We are looking for BRAVE STORIES, feature films and shorts, animation, digital Series, music videos and live action narratives and documentaries that showcase Bravery! We invite you to submit your films that would be a great showcase in our fest. We want to celebrate movies in all genres that bravely explore how we think, how we live, how we interact with others and how we see the world anew. We're looking to elevate brave voices by those who make films and tell stories.

We will have both in person fest screenings and online.

STAY TUNED for celebrity guests, social media ambassadors, and hosts!

Brave Stories change the world and we want to celebrate YOURS with live screenings, red carpet, Q&A's, networking events, workshops and parties. Submissions exclusively on FilmFreeway.

Our Festival will be screening all films in DCP the industry standard playback format for digital cinema (and some in .mp4 format). All filmmakers selected to screen there films in person at the Century 20 theater MUST submit their film by DCP (using our partner SIMPLE DCP) by June10th. NO EXCEPTIONS any films that do not meet the deadline will not be included in the festival.

The BraveMaker Film Festival has partnered with Simple DCP to handle all film print
deliveries this year. Simple DCP will offer our filmmakers a 20% discount on DCP creation services and complimentary archival services. There will be no charge for filmmakers who submit a compatible, pre-existing DCP to Simple DCP.
Whether you submit a current DCP to Simple DCP or have your DCP created with Simple DCP, your DCP can also be quickly and affordably delivered to other festivals and venues. Every DCP in the Simple DCP archive will be integrated into partner festivals free of charge.

For this year’s BraveMaker Film Festival, Simple DCP will collect, create (if necessary), test, and ship all DCPs to our exhibition venue in an organized and efficient fashion.

See our INSTAGRAM page for recap of our 2022 film fest:
https://www.instagram.com/bravemakerfilmfest/

and watch our 2022 RECAP VIDEO here: https://youtu.be/i_QqNNjlkBI

Awards & Prizes

Each filmmaker selected to screen their film will will receive press and promotion to our 2000 person subscriber email with an online, LIVE STREAM panel discussion in person film fest.

We do invite all selected filmmakers to submit a pitch for the next project and 6-10 of those filmmakers will then have a chance to pitch their project to a panel of Hollywood decision makers to win up to $4000 in grants.

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS
The nonrefundable entry fee must be payable in US dollars to BRAVEMAKER. Entries must be POSTMARKED by the deadline. Submission costs vary depending on category and discounts. When submitting to the festival you are agreeing that, if selected and the invitation accepted, to screen the submitted film during the dates of the festival. Brave Maker Film Fest (BMFF) will *not* pay any screening fees for presentation of the film during the festival. The only exception would be if there is a negotiated agreement preceding the submission of the film.

*OPEN CAPTIONS*
All films MUST be submitted with open captions in order to be inclusive to all audiences. New requirement as of 2023.

TRAVEL/LODGING
BraveMaker film fest is a small, nonprofit organization. We are unable to provide loading or travel for filmmakers.

We offer discounted rooms at the Courtyard Marriott Redwood City for filmmakers and can facilitate shared rooms.

Some food and drink is included in VIP events for all filmmakers.

ENTRY REGULATIONS
This a not a competitive showcase but there will be prizes awarded to every selected filmmaker. The BMFF reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project submitted. Only works completed in 2019 - 2023 are eligible for selection. There is no limit to the number of entries.

FILM/VIDEO ENTRIES
All international language entries must have English subtitles. Projects must be submitted for consideration as an online screener. PAL format will not be accepted. Please do not submit works in progress. Screening material, press and any application materials sent to BMFF will NOT be returned. If you did not receive a confirmation of submission, please email fest@bravemaker.com. All features and documentaries submitted must be available in DCP for festival presentation. There will be smaller venues that will require DVD or Digital file submissions, TBD.

PRESS MATERIALS
If selected, the BMFF will require an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to include high-resolution production stills, key art, bio and filmography of the director, production notes and full cast and crew credits.

SHIPPING
The cost of shipping all entries, DCPs, materials and films to the festival must be paid by the entrant. BMFF will not pay the cost of shipping the print back to the filmmaker and will not be responsible for expedited or overnight shipping charges to other organizations.

REPRODUCTION AGREEMENT
Submission of an entry gives the BMFF permission to have excerpts of accepted work, including film trailers, shown in all promotional activities related to the festival.

NOTIFICATION
Films selected for the BMFF will be notified no later than June 10th, 2023.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Miles Benson

    Online festivals can be hard to mirror the camaraderie, excitement, and networking of an in person screening. But, even though Jerkwater was only selected for the online portion of the festival, we were still honored to be a part of it. Thank you!

    May 2023
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  • Jan Lee

    The people behind BraveMaker Film Fest are incredible! People with a lot of heart and genuinely passionate about the craft of film. We had the opportunity to screen at the festival this year and went away with invaluable friendships with like-minded folks in the Bay Area. The festival exceeded our expectations and we'd love to support it again!

    August 2022
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  • Shruti Tewari

    I had a great time at this festival where I got to showcase my short film, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The panel discussions were informative and their pitch fest to support new projects was a wonderful addition to the already rich programming. The festival planned for many opportunities for filmmakers to network and build teams for future projects. I cannot wait to be a part of this fantastic festival again!

    July 2022
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  • Sassy Mohen

    Bravemaker Film Festival was AMAZING. First off, their selection of films/stories were phenomenal, it's so great to see such a diverse pool of films. The staff was so communicative and really went out of their way to make sure you got the most you could out of the festival experience. I cannot recommend this festival enough

    July 2022
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  • nick mcdow musleh

    Cannot say enough how wonderful BraveMaker is. It was apparent from the beginning how creative they are and how much they care about independent film. They have a whole city supporting them and artists coming from everywhere that will inspire you. They're doing something great.

    July 2022
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