Get ready for a cinematic adventure like no other as we invite you to the Yosemite Fantasy Film Festival! Nestled within the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite, this extraordinary event is set to take place on June 1st 2024, at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Semi-finalist official selection films screened from 12 PM - 5 PM. Award nominated finalist film showcase starts at 6 PM with doors opening at 5 PM. Trailers will run from 12 PM - 5 PM.

Imagine a world where imagination knows no bounds, where chivalry and fantasy come to life on the silver screen, and where the backdrop is the iconic Yosemite landscape. The Yosemite Fantasy Film Festival is a celebration of all things fantastical and magical, showcasing a carefully curated selection of films that transport you to realms of wonder, enchantment, and adventure. Whether you're a fan of epic battles, mythical creatures, or tales of heroism, this festival promises to cater to your wildest dreams.

All five finalists will have their films featured at our special evening gala at the Mariposa Fantasy Festival on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Free passes to the Yosemite Chivalry & Fantasy Festival for all submissions (Saturday only,) and for all finalists (2-day passes). All Films will be played on a large 21-foot length screen in our media building beginning at 3:00 PM. At the conclusion of the screening, the winners of the categories will be announced by our judges and the guests will have the opportunity to vote on the Audience Choice Award. What makes this festival stand out among other film festivals is we offer film makers who have achieved Semi-Finalist status the opportunity to showcase their work on one of two 10-foot screens with stereo sound in our media building during the day hours. We will provide seating for each screening area.

Awards & Prizes

Award winners will be featured at Yosemite Chivalry & Fantasy Festival

Best Fantasy Film

Best Actor

Best Actress

Best Film Editing

Best Sound Editing/Mixing

Best Visual Effects

People's Choice Award

Rules & Terms

1. Submissions must fall into the realm of fantasy as described by WIKIPEDIA: “Fantasy films are films that belong to the fantasy genre with fantastic themes, usually magic , supernatural events, mythology , folklore , or exotic fantasy worlds . The genre is considered a form of speculative fiction alongside science fiction films and horror films , although the genres do overlap. Fantasy films often have an element of magic, myth , wonder, escapism, and the extraordinary. “

2. No production year or location barrier.

3. Live action and animation are accepted.

4. Festival does not have premiere status requirements. We will happily accept films that have been screened elsewhere and online.

5. All films must not exceed 20 minutes in length from beginning to end, including credits. Please, no exceptions.

6. All applicants submitting material must be 18 years or older.

7. International films in non-English languages are welcome but must include English subtitles. The exception would be films with visual narratives that do not rely on language to tell the story.

8. Pornography will not be accepted.

9. Because the audience at the screenings may include children, it is important the films presented not exceed the PG-13® criteria guidelines provided by the Motion Picture Association Code.

10. Applicants may submit multiple films via separate entry submissions, and films may be submitted to more than one category via separate entry submissions as well.
Each category has a fee.

11. All films must be applicant's original work, or the owner of the film must grant permission if film is submitted on their behalf. All music must be either owned by applicant or licensed to be shown. All films screened at the festival require a signed notification from applicant claiming ownership in order to relieve the festival of any copyright claims.

12. All video files to be screened at our event, must be in either H.264
format (Mpeg 4) or Apple ProRes 422. The picture may be Hd, 2k or
4k. Video apertures may be 1.85:1 to 3.00:1. We prefer frame rates of
24 FPS or 30 FPS for the public screening. Please notify us what
format and frame rate you are providing so we may make appropriate
adjustments. Sound provided by featured finalists films may be in
mono, stereo or 5.1 surround. Please notify us when you provide your
video file what sound format you are using. Along with your video file,
please also provide two backup waive files of your film’s audio, one in
stereo and the other in 5.1 surround (if you wish to screen in 5.1.)
Films screened at the big event will be shown in Apple ProRes 422 4k
format Films screened during the day on the 10 foot screens will be
shown in H.264 (Mpeg 4) 4k format.

13. After we have notified you of your winning status, it is important for
you to send and we receive your video file, backup audio waive files,
and signed paperwork by Monday May 27, 2024. You may send the file
physically, but sending the digital file through the
internet is preferred. We recommend WeTransfer, which is free for files up to 2
gigs or $10 a month for larger files.

14. Festival only accepts submissions via FilmFreeway.com.