiasts. The festival directors were very welcoming and did a great job organizing the events.

    February 2024
  • Katie Mac

    Had a great time at this festival. Organizers were welcoming and brought in a nice variety of films. Always fun to visit Tombstone.

    February 2024
  • Matt Campagna

    I’ve been to film fests all over the world, from established Oscar qualifiers to scrappy upstarts, and I’ve gotta say Tombstone was easily one of the best-run festivals I’ve ever attended. From the filmmaker events, to the media, to the programming, to featuring the town itself, the folks who run the show at the Tombstone Film Festival are absolute professionals with a killer vision and execution to match. And of course, those awards — easily the sexiest trophy I’ve ever seen. If you’ve got a western, or even a film that flirts in western tropes and imagery, you’d do yourself a big favour submitting to Tombstone asap and attending in January! It’s one helluva great time.

    February 2024
  • Great festival, great films for western lovers ! Thanks Travis it was a pleasure tu participate in this amazing festival and I hope to meet you one day.

    February 2024