Your Story Matters Film Festival

Purpose of "Your Story Matters" Film Festival:

The Your Story Matters Film Festival was founded in 2020 to give independent filmmakers a platform to unapologetically tell their stories in a safe environment. Many times films are overlooked in the overhaul of submissions, and filmmakers trying to get into festivals and fit into genre and theme boxes that some films just don't fit into. The Your Story Matters Film Festival will bring independent filmmakers from all over the world together into one space of fair judgment, awards, and opportunity. The bottom line we want all independent filmmakers to know is YOUR STORY MATTERS!

As we are filmmakers ourselves, we know the heart and passion that goes into an independent project, and the work it takes for film festival submission and subsequent acceptance leading to awards. With that understood we built a formula that allowed smaller pool selections, and gradual progression leading to the final award determination. Giving more filmmakers a voice, chance, and space to be screened. Our judges have been selected for their work in the industry, arts, and passion for film. Heart and determination is important to us here at the Your Story Matters Film Festival.

Modelled after the post-COVID-19 online screening foundation, Your Story Matters Film Festival will hold quarterly online screenings, and a yearly screening and awards ceremony for the best of the festival.

Best Feature film
Best Featurette
Best Short Film
Best Micro Short Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Web Series Pilot
Best International (non US) Film
Best Director
Best Leading Actor
Best Leading Actress
Best Edit
Best Score
Best Screenplay
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Audience Award

No cut off date for when submission was created
Filmmakers can submit as many films, and to as many sub categories as they want
All genres accepted
For student fees, it is mandatory the student status evidence (e.g copy of student card included in the project).

The films must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English).

By submitting your film, you agree that:
1. Your Story Matters Film Festival can use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster) for promotional purposes.
2. Entry fees are non-refundable.
3. You own all the rights to the film.
4. You can withdraw your submission only during the 5 days after.
5. You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.

6. Filmmakers will be responsible for promoting screenings and inviting an audience for their film in addition to the promotional work the Your Story Matters Film Festival will be doing.

We only accept entries via the FilmFreeway online screener or a private Vimeo link that you can send after submitting. Please check the individual categories for specifics. Whilst there are no premiere requirements, films must not be available online. If found to be available online your film will no longer be eligible and your submission fee will not be returned.

For Quarterly Screenings we will allow all filmmakers to attend for free, for the yearly and awards we will provide all filmmakers and one guest free admittance to the online event.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Charles A. Christman III

It was an honor to be apart of this wonderful film festival! A must submit to any indie filmmakers!

May 2021

Helpful
Behzad Alavi

The festival is good, but the connection between the festival and the filmmaker is weak.

January 2021

Helpful
S.L. Sawyer

Great festival. I'm happy to be apart of it.

January 2021

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Katt Gilcrease

Your Story Matters has been a lot of fun. The communication has been great. The films chosen were very good, high quality projects. The folks involved helped get our film up and running when we could not get them a better link. There might have been a few viewing glitches but had we had a better link that might have solved the issue. Not the festivals fault at all. And something that can be easily solved. We truly felt like we mattered and that our story truly mattered. And in this terrible time of covid they were able to put on a serous and really nice festival. ( .... and it’s still not over.....more to come this year...) I’m sure this festival is only going to get more fun, and able to present beautiful, professional films for a while to come. Congratulations to the Your Story Matters team for hosting a successful festival and for giving us filmmakers a platform for our work, and to the filmmakers and the audience for participating. Still more to come ! Stay tuned!
Thank you for everything,
Katt Gilcrease
Third Base

December 2020

Helpful
sheri ratick stroud

This was the first year for this festival. There were some technical problems that caused the films to not be in sync. I'm sure that this will be addressed and not be a problem in the future. Aside from that, I would rate this festival very high. They were concerned about the filmmakers and kept us updated on what was happening. And all the emails were humorous and personalized. I would definitely submit to them again and look forward to being able to meet the coordinators in person when possible.

December 2020

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