Wolf Tree Film Festival

In its fifth year, Wolf Tree Film Festival aims to showcase films set in the Great Lakes region or that include themes or topics related to the region, as well as the work of filmmakers 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 all genres will be considered.

The festival will take place at The Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall, MI* and will include screenings of each selected film, a Q&A with select filmmakers, an awards presentation, and a filmmaker roundtable with industry professionals.

The Wolf Tree Film Festival is housed in historic Marshall, Michigan, a gorgeous small town with a vibrant artistic community. Hosted by the Franke Center for the Arts and Marshall’s Youngish Professionals Committee, the festival is held at Franke Center, originally a church built in 1921, now an arts complex that is the proud home of world-class concerts, inspiring theater, and award-winning movies.

Why “Wolf Tree?” According to legend, the Wolf Tree was a lone, prominent tree that once stood in the middle of Marshall. The first settler 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 festival will adhere to all public health and safety recommendations at the time of the event.

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

An Audience Choice award will also be given.

All award winners may receive a physical award. Pending festival sponsorship and donations, additional small cash prizes may also be provided.

Films are accepted only through electronic submission via FilmFreeway. 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.

Films must be set in the Great Lakes region or that include themes or topics related to the region, as well as the work of filmmakers 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).

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

Film submission grants Wolf Tree the right to screen your film in front of a live audience as well as part of a live stream during and at the festival, if applicable.

Films 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 the night of the festival and shared through various media channels following the festival.

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

Wolf Tree retains the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed ASAP about any changes through our online platforms/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 the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, the video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), it will be automatically rejected without refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP 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 our terms and conditions. Upon update, each submitting party will be notified.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Owen Imgrund

Great fest! Even though I was not able to attend, the blended roundtable before the festival was a great boon and the advice I received there set me thinking about how to better find my target audience. Great time and they actually send out real physical trophies!

February 2023

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TL Westgate

What a unique fest! I love the format and tried desperately to attend, but it was not in the cards for me this year. If accepted sometime in the future, I will definitely attend their fest with the awesome format.

January 2023

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Tanner Hamilton

Great little festival in a fun little town. Very gracious hosts, great networking, absolutely beautiful venue (shoutout to the Franke Center) and a lovely selection of films. Each one felt like it was meant to be there, and they all worked well together. Super solid programming. As a filmmaker, the extra benefits like the dinner, roundtable discussion and networking were really nice to have, and were very much appreciated. Thanks for having us, can't wait to return year after year!

January 2023

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Michelle Elise Harding

This is an excellent, small festival with big heart! It was a unique experience -- with a wonderful roundtable to kick off the night. The communication from the directors was incredible, and they made every filmmaker feel special. We had the chance to introduce our film "Pressed" before it played, which most festivals don't do. It really felt like a small family! Highly recommend this homey festival.

January 2023

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Salim Laham

Excellent Staff & Excellent Film Festival! My short Film "Joy"has been to so many different festivals , with so many different diverse audiences ,but the audience in this film festival made it real special ! By Award my short Film "Joy" with the audience Choice Award! Hopefully we will be able to see you all next year as well!

January 2023

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