Washington Film Awards is a unique seasonal virtual film competition. Attracting both powerhouse companies as well as talented new filmmakers, it is an unparalleled, truly international awards competition, not a traditional film festival – which allows filmmakers from around the world to enter their films in this prestigious competition.

The festival gives talented directors, producers, actors, creative teams the positive exposure they deserve. It discovers and honors the achievements of filmmakers who produce high quality projects. The festival promotes award winners through press releases to filmmakers and industry contacts. Above all, we truly value and honor our filmmaking family.

The festival accepts screenplays (up to 40 pages) and short films (up to 40 minutes long). It offers a seasonal competition. Each season, our jury selects the winners through private screenings. The seasonal winners will qualify for the online screening. Furthermore, all seasonal winners receive a free digital certificate (in JPG), ready for print.

* We don't showcase the full films online.

--- CATEGORY AWARDS

Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Crime Film
Best Romantic Comedy
Best Dark Comedy
Best Mystery Film
Best Parody
Best Western
Best Fantasy Film
Best Film Noir
Best Musical/Dance Film
Best Sci-Fi
Best LGBTQ
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Micro Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Women Emancipation Film
Best Lgbtq Film
Best Indie Film (budget up to $5000)
Best Web Series
Best Music Video
Best Experimental Film
Best Trailer
Best Commercial/Promotional Video
Best Screenplay
Best Original Story

--- CAST & CREW AWARDS

Best Director
Best Indie Filmmaker (film's budget up to $5000)
Best First Time Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Actor in an Indie Film (budget up to $5000)
Best Actress in an Indie Film (budget up to $5000)
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Young Actor (13-18)
Best Young Actress (13-18)
Best Child Actor (5-12)
Best Child Actress (5-12)
Best Ensemble
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects
Young Filmmaker Award (18 and under)

Rules & Terms
1. Submissions in other than English must be subtitled.

2. Multiple entries are allowed from a filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories.

3. Online screeners preferred. If you choose not to upload your project to FilmFreeway’s site, please provide an online link to your submission and be sure to include the password in an email correspondence sent directly to the festival.

4. The festvial does not download data or accept Dropbox submissions. Please only send links to your media hosted on 3rd party servers such as Vimeo or YouTube.

5. Written comments describing entries are beneficial.

6. All films submitted under a “Student Fee” category will be listed as a (Student) on all materials including social media and press releases. Student I.D. required.

7. By submitting your film, take note that:
- You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/screenshots) for promotional purpose.
- You must own all the rights to the video.
- Fees are not refundable.
- We will review up to 40 minutes/pages, even if your film/screenplay is longer (excluding the Television Script category - up to 50 pages).

The festival does not accept the following:
1. Extremist or propaganda
2. Films which were made before 2010

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Listening Raven

    All our appreciation and support to the wonderful people at Washington Film Awards! On behalf of all my brothers & sisters that motivated this humble screenplay writer to create REZ, many thanks from those who made this work possible. Without folks such as those at Washington Film Awards many works would never see the light of day.

    May 2025
  • Aaron Bennett

    What a terrific honor to receive Best Horror and Best Indie Film (under 5k) for Jokers Wild! Thank you Washington Film Awards, you have really made us feel the love. Born in the Evergreen State, this was especially sweet!

    May 2025
  • Thanks for the Washington Film Awards, from your film festival, I have found kindness, encouragement, professional ,enthusiasm... that gave me a lot of gains.
    I am honored to register for your Film Festival

    May 2025
  • MARIA GALL

    A thousand thanks for accepting my movie Peace in this remarkable film festival. I am deeply grateful for passing on my message, in the hope that other hearts, listening to it, will beat for peace throughout the world !

    May 2025
  • Thank you so much Washington Film Awards for honouring my documentary Interpreting Erik from London, Canada. Awesome to be recognized by your great festival! Donald D'Haene..on instagram @donalddhaene1961

    May 2025