Submitting to film festivals can be a costly endeavor, but there are event organizers on FilmFreeway trying to ease the financial pressures on filmmakers by offering application discounts. Here is a list of some of the best film festivals with submission discounts that you can immediately take advantage of.
Full Bloom Film Festival — 25% off
Deadline: June 6
The Full Bloom Film Festival will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary Sept. 11–13. Held in Statesville, North Carolina, Bloom has screened 544 meticulously curated films from 40 different countries throughout its run. The event offers attendees the chance to see a wide variety of international short and feature-length films, as well as partake in filmmaker roundtables.
Organizers are currently interested in submissions for the fest’s narrative feature, documentary feature, short narrative, short documentary, and animation fields. Judges will hand out prizes for each category.
Eastern Oregon Film Festival — 20% off
Deadline: June 13
Held in the Oregon city of La Grande, the Eastern Oregon Film Festival is one of the most serene spots to enjoy a fest. The quaint location offers up numerous hikes, as it’s based between the Wallowa Mountains and the Blue Mountains, and filmmakers can actually relax while enjoying the films on offer. MovieMaker Magazine named it as one of the 25 Coolest Festivals in the World in 2017 and 2022.
This year’s festival will be held Oct. 16–18. Organizers present handmade awards for best short, best feature, and curator’s pick for best film, as well as an award for the film that embodies the spirit of the Eastern Oregon Film Festival.
North Hollywood CineFest — 20% off
Deadline: July 10
The North Hollywood CineFest is a fantastic option for filmmakers based in Los Angeles who want to watch their movies with an audience, but who are also looking to save on travel. The location offers a great chance to network with other creatives. CineFest also celebrates the local community by screening student films from nearby high schools.
The 2025 festival, which is North Hollywood CineFest’s 12th installment, will take place Aug. 28–31. Prizes will be awarded for best picture, best director, best actor, and best actress in the feature and short categories, and there are also prizes for musical, documentary, and thriller shorts.
YoFiFest — 25% off
Deadline: July 13
YoFiFest, or the Yonkers Film Festival, is ideal for New Yorkers and East Coast dwellers looking to breathe in some fresh air and take in delightful views of the Hudson River. The 10-day-long event returns for its 13th edition Nov. 7–16.
Created by filmmakers for filmmakers, YoFiFest looks to help and celebrate filmmakers at different stages of their careers. As well as screenings, there are various networking opportunities, panels, and workshops. Organizers also pride themselves on their selection committee, vowing that each film is viewed at least three times before being accepted.
There are 14 awards handed out during the event, including for narrative feature, documentary feature, episodic, queer screen short, short short/music video, and student short.
Catalina Film Festival — 25% off
Deadline: July 18
One of the most scenic places to visit in Southern California, Catalina Island has long been a favorite vacation spot for Hollywood’s most rich and famous. Powered by the Catalina Film Institute’s motto of “imagination, education, destination,” MovieMaker Magazine included the event on its 2024 “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” and “20 Great Film Festivals in Vacation Destinations” lists. The festival’s next run will be Sept. 24–28.
In addition to handing out numerous awards for domestic and international movies, the fest offers its Lion’s Den pitch panel, where you can pitch your film to potential producers and funders. Its roundtables also regularly include recognized filmmaking talent.
Toronto After Dark Film Festival — 25% off
Deadline: July 25
The Toronto After Dark Film Festival has been bringing some of the freshest and most singular horror, sci-fi, action, and cult movies to the Canadian city for 18 years.
Set for Oct. 15–19, the festival is held at the Scotiabank Theater, the city’s biggest cinema. The festival has a reputation for being run by true fans of its genres, as well as its ability to attract a vibrant crowd of cinephiles. Around 400 fans attend each screening—and the fest hands out credentials to over 100 press and industry professionals, who help publicize each film. Awards include audience choice for best overall feature and short, and specialty awards such as best kill, scariest film, and most original film.
Oxford Film Festival — 25% off
Deadline: Dec. 3
Over two decades, the Oxford Film Festival, held in the Mississippi city just south of Memphis, has prided itself on celebrating and promoting independent cinema. Its 23rd iteration will take place Feb. 26–28, 2026, with programmers aiming to showcase shorts, features, documentaries, and student films from across the world.
Organizers also spotlight work made by regional moviemakers, not just in Oxford but from around Mississippi. Their aim is to bring creatives and audiences closer together so they can connect and build a deeper film community.
Awards include best narrative feature, narrative short, documentary feature, and documentary short, as well as prizes for the best feature and short made by first-time filmmakers.
Tonkawa Film Festival — 50% off
Deadline: Jan. 20, 2026
At first glance, the tiny town of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, might seem like a bizarre spot for a film festival. But its 3,000 citizens have all rallied around the event, which debuted in March 2020. Tonkawa Film Festival’s next run will be April 24–25, 2026.
Organizers ensure that everyone who attends feels embraced and honored. A film festival parade is even held to mark their arrival, while its after-parties provide plenty of opportunities for networking. Held against the backdrop of a small-town atmosphere, it lacks the intensity of other festivals—in a good way.
Primarily focused on shorts, Tonkawa screens local, independent, and arthouse projects, while promoting the Oklahoma film industry. It also makes sure to highlight films from a variety of different genres and filmmakers across the world.
