Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization that provides an array of services to people with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Each year we host our Moving Images Film Festival, which uses the power of film and accompanying panel discussions to raise awareness, foster important dialogue, and fight against the prejudice and discrimination often faced by people who have mental health conditions and disabilities. The event is free, open to the public, and usually draws around 500+ people each year. We have been virtual the last 3 years and are excited to be back in person in 2024!

Awards & Prizes

Every year, we carefully select a few stars of the selected films, particularly those considered suitable by our organization's content experts, to take part in the film festival. Subsequently, we arrange for their travel to Boston, MA, where we invite them to engage in a Q&A panel, providing them with the opportunity to share their experiences.

Rules & Terms

General Submission Requirements and Rules

-Eligibility: Open to all filmmakers (ages 18+) in the United States. There is no fee for submitting a film.
-Films must not longer than 120 minutes. Short films also are accepted.
-Films that are not in English must be subtitled.
-Ultimately, all films screened at the Moving Images Film Festival will be subtitled. Please provide your film with subtitles. (Not a requirement.)
-Entries must be submitted for pre-screening via Vimeo, YouTube link, or other online access. If you use a secured link, you are required to keep us updated with passwords or your film may be rejected.
-You may submit multiple entries, but must fill out a separate entry form.
-Finalists agree to have their films shown at the Moving Images Film Festival and to have their content used in promotional materials for the festival.
-Films must not contain profanity, nudity or excessive violence.
-Films shot completely on a mobile device are acceptable.
-Works in progress are not accepted.
-By submitting a film to the Moving Images Film Festival, the filmmaker(s) acknowledges, represents and affirms that he/she has:
*obtained consent from any and all other persons or entities who have ownership rights, licenses or interests (including without limitation, intellectual property rights, rights of publicity, distribution licenses, etc.) in the film, and
*obtained and otherwise cleared any and all rights to all materials included in such film (including, without limitation, with respect to all music included in the film, all copyrighted works and trademarked content used in the film, all participants featured in the film, etc).

Please reach out to lopezsa@vinfen.org if you have any questions!