It's here! It's real! The debut of The Town Creek Film Festival will take place on October 16 and 17 in Gallatin, Tennesse (just 30 miles north of Nashville). The festival has been in development for a number of years. In 2021, the Gallatin City Council named Kevin Marshall Chopson the Poet Laureate of Gallatin, Tennessee. It is a ceremonial position which is meant to help showcase the arts and inspire others to pursue their creative talents. As an avid film fan and award-winning experimental filmmaker himself, Chopson immediately began seeking the right team to help launch a film festival, with local, national, and international reach. Ted Brown and Ryan Inman have joined the management team, with Chopson serving as Artistic Director. The Palace Theater, in Gallatin, is Tennessee's oldest, still functional, formerly "silent" movie theater in the state. The Palace Theater will be our main venue for the event. ALL Officially Selected films will be shown at one of three venues: The Palace Theater, THE ANNEX at Prince Street Pizza and Pub, or THE BASEMENT at Public Square 106. Other venues will be made available if necessary.

Awards & Prizes

We would like all filmmakers whose films are Officially Selected to consider themselves winners. Our juried process will include filmmakers, artists, actors, professors, and avid fans of film. Chopson and his two partners will be on this jury as well.

Rules & Terms

For our premier year, only short films will be considered. Short films between three minutes and 33 minutes (total time, including end credits).

ELIGIBILITY

1. Entrants must fully comply with these Entry Rules and Regulations in order to be considered eligible for acceptance to the 2026 debut of The Town Creek Film Festival.

2. Films should be brought to completion no further back than 2024.

3. Films with prior distribution or that have been exhibited publicly for profit in the central Tennessee region prior to the 2026 premier of The Town Creek Film Festival are not eligible for Official Selection status.

4. Films with ongoing or infinite-run online distribution or availability (iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, etc.) are not eligible for juried Official Selection status. Films with finite or limited availability via independent distribution (i.e. filmmaker’s own website, etc.) remain eligible for juried Official Selection status.

5. Entries must be in English or have English subtitles.

6. Films must be available for screening as part of the October 2026 debut of The Town Creek Film Festival.

7. Some special considerations are given to submissions in which the filmmaker has ties to Tennessee such as long-term or current residence in Tennessee as well as whether the film was shot or set in Tennessee. Furthermore, some special considerations are given to submission in which the filmmaker has ties to Gallatin, Tennessee (the hometown of the event). These considerations will not over-ride considerations based on the same "artistic" qualifications used to jury all films.

SUBMISSION POLICIES AND SELECTION PROCESSES

1. All films must be submitted via Film Freeway.

2. Submission of entry is considered legal permission to screen your film during the festival upon acceptance.

3. All submissions will be evaluated by at least three members of our screening team or one programmer, while most will be seen by at least six members of our team.

4. The Town Creek Film Festival does not have any premiere status requirements for selection.

POLICIES UPON ACCEPTANCE

1. Accepted films will be notified via the FilmFreeway platform and via the submitter or contact address included in the submission form. Please ensure you can receive email from towncreekfilmfest@gmail.com as it is our primary mode of communication.

2. Official Selection status of a film implies consent from the filmmaker ensuring an absence of any legal or rights issues, and indemnifying The Town Creek Film Festival of any liabilities that may arise out of screening with the festival.

3. Official Selection status contractually confirms the film for screening at The Town Creek Film Festival.

4. Upon acceptance, filmmakers (or primary contact) will provide, if possible, a DVD copy of the accepted film. Filmmakers will be sent an address to send the film. Filmmakers are responsible for shipping costs.

6. The Town Creek Film Festival reserves the right to rescind acceptance of any film for any reason.

Should you have any questions regarding this process or your film’s eligibility, please email towncreekfilmfest@gmail.com.

Entering your film is considered giving The Town Creek Film Festival permission to screen your film during the course of the festival. If, for some reason, after acceptance (but prior to the public announcement of the festival line-up) you choose not to screen with The Town Creek Film Festival, you must contact the festival immediately. Attempts to cancel a screening AFTER the official announcement cannot be acknowledged and the film will screen from the available copy on hand.

The Town Creek Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless The Town Creek Film Festival -- its owners and partners -- and sponsors 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.