The El Paso Media Fest is dedicated to enriching the El Paso community, through the international exposure of culture & film.

With film screenings, networking events, celebrity guests, educational panels, local food & more, this festival will showcase El Paso's best to the world.

Each day of the festival will be fun-filled and educational; participating filmmakers and community members are given the opportunity to network with local talent and filmmaking pros, learn from industry members, and to develop themselves further in the world of film. The spice of El Paso culture will be something you'll never forget!

El Paso Media Fest - Official Awards

Best Feature Film
Best International Short Film
Best U.S. Short Film
Best El Paso-Made Short Film
Best Texas-Made Short Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Music Video
Best New Media
Best Student Short Film
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Sound
Best Screenplay
Best Actor
Best Actress

The following are the rules and instructions that must be followed with all film submissions to the El Paso Media Fest (“EPMF”). Only films that are submitted through this platform will be considered for competition.

ELIGIBILITY
Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY. All films must have English subtitles, if language is foreign at the time submitted.

Films must be submitted as an online streaming video through a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway), with a password-protected streaming URL. DVDs & Blu-Rays will NOT be accepted as a form of submission.

EPMF will screen films as digital files for short/feature films during the Festival event. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your short film as a digital file, or your feature film as a digital file or Blu-Ray disc for exhibition, contact us to proceed differently if possible.

Films must be available for screening during the El Paso Media Fest on October 4th thru 6th, 2024.

If your short film or feature film has already screened as a World Premiere, North American, US Premiere, Texas Premiere, Hometown Premiere, Cast & Crew Premiere - you are still allowed to submit to our festival. However, films that are available online or have screened online are not eligible to be submitted. We want your films to exclusively be showcased at our festival event, for our community to enjoy the work produced by filmmakers all over the world.

EPMF reserves the right to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund. Judge reviews will be available by email request.

ORIGINALITY & PERMISSIONS
Films must be the original work of the applicants. At any moment, if the work is stolen or borrowed without permission, your film will be immediately disqualified from the festival.

By submitting to our festival, you "the filmmaker" acknowledge that you have secured all necessary rights. EPMF will not be responsible for any accusations from third party "filmmakers".

Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. EPMF disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Works in progress will not be accepted. Your film should be in complete form with all aspects of filmmaking. We strongly advise filmmakers to submit their film once it has reached the strength to compete in the festival circuit. The film will be judged as a completed piece through every aspect of filmmaking: from the sound to the cinematography to the quality of story and acting. "Story is sacred" and EPMF embraces the powerful essence that story-telling brings to the world.

Once an entry payment has been received, we cannot provide a refund at any time. If a payment is disputed by a submitter for any reason, the submitter may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by EPMF in connection with the dispute.

Online Debit/Credit Payment is the only method we accept for submission fees.

Please include in your cover letter if your film was filmed in El Paso, or if you are an El Paso Filmmaker. If so, you are qualified for our exclusive "El Paso Made" categories where you as an El Paso Filmmaker will solely compete against films made in El Paso.

SELECTED FILMS AND WINNERS

Official Selections will be announced on August 20th, 2024.

Award winners will be announced on October 6th, 2024 at the fifth annual EPMF.

RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Press materials will not be returned under any circumstances.
COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

COMPETITION CERTIFICATION
I have read understand, and have complied with all of the rules. This warrants the submission of my/our original work. There are no disputes regarding the ownership of the project submission.

I also acknowledge that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead. To the best of my/our knowledge, all the statements herein are true and accurate.

I understand that any failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of my entry fee. I acknowledge that once an entry payment has been processed, EPMF will not provide a refund.

No revisions of materials will be accepted once entry has been submitted.

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ryan Rox

    I attended all three days of the El Paso Media Fest, and had such a blast every minute I was there. The 360 cam made it feel modern and current, while the beautifully lit step and repeat made me feel like red carpet royalty! I attended the panel that kicked it all off - “Our Stories: El Paso Film,” with Drew Mayer-Oakes and Angie Reza Tures. It was so great to hear from CreativElPaso and Femme Frontera about how much El Paso means to them and all that they do to uplift us as local filmmakers. On night one, my film played alongside other hometown heroes for the “Stories from our Borderland” shorts block. It felt so nice to be able to come together as a film community and share our stories as El Paso filmmakers with unique lenses. The after party was also a great way to network and hang out with old and new friends, while attempting to out smart each other in movie trivia! The second day, I attended the premiere of Silent Sounds, which was sold out! One the third day, I was excited to see Greg Sestero screening his film, “The Christmas Tapes,” in person. After the screening was the award ceremony. I’m so used to film festivals where the awards are only for features, so I never expected to even be nominated. When I saw my name and my short film show up on the screen, I was genuinely shocked. When they called my name and my film, I was floored. I am so thankful for the festival recognizing us as Best El Paso Film. The accolade literally made me tear up and I was speechless. As a queer person, it was even more meaningful to feel not only safe, but celebrated. It was the perfect way to end the perfect film festival weekend experience. Robbie, Gabe, Chris and his crew ran everything so flawlessly, and I felt like a true VIP. I will absolutely be back next year, whether I have a film selected or not.

    March 2023
  • Jr. Marriott

    Great experience. Loved the panel afterwards.

    February 2023
  • Marie J. Magdaleno

    Incredible film festival! Chris and the entire team do a great job at bringing creatives from all over the world to enjoy a fun weekend of film. Great lineup of films and great networking opportunity! Can’t wait for the next one!

    February 2023
  • Keith Jardine

    I had a great experience at EPMI. Great people and a great time. Well worth the trip.

    February 2023
  • Rob Tode

    Great festival! Despite my short visit, everyone running the festival were very gracious and kind to me. I wish I could've stayed for the entire weekend--Nextvrime for sure! From the entire cast and crew of Sawyer (2021): Thank you to Chris, Daniel, and your whole team!

    February 2023