Torchfire Film Festival is a celebration of independent filmmaking nestled in the charming town of Franklin, Indiana! Torchfire shines a light on our hometown, Indiana WINNERS by illuminating the silver screen with their work at the historic Artcraft Theatre. (Due to time constraints, not all Indiana winners will be shown. You will be notified if your film will be presented.)

Our festival strives to be a beacon for future film filmmakers to showcase their works and for film enthusiasts to see fresh, innovative narratives that push the boundaries of cinema. Torchfire Film Festival casts a light on the diverse and exciting world of independent films.

While our festival proudly welcomes indie filmmakers from across the globe, we hold a special torch for the creative minds who call the Hoosier State home. Emphasizing our commitment to local talent, we've dedicated two distinct categories exclusively for Indiana Filmmakers along with a special screening of their winning films at the historic Artcraft Theatre. This allows us to not only celebrate the diversity of indie filmmaking worldwide but also shine a light on the unique stories and perspectives emerging right here in our own state.

Enter your feature-length or short film today!

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature-Length Film

Best Documentary

Best Animation

Best Short Film (under 30 mins)

Best Student Short Film (under 30 mins. Open to all high school and college students.)

Best INDIANA Feature-Length Film

Best INDIANA Documentary

Best INDIANA Animation

Best INDIANA Short Film (under 30 mins)

Best INDIANA Student Short Film (under 30 mins. Open to Indiana high school and college students only)

-----------------

Winners in all categories will receive:
• Digital laurel to add to your production
• Posted on social media pages & website
• Award for your shelf

-----------------

Indiana Winners Only!
• Film shown at The Historic Artcraft Theatre (We hope you can make it to the screening to receive your award and to see your film on the BIG screen. Due to time constraints, not all Indiana winners will be shown. You will be notified if your film will be presented.)

-----------------

*Currently seeking sponsors. If you would like to sponsor this festival, please contact torchfirefilmfestival@gmail.com

Rules & Terms

Submissions will only be accepted using FilmFreeway. At this time we are only accepting digital screeners - no DVD/Blu-Ray , etc.

All films must be in English or have English subtitles in order to be considered.

All Films must be original works and you agree that you own the rights to your submitted project

You give full permission to the festival to use still, titles, and/or other information from your film for promotional purposes online via social media.

All films will be considered regardless of budget. Judging is based on creativity and passion for filmmaking.

Submission fees are not refundable.

By submitting the material, the applicant hereby agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the festival & its employees from any liability, claims, and damages in connection with the submission and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

I/We agree to hold Torchfire Film Festival and Brenton Creative harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any film submitted to the Festival.

I/We understand that failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.

To qualify for INDIANA category: Filmmaker must be living in Indiana, from Indiana, or shot in Indiana.

Due to time constraints, not all Indiana winners will be shown. You will be notified if your film will be presented.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Corey Tindall

    Torchfire film festival was a great experience and I was so honored they selected my film to be screened! I felt very welcomed by the festival organizers and their passion for local film was very inspiring. The location is really cool being a historic theatre in Indiana. Great communication from the festival directors, I would definitely recommend attending and submitting to this festival.

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Glenn Sweitzer

    Winning the Feature Length Film award at Torchfire is such an incredible honor. Though I couldn’t attend, it’s clear I missed a wonderful celebration in the charming town of Franklin, Indiana. The festival’s heart for storytellers shines through, and I’m deeply grateful that Trail Mix was part of it!!

    August 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Glenn. We really enjoyed your film.

  • Lincoln Reed

    This is a wonderful festival with an iconic venue. JD and Dustin have created a great event, especially for Indiana filmmakers. I'm grateful for the festival's hospitality and look forward to submitting again in the future.

    November 2024
    Helpful
  • Autumn Libengood

    I would say this is one of Indiana’s very best Film festivals. It was a joy being a part of it. Not only is everyone so nice and easy to communicate with, but it’s so well done. We enjoyed our time there and thoroughly enjoyed having our film “Bleeding Heart” win best short Indiana film. Thank you to everyone for putting this event on.

    October 2024
    Helpful
  • Ryan McCurdy

    What an awesome night for independent film! Torchfire Film Festival has one of the coolest venues of any film festival i've been to. The Historic Artscraft theater in Franklin, IN is an amazing time capsule from the ticket booth to the concession stand. Dustin and JD event that brought back a sense of community in for the filmgoing experience. If you have a film made in the Hoosier heartland I'd strongly suggest submitting to this one of a kind event.

    October 2024
    Helpful