The Unspooled Film and Animation Festival strives to be a platform for independent filmmaking and animation, creative expression and multimedia entertainment. By screening content, offering workshops, and hosting guest speakers/panels the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival actively supports emerging and seasoned storytellers. We seek to highlight the convergence of technology and imagination through presentation events, premieres, exhibitions, and outreach.

Best Animated Short
Best Student Animation
Best Narrative Live Action Film
Best Student Live Action Film
Best Documentary
Best High School Film (Future Voices Showcase)

Selected projects from all categories will be presented to the public at the Festival Event in Spring as well as an encore event in Fall.

Feature and Short Films/Animations:
Unspooled showcases short, feature, and animation films from emerging talent and established content creators with unique perspectives and audacious new ideas. Films invited to participate in the 2023 Festival Event will be shown in the section determined most appropriate by Festival programmers at their sole discretion.

Eligible projects include feature films/animations (runtime ≥ 40 minutes), short films/animations (runtime < 40 minutes); including documentaries, narratives, commercial projects, animation, and experimental films.

How to enter
Apply online via FilmFreeway.

Entry Materials
You are responsible for ensuring the streaming link is functional, and the link and password submitted are accurate.

Multiple Entries
Each project must be individually submitted; please do not send links to multiple projects, as any or all of them may be disqualified.

Re-Entry
If your project was submitted and considered for previous editions of the Festival, you may re-enter it if you have made significant changes and all applicable eligibility requirements are met at the time of entry.

Invited Projects
Invited creators will be notified by email or phone using the information on the submitted entry form. Ensure the festival is updated with new contact information or any other festival invitations before the event.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Zahra Azadpour

    “Unspooled Film and Animation Festival is a professional, well‑organized, and inspiring event. The communication with filmmakers is excellent, and the selection reflects real artistic care. I’m honored that my film was included.”

    May 2026
    Response from festival:

    This means everything to us, Zahra! Thank you for the beautiful review, and more importantly, thank you for bringing the powerful vision of Dark Orange to Unspooled.

  • We had a great time, thank you for having us!

    May 2026
    Response from festival:

    Badge of The Dead was a great animation! Thanks for sharing it was us!

  • Thank you for the opportunity to show my film!

    June 2025
    Response from festival:

    Salamander's Land is a true work of art! Thanks for sharing it with us!

  • Melina Her

    Unspooled is a hidden gem in the midwest. Being able to experience films from both the local and international level was a fun viewing experience. The organizers were very helpful and accommodating with any specific needs we had. Thank you for allowing our student film VOHRA to be included in your screening, and it was a tremendous honor of being awarded the Polytechnic Pioneer title. Definitely recommended from both an attendee experience and filmmaker experience :)

    May 2025
    Response from festival:

    VOHRA is such a cool and exciting animated short! I'm so glad you were able to attend.

  • Mhairi Kerr

    Although I was unable to attend, I did speak with Jonathan Wheeler, one of the organizers. It was apparent that Unspooled wants to bring the world to their students, so they can appreciate and learn from the work of others. There is a definite enthusiasm here. Highly recommended.

    May 2025
    Response from festival:

    It was wonderful speaking with you. I felt a great sense of honor sharing your words with the audience at the event.