Transparent Film Festival

Submission Timeline (2026)

Submissions Open: September 1, 2025

Final Deadline: April 30, 2026

Final Notifications: May 25, 2026

Filmmaker Response & Delivery Deadline: June 8, 2026

Festival Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026

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Notification Process

Final notifications are issued on or before May 25, 2026.

Selected filmmakers are expected to confirm participation and provide all requested materials by June 8, 2026.

Selection is an ongoing process. Programming decisions continue throughout the festival season as participation, communication, technical requirements, nominations, and scheduling evolve.

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Final Delivery Requirements

Selected filmmakers are expected to provide:

• Final screening file

• Official Selection Confirmation Form

• Attendance status or representative information

• Acceptance speech video (recommended for filmmakers unable to attend)

Failure to provide requested materials by June 8, 2026 may affect programming and award presentation.

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Streaming & Exhibition Policy

Transparent Film Festival is partnered with ABFAB.com, a streaming and internet television platform dedicated to promoting independent filmmakers.

Selected films, clips, trailers, interviews, and related material may appear in:

• Transparent Film Festival Selections Episodes

• Nominations Episodes

• Winners Episodes

• ABFAB.com streaming channels

• Related festival programming

Once programming has been edited and published, episodes may continue to appear as part of recurring festival programming.

If online exhibition conflicts with your distribution strategy, release plans, or contractual obligations, please do not submit your film to this festival.

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Live Event & Awards Show

Thursday, June 25, 2026

The Producers Club – New York City

The live screening program and Awards Show are expected to run from approximately 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, followed by photos and an informal gathering with filmmakers and guests.

Selected films will also be available online through ABFAB.com during the festival weekend through Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Filmmakers wishing to have their films removed from ABFAB.com after the festival should notify us following the event.

Live Stream

Subject to technical considerations, portions of the live event, including the Awards Show, may be streamed live through the official Transparent Film Festival TikTok channel:

[https://www.tiktok.com/@transparentfilmfestival](https://www.tiktok.com/@transparentfilmfestival)

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Programming & Category Changes

Transparent Film Festival reserves the right to modify categories, nominations, awards, and programming at its sole discretion.

Because venue capacity and available screening time are limited, not every Official Selection will receive a full live theatrical screening.

Programming decisions are based upon:

• Runtime

• Attendance by filmmakers or representatives

• Nominations

• Audience demand

• Technical requirements

• Overall festival scheduling

Films may move between:

• Official Selection

• Honorable Mention

• Online Showcase

• Live Screening Program

• Awards Program

throughout the programming process.

Longer films may be represented during the live event through clips or excerpts.

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Online Exhibition

Official Selection status and award eligibility remain unchanged whether a film is presented:

• Live in New York City

• Online through ABFAB.com

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Awards & Trophies

The festival presents custom trophies and laurels to winning filmmakers.

Physical awards are generally presented when:

• The filmmaker attends in person

• A designated representative attends

• A pre-recorded acceptance speech has been submitted in advance

Filmmakers, representatives, and nominees in major categories are strongly encouraged to attend.

Important

Acceptance speeches must be received no later than Monday, June 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.

Filmmakers who are not present, do not have a representative present, and do not provide an acceptance speech by that deadline will not be eligible to receive an award during the live presentation.

No filmmaker or representative present + no acceptance speech by June 22 at 5:00 PM EST = no award.

Acceptance speeches should be:

• Maximum runtime: 1 minute

• Landscape orientation

• Minimum resolution: 1920 × 1080 HD

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Award Categories

• Best Director

• Best Actor

• Best Actress

• Best Short Film

• Best Flash Film (Under 5 Minutes)

• Best Foreign Film

• Best New York Film

• Best Documentary

• Best Music Video / Performance Piece

• Best 1-Minute Film Challenge

• Young Filmmaker Award

• Director's Choice Award

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Transparent Film Festival Presents

Throughout the year, Transparent Film Festival showcases films and filmmakers through its Manhattan cable television series and streaming platforms.

Learn more:

[https://www.transparentfilmfestival.com/nyc-television-show](https://www.transparentfilmfestival.com/nyc-television-show)

Filmmakers may be contacted separately regarding interviews, trailers, clips, behind-the-scenes footage, or related promotional material.

Inclusion on Transparent Film Festival Presents does not guarantee festival acceptance.

Final selections, nominations, and awards are determined by festival judges and industry professionals after submissions have closed.

We believe great films deserve an audience, and our mission is to help independent filmmakers find one.

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Questions

[staff@transparentfilmfestival.com](mailto:staff@transparentfilmfestival.com)