The WPL Film Festival is a collaboration between the Watertown Public Library and local theater, The Towne Cinema, to celebrate Wisconsin filmmaking. There is no submission fee for the filmmakers or ticket costs for any audience members who attend the event. Our festival takes place over two days in March, highlighting multiple film genres!

Local or aspiring filmmakers will have the chance to submit their short film to be shown on one of the Towne Cinema's silver screens. Any film entry, whether live action, animated, or documentary, is welcome. Our festival is a great opportunity for new and seasoned filmmakers to showcase their work while connecting with others who share the same passion. Every filmmaker who attends will be able to take part in a Q&A and a one-of-a-kind experience.

Awards & Prizes

Longtime members of our Cinema Club, a program at the Watertown Public Library, serve as the judges for the event. They will preview and select the winners in advance. One film in each block will receive the "Best of the Block" award and one film from each night of the festival will win the WPL Audience Award.

Rules & Terms

1. Director of film must be a current Wisconsin resident or student to enter
2. All film genres welcome
3. One submission per person
4. Film's title must be included within the film
5. Films are required to have English subtitles if recorded in a language other than English
6. Three minute minimum runtime with fifteen minute maximum runtime (including credits)
7. No obscene and vulgar content permitted. Films must be appropriate for age thirteen and older or will be disqualified
8. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure legal use of all copyrighted content part of their film
9. All films will be screened by Staff before selection
10. Not all films submitted are guaranteed to be selected
11. Older films are welcome, though recent films may be prioritized
12. Filmmakers retain all ownership of their film
13. Films screened at our festival years prior will not be reconsidered
14. If accepted, filmmakers must provide an MP4 file of the film
15. Deadline for entering films is January 1st 2026
16. If the number of films entered is not sufficient, the Festival will be cancelled

7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jennell Jenney

    Really great time! One of the coolest little movie theatres in the state and Noah and his crew do a ton to make everything feel personal and polished!

    March 2026
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  • Earl Martin

    One of the best festivals in Wisconsin. Very well organized and executed. As of now, it's only for Wisconsin filmmakers, and I encourage those from WI to submit. The event grew substantially from its first year. Should it continue to grow and include films from other states, I would also encourage you to submit. The venue is a 100+ year old theater called The Towne Cinema, and it's very cool. The organizers do a great job at making the filmmakers feel special and seen.

    March 2026
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  • Lola Milanovic

    It was an incredibly wonderful experience returning to the WPL Film Festival for the second year, and I‘m hoping it gets many more down the line. The festival director was helpful in organizing the screenings and showcasing Wisco filmmakers!

    March 2026
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  • Zack Whitford

    We had a great time at the WPL Film Festival! The organizers were great! Great communication throughout the process, and we were given information way ahead of the event date. There was a networking event in the form of an ice cream social, which was really fun, and a great time to get to know some filmmakers before seeing everyone's work. Loved our experience at this festival and hope to be back next year!

    March 2026
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  • steve chappell

    Three words to describe the WPL FILM FEST… AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!! This festival is well organized by a staff of true film buffs. It takes place in a charming, classic, main-street, cinema decorated with all kinds of great movie memorabilia. I love how this festival encourages interaction between the film makers and watchers. Great Q & A sessions followed each block, and there was a special ice cream social held for filmmakers-only during the afternoon of day 2. What a great opportunity to network with fellow artists! This was year two of this new annual festival. I’m looking forward to year three and I definitely recommend that other filmmakers check this one out!! Bravo WPL FILM FEST!!! 👏👏👏

    March 2026
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