DC Independent Film Festival / DCIFF

Submissions open from September 09 to December 09, 2025

We welcome submissions in the following categories:
◾ Narrative features
◾ Short films
◾ Documentaries (feature and shorts)
◾ Animation + Experimental (up to 2 hours)
◾ Web Series Pilots or Episodes
◾ Works in Progress
◾ High School Student Film Showcase and Competition (films up to 20 mins.) – Free Submission until the later period. The Y-CAM at DCIFF High school Film Festival HAS A SEPARATE FilmFreeway application portal. Please submit there, not here.

We are open to films of any genre except adult films (though' R-rated" is fine) and in any language (with subtitles). We do not have a section dedicated to family films, but love films that appeal to the child in us all. We have an excellent full day committed to animation and encourage animators working across all styles to submit their work.

Stipulations: We put a great deal of effort, time and attention into promoting the films selected for screening and competition and, in this way, have aided many a filmmaker on the road to success, awards, distribution, and networking, but we can only do so if the following rules are followed:

Metro DC Theater Film Premieres are required (we may accept films that have had private screenings in DC, ask us please). East Coast and US Premieres preferred. We understand that filmmakers from our Metro DC region find it hard to not show their films to their communities and it often happens that we must turn a great film down because this was done, advertised and promoted. We suggest you contact us to discuss the if you are in this situation. We achieve excellent press outreach and this is only possible if we can assure a DC premiere.

No restrictions for films screened online at other festivals, but free screenings of films left online we will not be accepted. You can still submit, but we will require the film to be removed from being online for the month up to and including our forum.

All films to be completed within 12 months of the date of submission: FILMS MUST HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AFTER September 9, 2024. if your film is still in process we will accept submission but DCIFF will remove a film from final selection if it is not completed by the end of December 2025.

DCIFF Alumni - To qualify for submission in an alumni category, we must have screened one of your films in a previous festival. With your submission, please include the title of your screened film and the year it was shown.

Films in Distribution: If you are a distributor or your film is ruled by a distribution contract, please make sure that you can screen this without a screening fee. DCIFF does not pay screening fees but we do everything we can to bring filmmakers and talent to attend the festival.

High School Students - Please go to the Y-CAM Film Festival page here at FilmFreeway. For age 18 & under only! We accept high school entries *only* if you are a current high school student or graduated high school in the summer of 2025. Please include your current high school ID and your high school name and address, or a letter from a school advisor with your submission.

By submitting your film to DCIFF you are agreeing to the following conditions:

- I am authorized to submit this film to the Washington, DC Independent Film Festival for consideration and have read, understood and agreed to all entry requirements.
- By submitting my film for consideration, I grant permission to DCIFF to use any 3 minute portion of my film and related materials for promotion in all media, including DCIFF catalogues, flyers, posters and the DCIFF website.
- I understand that no film accepted for screening in competition at DCIFF may be withdrawn without the express written permission of DCIFF after January 10th, 2026. In the event that a screening print is not delivered or in the case of technical issues, DCIFF reserves the right to screen publicly the DVD or digital backup submission file unless other arrangements have been made with you, the filmmaker.
- I promise to contact DCIFF immediately regarding any changes to the information above, including distribution, Premiere status of my film or exhibition format. Failure to provide complete and updated information or failure to submit an exhibition copy of my film by January 20th, 2026 may cause the elimination of my film from competition.
- All rights and permissions are in place for my submission (it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to obtain any and all necessary rights and permissions).
- I am DULY authorized to submit this film to the Washington, DC Independent Film Festival and its competition (“DCIFF”) and I have read, understood and agreed to all entry requirements.
- If DC Premiere status changes without DCIFF being informed, I understand that DCIFF reserves the right to remove my film from the program.
- By submitting to the festival, I am showing interest in taking part in DCIFF 2026 should our film be selected. I intend to attend the festival.
- All of the above information and statements are accurate.