So we are back for 2023! We will now be entering our eleventh year!

We highlight short films with especially post-apocalyptic subject matter and, in addition, alternative films displaying a certain character right at home in the post nuke society. Films meeting certain criteria will be screened as part of the competition, others will simply be for exhibition.

We also screen select features, if they fit in one of the categories. NONFEATURES submitted as FEATURES will be disqualified. Read the rules before submitting.

Once again, WFF will be a big part of the Wasteland Weekend experience, a 5 day party in the desert where people dress up in post apocalyptic fashion, usually imitating Mad Max or Fallout styles and anyone attending Wasteland Weekend has free admission into the festival. Check out www.wastelandweekend.com for more details on how to obtain tickets.

Money will be divided among the winners (Post Apoc Grand Prize, Post Apoc Runner Up, Best Animated Film, Best Music Video, Best Atmospheric/Weird Film, and if enough entries for it, Best Genre Action Film). Extra award money might be added as we move closer to the festival.

Money prizes require a valid Paypal account to receive and must be collected within 2-3 months after awards are revealed.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES (for FEATURE LENGTH FILMS, check out EXHIBITION-ONLY below)
1. Post-apocalyptic films that meet eligibility requirements (outlined below).
2. Alternative films that meet eligibility requirements.
The alternative category would cover such films as cool weird/cult films: Think Videodrome, think H.P. Lovecraft, think Alejandro Jodorowsky, Takashi Miike, or even something you could see playing in a Fallout Game (some over-the-top 50s parody). This does not mean bad films that are so bad they're good, like Troll 2. This means quality films that are offbeat, but have a sort of weird charm to them. We'd also accept sci-fi films in this category.
3. Music Video, the more post apocalyptic or stylish, the better.
4. Genre Action Film, one of the more open ended categories, whether it be sci-fi, martial arts, or more good ol' post apocalyptic.
5. Audience Award, any film can qualify for this, including the features.

EXHIBITION-ONLY CATEGORIES
1. Feature Films are ALL films that are 60+ minutes. No fees, no cost, just submit under the feature film category ONLY. LIMITED SPACE!

SUBMISSIONS
Filmmakers should include a short (100 words or less) description of their film (including year produced and other places it has been exhibited). You may also include some information about the filmmakers (100 words or less). Please be sure to list the category your film best fits when you submit. However, the Wasteland Film Festival reserves the right to categorize your film as we see fit.

ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for award consideration, films must be under 45 minutes in length. Films that have previously appeared online (youtube, etc.) or in film festivals are eligible for prizes, but must have been made after Jan 1st, 2018. Films made prior to 2018 but after 2014 are also eligible, but ONLY if they have never before been publicly shown online, on DVD/video, or in a film festival. Basically, you made it a long time ago, but this is the first time it's been shown anywhere.

Films longer than 45 minutes, or that otherwise don't fit eligibility requirements may still be submitted for screening as exhibitions only (assuming the submitter controls exhibition rights to the film as outlined below).

Filmmakers do not need to be present during the screenings at wasteland weekend in order to be eligible for awards.

WAIVERS (for Late Deadline)
Waivers will only be offered to anyone who fits the following:
A. If you attended any of the last three years of Wasteland Weekend.
B. If you have had a film previously accepted and screened in any of the previous years of the Wasteland Film Festival.
C. If you have communicated with the film fest coordinator during any previous year of the festival, some special consideration might be made.

No other inquiries will be accepted (so you better have a good reason for contacting us for a waiver if you do not fit the above).

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sebastián Alonso de Florida

    Amazing opportunity to drive crazy content for even crazier people! I submitted my film from across another country and couldn't attend, but the attention was excelent.

    October 2022
  • Michael Bauer

    Amazing time. The only film festival in the middle of a post apocalyptic desert border town. A very unique adventure.

    October 2022
    Wasteland
    Response from festival:

    Thanks and it was great seeing you there! Maybe next year I will make it to the last rites! I keep ending up distracted. You know how it is, on a wasteland night!

  • Louis Reifenauer

    Great Apocalyptic Festival !! John Knight is the greatest Mastermind of this Festival, and his crew seems unbeatable in this desert mayhem !! Nothing like could ever happen elsewhere !! Thanks to have shown my shortfilm to the outstanding people who gathered there !!! Best wishes !!!!

    October 2022
    Wasteland
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for being apart of our line up this year! Discovering the more unique, creatively out there films are why we do what we do! Being able to show that!

  • tineke van veen

    We were very happy that our film Unsettling Dust was selected for the festival. Although we were not able to attend the festival we thank de organisation for showing our film on Saterday!!

    October 2022
    Wasteland
    Response from festival:

    You were there in spirit and Unsettling Dust lived up to its name. Cheers to all your future prospects!

  • Justin Hackert

    Thank you for selecting my short film, Hot Steel In The Sun for the Wasteland Film Festival! I can't wait to apply again in the future.

    October 2022
    Wasteland
    Response from festival:

    And we can't wait to see what films you have for us next! Hot Steel in the Sun certainly captured the post apocalyptic spirit at the heart of what we do! Thanks for joining us this year!