FilmGate Festival is the longest-running monthly short film series in Florida, created to celebrate local culture, diversity and regional creativity. Every month, FilmGate Miami highlights Florida's community of actors, filmmakers, and video + audio production studios. We accept short films, documentaries, music videos and web series from Florida or made by a Florida citizen, 20 minutes or less.

This Festival will be takes place at the Silverspot Cinema in Downtown Miami located at 300 SE 3rd St #100, Miami, FL 33131.

THE RULES:
- For Florida Filmmakers only or Florida-based short films (at least for now)
- 20 minutes or less
- Free submissions/waivers for Filmgate Miami members and students, email info@film-gate.org for a waver
- Florida producer or Director needs to be present at the screening of their film and for the Q&A

The screening takes place on the last Wednesday of each month (unless noted otherwise).

OFFICIAL FESTIVAL DATES:
FilmGate Free-For-All Festival - January 31
FilmGate Social Justice Festival - February 28
FilmGate Femme Directors Festival - March 27
FilmGate Comedy Festival - April 24
FilmGate Documentary Festival - May 29
FilmGate Free-For-All Festival - June 26
FilmGate Films With Subtitles Festival - July 31
FilmGate Free-For-All Festival - August 28
FilmGate Music Videos Festival - September 25
FilmGate Horror Festival - October 30
FilmGate Best-of-Fest - November 20 (TUESDAY)

FILM COMMUNITY NETWORKER B4 AND AFTER

Enjoy meeting other creatives and film geeks during our film community networker before the screening. Grab some drinks, some grub, and start mingling!

We will also have networking at the end of the event so feel free to gush about the cool films afterwards too.

PERCOLATOR
Starting off the night, we have our Percolator. Sign up and tell the audience your skills or if you are looking for a professional in particular! You will have 1 minute to pitch. You can meet Florida's film scene face-to-face and pitch your film ideas to the broad community of talent!

FILMMAKER Q & A
After the screening, as our jury judges discuss the night's award-winning film, we will invite our featured filmmakers for a Q&A session about their creative process and inspirations in creating their films.

AWARDS CEREMONY
At the end of the screening, we will present the jury's choice in the best film of the night! Our jury is a team of industry professionals that use their expertise to judge the techincal and artistic qualities of each film screened.

Submit your short film, documentary, music video or web series today and see your work on the biggest screen in Miami.

Now accepting:
February - "Social Justice"
March - "Female Directors"
April - "Comedy"
May - "Documentaries"
June - "Free-for-all"
July - "Films with Subtitles"
August - "Free-for-all"
September - "Music Videos"
October - "Horror"

Please note that we select our films as they arrive, to allow us more time to promote this festival. Submit your films as early as possible to improve your chances of being selected. If your film has not been accepted for the month you submitted for, it stands the chance to be programmed for another month.

If you have any trouble with entering your film or using a waiver code, please contact us at michi@film-gate.org or info@film-gate.org

Monthly Awards include Best Film Award (which is a 1 year FilmGate membership) and Best Audience Award!

Occasionally, jurors bring awards as well (i.e. equipment rental or sound stage rental)

We also have our FilmGate Staff Awards which include:
-Best Actor
-Best Screenplay
-Best Sound Edit
-Best Edit
-Best Photography
-Best Director

Best Film Winner will automatically go into November's Best of Competition!!!
Grand winner will be taking the Crystal Kraken Award!

- Films must be less than 20 minutes
- Films may only be submitted by directors living in Florida or based in Florida
- Filmmakers MUST attend the event in person, or send an above-the-line representative who can participate in a Q&A
- Filmmakers must submit their social media handles and tag @filmgatemiami
- Filmmakers get FREE ENTRY - family & friends are able to get a DISCOUNT CODE (code limit 3)
- Stay to network. Local film studios and local investors make it monthly to our events to meet emerging talent.

***FOR FILMS WITH AI CATEGORY RULES***
- Films must be less than 10 minutes
- Films may only be submitted by filmmakers living in Florida or based in Florida
- Films must state the AI tech used in credits and in submission form
- State the likeness of actors and include signed permission/consent by actors
- Filmmakers MUST attend the event in person, or send a representative who can participate in a Q&A
- Filmmakers must submit their social media handles and tag @filmgatemiami
- Filmmakers get FREE ENTRY - family & friends are able to get a DISCOUNT CODE (code limit 3)

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Great event! I love the sense of community! Can't wait to revisit!

    March 2024
  • Vance Osteen

    Overall, a hospitable and accommodating festival!

    February 2024
  • Andres Irias

    Simply fantastic. Not only are the films selected interesting, different and good… the overall experience of the event/festival when networking is warm and fun. The FilmGate team always goes above and beyond with their hospitality and support for the independent community, but especially the Latino/Miami filmmaking community. FilmGate goes above and beyond, more so than what many other festivals do.

    February 2024
  • They are So welcoming and kind!

    November 2023
  • Michael Olowu

    Amazing Event, U will love it

    November 2023