The 9th Annual Wheaton Film Festival, taking place November 11, 2023, is a great opportunity for filmmakers from across the world to showcase their talent and learn about the industry. Everyone is welcome to submit their films, watch screenings, and/or attend the panel discussions. The event will have online distribution -and- may also have local in-person activities if health & safety considerations allow.

Categories for submissions include:
• General Submission- for films up to 15 minutes in length from filmmakers located anywhere.
• Student - for filmmakers who are currently students or were students at the time of making the film.
• Local - for films that were produced in or are about Montgomery County, Maryland, United States and/or produced by a filmmaker from Montgomery County, Maryland, United States.

This event is supported in part by the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Chuck Levin's Music Center, Arune LLC, DC Filmmakers, Adobe Software, FilmConvert, Quick Film Budget, Red Giant, Sound Department, Pro Cuts Editing Services, Write Brothers, iPitch, Streamline Management, Promethean Fundraising, and Clairvoyance LLC. This event is produced by Arune LLC. Our promotional partners include DC Filmmakers, Docs In Progress, TIVA, WIFV, Creative Edge Collaborative, WALA, GB Youth Media, Wheaton Arts Parade, Wheaton & Kensington Chamber of Commerce, Maryland Film Office, Yelp, and DC Media Makers.

Awards & Prizes

General Category:
"Levin Grand Prize" - Jury Award for Best Film in General category

Student Category:
"Kamen Grand Prize" - Jury Award for Best Student Film

Local Category:
"Wheaton Award" - Jury Award for Best Community Story in Local category

Prizes provided by sponsors may include software and/or services from Adobe Software, FilmConvert, Quick Film Budget, Red Giant, Sound Department, Pro Cuts Editing Services, Write Brothers, iPitch, Wheaton Arts Parade, etc.

Awards certificates will also be provided.

Rules & Terms

If you are submitting in the Local category, please provide a brief explanation as to how you qualify.

If you are submitting as a Student Filmmaker, please provide the school you are attending (or attended) and your student number.

FILM SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Filmmakers are welcome to either submit a FilmFreeway online screener or a YouTube/Vimeo Link. No other submission formats are accepted.

You may enter any film produced within the last 5 years that is 15 minutes or less in total duration. If a film is accepted, entrant will be solely responsible for delivering their exhibition video files in advance via shared cloud drive.

After you submit, please check your FilmFreeway online account to see if your film has been received. Please don't contact us to find out if your film has been received. Check online.

All accepted films MUST provide a 60 second or less recorded video introduction by the producer or director that will be shown to the audience in conjunction with the film.

31 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Justis Aderibigbe

    I was honored to get to take part in this years Wheaton film festival, they clearly care about how they organize this because they were on top of everything and very consistent communicators. This was especially good for this years online platform. Loved getting to attend such a well run fest!

    December 2021
    Helpful
  • Adam Eltarhoni

    Wheaton Film Festival was a great event this year. In addition to the film screenings, they set up networking events for other filmmakers to connect (virtually), as well as had expert panels speaking about various film topics, such as Grant Writing for films.
    I recommend this festival to anyone who wants to see great films and learn more about how to expand your film making expertise.

    December 2021
    Helpful
  • Peter Kimball

    Fantastic festival. Great people and high quality films. I definitely recommend submitting to this festival and checking out their program.

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Rikki Stinnette

    We were so honored to have Wheaton Film Festival screen our short, Revenge of the Electric Cart! Brian and Naomi did an excellent job of running the festival and brought in some engaging and informative speakers for the weekend panels. The panels are definitely a highlight as they are interactive and provide some good networking opportunities. This is a lovely festival that offers a lot for filmmakers and film-watchers alike--I can't wait for an in-person iteration!

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Lisa Gold

    My short has played in 50 festivals, and I gotta say, Wheaton was absolutely one of the best experiences I've had. Super well organized, great filmmaker talks as well as films. The festival was completely online but I nonetheless felt included and part of it--which is not an easy task. I also won an award and the bundle of prizes was GREAT. You can't go wrong submitting to Wheaton: if it's online next year, it'll be great, and even better if it's in person.

    November 2021
    Helpful