IMAGINATION IGNITED

Our mission is to champion filmmakers in every stage of the filmmaking process. From novice to professional, we provide the opportunity for story-tellers to showcase their talent, refine their craft, and entertain others through the lens of film.

In its 6th year, the Firereel Film Festival draws a crowd of 1200+ annually, and is the largest Film Festival in Northern California. We invite the filmmakers and movie-goers to arrive in style and walk the Red Carpet. Our evening Oscar-esqe Award's Show is an all out celebration of cinema. It combines the best films from the festival with live comedy and crazy costume changes and is sure to entertain. All of this is followed by an after party in beautiful Downtown Redding.

We welcome submissions (all shorts - 35 minutes or less, unless otherwise specified) from anywhere in the world and have some new categories this year including our Wonder Woman Short film category, helping to bring exposure to women in film! We are excited to see what this year’s participants have in store for 2018!

$2500 Total Festival Prize Awards
Best of Festival
Best Junior Filmmaker (17 yrs. & younger)
Best Student Short (18+)
Best Documentary
Best Short Short
Best Woman Short
Best Animated Short
Best Family Short
Best Local Short
Best International Short

Additional Categories:
Best Actor (Male)
Best Actor (Female)
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Score

Screenplay Award Categories:
Best Short Screenplay
Best TV/Web Series Teleplay
Best Feature Screenplay

Films and Scripts must be submitted via Filmfreeway.com, by the specified deadline(s).

Submissions will be screened by a qualified panel of judges. If your film is chosen for an award, we will contact you.

More than one film or script may be submitted in any category. Each film or script must be entered with a separate submission form and entry fee. If you submit a film for one particular category and we feel it fits better in another, we reserve the right to apply your film to the new category and we will inform you upon review prior to acceptance. For questions or help selecting the best category, contact our festival manager.

All film and screenplay genres will be accepted for review, with the exclusion of films containing pornographic & X-rated content.

Participation in the festival, including the submission of films or scripts via Filmfreeway.com, implies acceptance of all festival rules and regulations.

In order for your film to be considered for the final prize of Best of Festival, you must submit your film in at least one other film category.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • ML Martin

    THIS festival is definitely growing in the right direction. I believe that the festival's passion for filmmaking/filmmakers is wonderful. I was very honored to screen 2 projects. A short film 'Nobody's Perfect' about family and forgiveness, and a Martial Arts doc 'Game Changer'... I hope to return with more films or as an attendee, and watch Firereel Film Festival continue to excel. Thank you!

    October 2016
  • Wasn't able to attend, but the festival directors were very kind, involved on social media, and kept everyone updated.

    September 2016
  • Working with Matthew & Joy (Firereel Coordinators) was so wonderful. They were very attentive to me and really promoted me as a local film maker in the Redding, CA area. They provided many opportunities to highlight my work and also provided other connecting points like an interview after the festival as well as being able to talk about my films in front of the audience. Not to mention they throw a pretty good after party. Thanks to Firereel for letting me be a part of the festival!

    September 2016
  • Eric McCoy

    This was a warm experience, with a very unique platform for showing the films. The staff clearly care about the program (and routinely dress up as characters from their favorite movies.) Can't wait to see where things go for Firereel!

    May 2016