Now entering its eighth year, the Wolf Tree Film Festival proudly presents a vibrant showcase of short films from every genre, alongside standout music videos competing in the Michigan Music Video Awards categories.

To qualify, all submissions must be connected to the Great Lakes region — whether by setting, thematic focus, or creators who live or grew up in this distinctive area.* Films are welcome up to 30 minutes in length; music videos, up to 6 minutes. We embrace all styles and storytelling approaches, inviting fresh voices and visions.

Please note: Only films and music videos meeting these regional and time criteria will be considered for inclusion.

Festival highlights include public screenings of every selected entry, an awards ceremony honoring excellence, opportunities to meet fellow filmmakers and artists, and an interactive filmmaker roundtable.

Set against the charming backdrop of historic Marshall, Michigan, the festival takes place at The Franke Center for the Arts — a beautifully repurposed 1921 church, now a venue for world-class concerts, theater and other events. This small town’s thriving arts community adds a uniquely warm and welcoming atmosphere to the festival.

Why “Wolf Tree?” According to legend, the Wolf Tree was a lone, prominent tree that once stood in the middle of Marshall. The first settlers in the area sought refuge in the heights of the tree as wolves and bears roamed the dirt lane and forest that would one day become the city’s downtown. Later, a platform was built in the large oak’s branches where it is said a sentry, seeking the faint glow of wolves’ eyes, would hunt, eager to protect the village from threats hidden in the darkness below. It is a wild history, a bold story, and a great homage to the films that will be featured at this exciting annual event.

*The Great Lakes region includes all states and territories bordering the lakes: Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

The Wolf Tree Film Festival will observe all public health and safety guidelines to ensure a welcoming and secure experience for all attendees.

Awards & Prizes

A juried award will be presented for Best of Festival and Video of the Year. Additional juried awards may be added prior to the festival, pending film and music video entries.

An Audience Choice award will also be given.

All award winners may receive a physical award.

Rules & Terms

IMPORTANT: Films and music videos must be set in the Great Lakes region OR include themes or topics related to the region OR be the work of filmmakers or musicians who reside in or grew up in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes region is defined as any state or territory that touches one of the Great Lakes (including Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York).

Submitted films should be no longer than 30 minutes, and music videos should be no longer than 6 minutes. Please do not submit your work unless it meets these criteria.

Films and videos are accepted only through electronic submission via FilmFreeway. The application fee is $5.

More than one entry may be submitted; however, each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.

All rights must be held by the individual making the submission and/or legal documentation must be provided confirming that permission has been granted by the copyright holder for the film to be shown as part of the festival.

Submission of a film or video grants Wolf Tree the right to screen your work in front of a live audience, as well as part of a livestream during and at the festival, if applicable.

Films and videos selected for screening will be notified via email. Awards will be determined by a juried panel (prior to the festival) and/or audience selection (at the festival). Awards will be presented on the night of the festival and shared through various media channels following the event.

Wolf Tree reserves the right to promote clips or stills from your film or video on social media, based on the press kit(s) provided upon submission or selection.

Wolf Tree retains the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed as soon as possible about any changes via our online platforms and email.

Wolf Tree places no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.

Any technical issues with submitted films or videos are the sole responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, the video file does not work, lacks English subtitles (if in a language other than English), or fails to meet submission criteria, it will be automatically rejected without refund. Please contact the festival team as soon as possible if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be found.

Wolf Tree will not provide submission refunds.

By submitting to Wolf Tree, filmmakers agree to the noted terms and conditions. Wolf Tree reserves the right to update these terms and conditions. Upon update, each submitting party will be notified.
26 Reviews
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  • Ben Kurstin

    What a fun, great festival. A stones throw from Chicago, in a cute little downtown area. They fed us, gave us time to talk to the other filmmakers and audience. Will be submitting to them again.

    April 2026
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  • Caitlyn Shaw

    One of the best film festivals I've been to in Michigan! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Definitely going back next year.

    April 2026
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  • Jazmine Broe

    Wolf Tree was well organized. We appreciated the dinner beforehand and the intermission which gave us time to connect with other filmmakers. There were no technical issues with the video or sound and the audience was amazing. Having a Wolf Tree team member say a few words about each film before it screened was a really nice touch. We would recommend this festival to anyone and we hope to be back in future years.
    -Jazmine Kuyayki Broe & Mark Broe

    April 2026
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  • Adam Burns

    The best small town film festival in Michigan! Great crowd, great films, and great atmosphere. You can tell the committee really knows their selections!

    April 2026
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  • Christopher Owens

    On behalf of CESO ENTERPRISES, INC., Alyssa Dann, and Chris Oledude, I would like to compliment the organizers and operators of Wolf Tree Film Festival. We are proud to have had the opportunity to showcase our work, “Orange Blues 24” in your festival, as well as share the spotlight with so many talented film makers. Submitting our film was a simple process, and everyone who contacted us on behalf of this festival was helpful, and easy to communicate with. Although we were not able to attend in person, this will remain a highlight of our year, and we recommend submitting your work to this wonderful festival! We certainly intend to participate again in the future.

    Thank you
    -Alyssa and Chris

    February 2025
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