The Woods Hole Film Festival is a showcase of independent film spotlighting the work of emerging filmmakers from around the world. We emphasize cinematography in the film selection process. We also promote the work of WHFF alumni both during and after the Festival. In addition to screening 100-150 works over the 8 day Festival, we offer workshops geared toward both veteran and emerging filmmakers. Additionally, we program a year-round screening series which offers a potential second screening opportunity for Festival filmmakers. All categories are competitive with both audience and Jury awards.

We offer Audience awards, Jury awards and Directors Choice awards. We offer prizes annually, but they are TBD.

The Woods Hole Film Festival will present the 34th Annual Woods Hole Film Festival from July 26 - August 2, 2025.

Filmmaker/Screenwriter attendance strongly encouraged. Category, screening time, date, venue and format determination is at sole discretion of Festival. Woods Hole Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival and for promotional purposes. If accepted, filmmaker will be available to help promote the film. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless Woods Hole Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening media entered.

A film/screenplay that is submitted is in consideration until such time as the filmmaker/screenwriter receives notification from the Festival. A film/screenplay that is withdrawn prior to or post notification will not be eligible to receive a refund of the submission fee. Once a film is selected as an official selection by the Festival, a film may not be withdrawn from the Festival by the filmmaker for any reason whatsoever. Filmmaker agrees to comply with all Festival rules and requirements and abide by Festival code of conduct. An official selection offer may be revoked by the Festival if a filmmaker does not comply with all Festival rules and requirements.

WHFF does not pay screening fees for films in the summer festival. However, films which are selected for inclusion and participate in the summer festival program are prioritized for paid screening opportunities in our various season series.

Film may not screen in a non-Festival screening within 90 miles of the Woods Hole Film Festival 3 months prior and 1 month post Festival. Exceptions may apply, but must be approved by WHFF prior to the Festival in order for the film to maintain its status as an official selection in competition. In general, WHFF screens films in competition that are completed within a 2-year period prior to the current Festival edition, however, the Festival may program films made prior to the 2-year period at our discretion or as a special screening.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sunita Soliar & Statten Roeg

    We weren’t able to make it to Woods Hole in person, but we were very jealous of everyone who did – it looked like a really fun festival with a lot of personality. They put on a lot of virtual events so us international filmmakers didn’t feel left out and were extremely responsive and helpful.

    October 2024
  • Connie Jo Sechrist

    Woods Hole is an amazing festival with an extremely dedicated team. Their programming is top notch, and the experience at the festival is so warm and welcoming with a lot of filmmaker events. I hope to return to Woods Hole again and again!

    September 2024
  • Great curation of films, well organized, awesome staff, and it's set in a perfectly quaint seaside town in Cape Cod. Fantastic festival all around!

    September 2024
  • Julius Galacki

    I was very pleased to have won the 2024 Best Comedy Screenplay for my script "DON'T EAT PAPER!" While it wasn't financially feasible for me to attend in person for what looked like a charming festival (from the photos I saw), I did have regular communication prior to the festival as they provided a pdf of the program booklet, laurels and various publicity materials (much more materials than most festivals have provided where my screenplay have been an official selection / finalist), and also direct, very positive communication with the festival's screenplay director after the festival.

    August 2024
  • This was my first time back at WoodsHole in over 10 years, and it was even better than the first time. My film, The Blues Society, had a great audience who asked excellent questions and a fantastic moderator, Hortense Gerardo, who kicked things off and kept the discussion going. After the screenings, filmmakers and fest staff convened at a local bar for networking over drinks. Truly a fantastic fest!

    August 2024