Feel The Reel is an international film festival with live screenings held twice a year in Iasi, Romania’s second-largest city. The screenings are hosted through our sister event, the Short Stop International Film Festival, giving our Best of the Fest & Best Student Film winners the chance to have their films showcased before a live audience in Iasi.

MAIN AWARDS

BEST OF THE FEST – PRIZE MONEY + FREE Trophy + Screening
BEST STUDENT FILM - FREE Trophy + Screening
2nd BEST OF THE FEST - Award Certificate
3rd BEST OF THE FEST - Award Certificate

CATEGORY AWARDS
Best Animation
Best Experimental
Best Documentary
Best Music Video
Best Web Short
Audience Award

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay (written) - FREE Trophy
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score

Each competition year features two seasonal screenings, showcasing all our Best of the Fest and Best Student Film winners. The aforementioned films will be screened at a live venue in Iasi. Submissions are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway.

Only short films with a duration of up to 40 minutes are accepted. All films must have been made in or after 2023 and have English subtitles (except for music videos and unless English is the main language spoken). Any genre and format is accepted (from 1 minute films to long, narrative/artistic films).

In case we do not receive enough entries for a category (at least 3 entries must be received in order for that category to be eligible) we will move those entries into a corresponding category.

The filmmaker/institution that is submitting the film must own the rights to do so and is responsible for the content they are providing.

By entering your film for consideration for FTRIFF, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival exhibition and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein. FTRIFF is also hereby granted the right to utilize the e-mails through which the entries were submitted as well as excerpts from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless FTRIFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. FTRIFF DOES NOT PAY SCREENING FEES. By submitting your film via FilmFreeway you acknowledge that the festival will not pay to present your work nor will it provide feedbacks or reviews in the event of your film not having been accepted.

By submitting, you agree to all of these rules, terms and conditions. You acknowledge that no submission fee refunds are given once this application has been submitted. You also acknowledge that you will not receive any compensation for the use of your film by FTRIFF in accordance with the rules, terms and conditions.

You understand and acknowledge that, if you are under 18 years of age, your parent or guardian must agree to the terms of this Filmmaker Release on your behalf. As a Parent or Guardian of a minor filmmaker, if applicable, you understand and acknowledge that you are agreeing to the terms of this Filmmaker/Guardian/Representative Release on behalf of your child or a child for whom you are a legally designated Guardian.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • It's been a pleasure competing in the festival alongside highly acclaimed projects and I feel humble for the Best Documentary Nominee that was awarded to me. I definitely recommend the experience with this festival!

    December 2025
  • Ava Della Pietra

    Thank you to everyone at Feel The Reel for considering my music videos for your festival. I'm honored to have been considered and thrilled to have won a Best Music Video award for "Marionette" and "Single For Life".

    December 2025
  • I was so delighted and honored to receive the wonderful trophy from “Feel the Reel International Film Festival for my new screenplay THE POPPET about the creepy doll that becomes alive, that I decided to make an "unboxing" video to celebrate. Thanks Again!!!
    https://www.instagram.com/p/DMv6dWqy1Ja/?hl=en

    July 2025
  • Well-organized Festival. Highly recommended for all filmmakers. Thank you for awarding my film Girls, Angels, Melodies.

    July 2025
  • A huge thank you to Feel The Reel for selecting my short film! It’s an honor to be part of a festival that truly supports independent filmmakers and shines a light on unique voices.

    July 2025