The Vermont Film Festival aims to unite the local Vermont and global filmmaking community through the unique storytelling medium of film. Celebrating both the collaborative art of filmmaking and the natural beauty of Vermont our festival is equal parts networking and vacation. A part of our festival also focuses on the unique medium of Action Sports Filmmaking through our partnership with First Stop Board Barn. A festival created for filmmakers by filmmakers that know how to throw a great party!

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Action Sports, Most Vermont-y, Best Comedy.

Rules & Terms

1. Films must have completed post production in the last 24 months to be eligible.
2. Submissions are limited to 1 short film and 1 feature film per individual entrant.

FESTIVAL SCREENING
The individual or corporation submitting the film warrants that he/she is authorized to commit the film to screening at any time during the 2025 Vermont Film Festival.

LIABILITY
Every possible care will be taken with entries while in our possession, however, we cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or additional charges incurred en route, or due to normal wear and tear, or due to equipment failure. Do NOT send original prints or master copies. Additionally, Vermont Film Festival and all partners including but not limited to Pentangle Arts, are held harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity or screening of any film.

23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bernie Garcia

    So honored to have “Ariel” screen at The Vermont Film Festival in the beautiful town of Woodstock Vermont! Matt, Collen, Alex and Zach had cool activities for the filmmakers planned and stunning venues for the entirety of the festival. Vermont is absolutely beautiful and shout out to Special Guest Paul Rodriguez for the kind words and praise for our film. A+

    November 2025
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  • Chad Ervin

    Welcoming festival in a beautiful location - the filmmakers networking event by the lake is always a highlight!

    August 2025
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  • Annika Murdock

    Had a wonderful time at The Vermont Film Festival! Was honored to have my film win Best Student Film. The biggest shock was winning a camera, such an amazing opportunity to create more films and continue my creative journey. Everyone is really kind and the communication was top notch. Not to mention visiting the Woodstock area was a wonderful treat. Hope to come again in the future :)

    August 2025
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  • John Schlag

    Hats off to the VTFF peeps for running a film festival with a partially local focus, in a cool little Vermont town, with a lot of support for filmmakers. And gifting us a swag bag that actually has wonderful local goodies! (Most FFs, uh, not so much.) I made sure to attend all the gatherings and parties as well as all the screenings, and everyone was really nice, and super-inclusive. I made several connections with other filmmakers. And they made opportunities for filmmakers to be interviewed, with the interviews including our trailers, to appear on local cable. My only comment for improvement would be to work harder at recruiting an audience.

    August 2025
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  • Vermont Suitcase Company

    We LOVED the Vermont Film Festival! Matt, Collen, Mark, Nikki, Alex, and all the wonderful people that make this happen are absolute gems, so welcoming, and we had an awesome time hanging out with them. These are people who really care about independent filmmaking and the arts community in Vermont and they work wicked hard to put this thing together. We saw beautiful films, we met so many great artists that we hope to work with in the future. We watched a lot of movies, but when we weren't watching movies, the festival put together a ton of fun networking opportunities: food truck block parties, stand-up comedy shows, chilling by a lake with paddleboards. Also, we're biased because we live here, but Vermont is beautiful in the summer. We hope this continues for many years to come, and we will be back for sure.

    This is a festival for those who love independent film and the people you meet while you make it! Highly recommend.

    August 2025
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