The Magnolia Independent Film Festival, the 1st film festival in the state of Mississippi, is a filmmaker-friendly festival encouraging both amateur and professional filmmakers.

The Magnolia Independent Film Festival, or "The Mag", was founded by Ron Tibbett in 1997 in West Point, Mississippi and later moved to Starkville, MS. It was the first film festival to take place in Mississippi paving the way for the independent film community and other festivals within the state. It is a festival that is focused on creating a memorable experience for both filmmakers and audiences.

Now in its 26th year, The Mag continues to bring inspiring independent cinema from around the world to small-town Mississippi. In keeping with The Mag's rich tradition of southern hospitality, attending filmmakers are treated as family and given a very personal experience to network with fellow filmmakers and screening their films to an eager and engaged audience.

Hotel Accommodations! The late Ron Tibbett's priority was not only to bring captivating films to Mississippi but to take care of the filmmakers while they were here. Hotel accommodations are covered for short and feature filmmakers who attend from out of town in keeping with that tradition. Additionally, select meals are covered during your stay as part of parties and other events held in honor of the attending filmmakers. We provide a memorable VIP experience to our attending filmmakers so that you make the most out of your experience at The Mag. This includes our annual luncheon and retreat on the Friday of our festival provided to our filmmakers and special guests.

Technical Presentation! As a film festival, we love to create an experience that is enjoyable and memorable for our filmmakers and audiences. That means the technical presentation of your film is a priority. With experienced filmmakers managing the tech side of the festival, we know how important it is that your film looks and sounds great. We take this seriously and make it a top priority.

Promotion and Marketing! We not only like to take care of our filmmakers, but we like to promote them and their films. Each year, we provide PR opportunities for filmmakers whether they are able to attend or not. These include regional radio, tv, and print outlets, online reviews and interviews, podcast interviews, and red carpet photos and interviews.

Awards & Prizes

Winners receive a beautiful stained glass magnolia award in the following categories:

Best Feature
Best Director
Best Short (Narrative)
Best Short (Documentary)
Best Cinematography
Best Home Grown (Mississippi-made film)
Best Animation
Best Student Film
Kids' Choice Award (Family-Friendly Block)
Audience Choice
Elena Zastawnik Award for Best Written Film
Ron Tibbett Award for Excellence in Film

Short and feature-length films are judged during the festival with the live audience, and awards are presented at an award ceremony hosted after the Saturday night feature film.

Rules & Terms

Please read the following before submitting. Failure to abide by our rules and regulations may result in disqualification.

-Submissions are only accepted via FilmFreeway during our open submission period. DVDs, emailed screeners, etc will not be accepted.

-Films must have been completed after January 1, 2020.

-Submitted feature-length films should not be widely distributed before the 2024 date of our festival. This includes SVOD, TVOD, theatrical, TV, or free Internet streaming. Non-US distribution and a previous festival or local screenings are acceptable.

-Short films currently streaming on YouTube or other free or paid platforms are eligible for entry, however, we prefer that they are not. Feature films available online are not eligible for exhibition.

-Shorts must be under 30 minutes. Features must be under 110 minutes.

-Music Videos are screened prior to the short film block and awarded during the awards ceremony on closing night. Music Videos available online prior to the festival are eligible to screen. Accepted music video filmmakers receive do receive VIP access to the festival but do not receive hotel accommodations.

-To submit via the discounted Mississippi and Minority short film categories, the filmmaker should specify in the submission cover letter why their film qualifies. If you submit in this category and your film does not fit the criteria, your film may be disqualified.

-All films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentation.

-All submission fees are non-refundable, even if we do not select your film.

-Films previously submitted and rejected are not eligible.

-Submission fees do not guarantee acceptance and no refund will be provided if your film is not selected.

-In submitting a completed film, the filmmaker represents that they are authorized to submit this film for screening at the 2024 Magnolia Independent Film Festival. They grant The Magnolia Independent Film Festival the nonexclusive right to use submitted materials in connection with any and all publicity and promotional materials regarding the festival. They warrant that the submitted film does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any person or entity and agree to hold harmless and fully indemnify and defend The Magnolia Independent Film Festival and its representatives against any and all claims made for such infringement or any other violations of law.
35 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Festival Formula

    A lovely inviting audience who always puts on a good programme for their audience. In 2024 we had On The Line screen.

    March 2024
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  • Sunflower County Film Academy

    Everyone and everything was wonderful. They made allowances for our students at the Sunflower County Film Academy and they were really grateful for the opportunity. The Mag is The Best!

    March 2024
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  • Jeremy Burgess

    Always enjoyed attending this festival in the past, but it was a thrill to bring a feature film to Starkville and experience it with an engaged audience. And the parties are great as always. Highly recommended!

    March 2024
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  • Talamieka Brice

    Hands down, one of THE BEST festivals I’ve ever attended! Great & informative events, quality films and networking.

    March 2024
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  • Vito Pistone

    Could not be there, but the support online was great! I even got to see a recording of the start of my film playing. They genuinely care!

    March 2024
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