Under Worlds Film Fest

Films will be judged and selected based on their narrative quality. Action Films, Comedies, Horror, and Dramas can all be Horror if the setting or story lines have a particular horrific bent. We especially love SciFi Horror.

Horror films aim to create a sense of distress, panic, alarm, and dread for the audience. They can be unsettling either through what is portrayed on screen, or the thoughts they provoke inside the viewer, preying on our worst fears and nightmares. Documentaries and animation will be accepted as long as the films are story-based and not experimental or facts-and-figures types of filmmaking and would be of interest to genre fans (we've played docs every year). Music Videos will be acceptable if they tell a cohesive story (think "Take On Me" by A-ha). Films can be one-minute or feature length and of any production quality, we are looking to reward ingenuity, not your ability to buy an authentic xenomorph costume. Features must be 41 minutes or longer, Shorts 40 minutes or shorter.

UnderWorlds is a green festival. Features and Shorts must be submitted as an online screener. You may use the FilmFreeway system or Vimeo, although Vimeo is preferred because it allows for streaming to giant television sets through things like Roku or Amazon Fire. Please check your upload and make sure that it plays properly, has sound and (if foreign) English subtitles. Under Worlds is not responsible for the streaming quality of Secure Online Submissions uploaded by the filmmaker. If your entry is unable to be watched by our programmers due to issues with your upload, your film may be disqualified and no refund will be made.

Features and Shorts must be available to screen as a digital file. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file, DO NOT SUBMIT your film.

Films may not have been shown publicly (online, theatrically, on VOD or at a festival) prior to December 1, 2019. If a film was submitted to Other Worlds, we are happy to reconsider it for Under Worlds 2022, but only recommend re-submission if significant changes have been made. Films must be available for screening during Under Worlds, May 2022.

Films must be AUSTIN PREMIERES. Just to be clear, your film cannot have screened at any other Austin-based festival and remain eligible for Under Worlds. This includes Austin Revolution, Austin Lift-Off, Austin Spotlight, Austin Indie, Austin Comedy, Austin Micro, Austin After Dark, Austin Under the Stars, Etherial or any other festival that screens in Austin. Also always be sure the Austin festival you submit to screens in an actual theater on a weekend and its run by people who actually live in Austin and can get an audience in to see your film. Once Austin became the coolest place in the US, festivals started popping up every other week here. Some are run by Los Angelenos and screen films on Tuesday evening for audiences of 3 unsuspecting filmmakers.

Other than Austin, no other premiere status is required. Quality of filmmaking equal, some preference will be given to World, US or Texas Premieres. Short films available publicly online will be eligible for the festival, but features will not. Short films that have appeared on US network or cable television will also be eligible for screening at the festival, features that have appeared on US network or cable television or available for VOD/download/purchase will not be eligible for screening at the festival.

Under Worlds does not pay screening fees under any circumstance. By submitting your film, you are agreeing to screen your film without a screening fee or any other compensation if selected.

COMPETITION CERTIFICATION I/We have read all of the Under Worlds (a.k.a. Festival or UW) rules. I/We understand and have complied with these rules. I/We warrant the submission of my/our original work and there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission. I/We also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I/we fully indemnify the Festival against any claim made for such violations of law. To the best of my/our knowledge, all of the statements herein are true and correct. I/We understand that failure to adhere to the Festival rules will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. I/We agree to hold Under Worlds 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. Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees.

Please note: Under Worlds does not waive entry fees. Entry fees are the primary source of income for the running of the festival. We understand the financial constraint of filmmaking and costs of submitting to festivals and have kept our fees low in order to allow the most number of submissions as possible. We hope you can find it in your budget to submit your film.