Why Submit to OFF?

For more than 20 years, the Omaha Film Festival has been built around one thing: creating a meaningful experience for filmmakers.

Named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s 2026 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, OFF has grown into a welcoming, filmmaker-focused festival where independent artists can share their work with engaged audiences, connect with fellow creatives, and feel genuinely supported throughout the week.

We believe festivals should be more than screenings. They should create opportunities for conversation, collaboration, and community. That’s why OFF offers:

- Thoughtful post-screening Q&As with audiences
- Networking events that are relaxed, social, and filmmaker-centered
- Educational programming through OFF Academy led by working industry professionals
- Our annual Writers Theatre, where selected screenplay finalists hear their scripts performed live by local actors
- Audience Choice Awards in every film competition category

What makes OFF special is the atmosphere. Filmmakers don’t get lost in the crowd here.

Whether it’s your first short film or your latest feature, we work hard to create an environment where artists feel welcomed, and connected.

A Few Things You Should Know About OFF

We read your cover letters.

We watch every submitted film from beginning to end. Every project receives our full attention and consideration, because we know how much work goes into making a film.
We genuinely want filmmakers to succeed even if your film isn't selected. With almost a thousand submissions and limited screening slots, there are many excellent films we simply don't have room to program. A decline is never a reflection of your worth as a filmmaker.

We maintain strong relationships with fellow film festivals throughout the Midwest. We believe independent film is strongest when festivals support one another and help filmmakers find audiences beyond a single event.

To give selected films the best possible chance to connect with audiences, we schedule screenings during evening hours throughout the work week and throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, when attendance is strongest. We want your film to be seen, discussed, and celebrated by engaged audiences.

Most importantly, we're fans. We love discovering new voices, following filmmakers throughout their careers, and cheering for projects long after they leave Omaha.

One final note: all festival communications, including acceptance notifications, screening information, and declinations, are sent to the email address associated with the FilmFreeway account that submitted the project. If that email changes, please update your FilmFreeway account so you don't miss important information.

Awards & Prizes

OFF winners receive a combination of trophies, cash, filmmaking gear, and software packages provided by our generous sponsors. In 2026, OFF awarded over $20,000 in prizes across multiple categories.

Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Nebraska Short Film - Narrative
Best Nebraska Short Film - Documentary

Best Feature Length Screenplay
Best Teleplay
Best Short Screenplay

Ian Snyder award

Audience Choice Prizes:
Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Short Film

Rules & Terms

Film Submissions
To be considered for the Omaha Film Festival (OFF), all films must adhere to the following guidelines:
Eligibility
-Films must not have had a public screening in Nebraska prior to the festival, with the exception of collegiate screenings or official touring Academy events.
-Films may not be available for public viewing online (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook) in their entirety prior to their OFF screening. Trailers and excerpts are permitted.
-Nebraska Short Films: This category is open to films that were either primarily shot in Nebraska or created by current Nebraska residents. To remain eligible, the film must not have been publicly screened in Nebraska prior to its scheduled Omaha Film Festival screening. Any film that has been publicly screened in Nebraska before the festival will be disqualified, and entry fees will not be refunded. Please include a brief description of your Nebraska connection in your cover letter at the time of submission.

Submission Guidelines
-All films must be submitted as a password-protected or unlisted online screener.
-Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
-Each film entry requires a separate submission, including a completed entry form and payment.
-Short films must have a total runtime of 25 minutes or less, including credits.
-Student Short submissions must include a copy of a current student ID at the time of entry.

Entry Fees
-Entry fees must be paid to "Omaha Film Festival" by check or money order or through the FilmFreeway portal.
-International submissions must be paid in U.S. currency.
-Do not send cash.
-Submissions without both a completed form and entry fee will not be accepted.
-Entry fees are non-refundable, including for films not selected for screening.

If Accepted
-Screening format must be DCP (Digital Cinema Package).
-Filmmakers are responsible for all shipping costs related to exhibition materials. If return shipping is requested, prepaid packaging must be provided.
-Upon acceptance, filmmakers are encouraged to submit a press kit that may include:
Film stills
Posters and postcards
A digital trailer file
Any additional promotional materials
Please note: Materials will not be returned
-The Omaha Film Festival is not responsible for any damage or loss of submitted films or publicity materials.
-Films must have been completed after August 1, 2025.
-Notification of selection will occur by early February 2027.

Legal Requirements
-Filmmakers must secure all necessary rights, including music and talent releases.
-The Omaha Film Festival is not liable for any copyright infringement or unauthorized use of materials.

Screenplay & Teleplay Submissions
The Omaha Film Festival accepts original, unproduced screenplays and teleplays under the following criteria:

Eligibility
-The title page must include contact information.
-Screenplays must be original, unproduced, and not optioned at the time of submission.
-Any screenplay that is optioned, sold, or enters negotiations before March 9, 2027, will be disqualified.
-Writers must notify the festival of any status changes following submission.
-Scripts that reached the semifinalist level or higher in previous years' OFF Screenplay Competitions are not eligible for resubmission.

Categories & Length Requirements
-Short Screenplays: 30 pages or fewer
-Feature Screenplays: 31–130 pages
-Teleplays: Accepted for both original pilot scripts and spec scripts for current television series airing during the submission period

139 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Barry Nordstrand

    Thank you Omaha!! We were so blessed to have our world premiere at the Omaha Film Festival. The entire experience was a 10/10. Will never forget the feeling of watching our film on the big screen for the first time. It was a magical experience, and a packed theater made it even better! Also we loved the way we could socialize with viewers and other filmmakers immediately following each screening in the social area. It created an amazing environment for networking. Thanks for a wonderful experience and the care you provided BONDING in our world premiere.

    May 2026
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  • Nancy Kimmel

    What a distinct honor! I am speechless. Literally. Omaha Film Festival has been around longer than the majority of film festivals. They take each and every script and read it to its fullest. Their judges are literary geniuses. So yeah, I honored, more than words can say. Take a bow Omaha Film Festival ! Bravo!!!
    All the best!
    N. Kimmel
    Kimmel Screen Productions
    kimmelscreenproductions@gmail.com

    April 2026
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  • Octa Geller

    I learned if your film has been selected you still need to get a ticket for the screening. There were a few of us filmmakers who did not have tickets for our short documentary. We were directed to the front of the waiting for tickets line. All filmmakers who films were screened were able to make it in.

    April 2026
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  • John Robert Hammerer

    Great movies, great people, all of it organized by an incredibly supportive team... Had the absolute time of my life! Highly recommend stopping by

    April 2026
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  • Maverick Knox

    First time at the festival and it was SO fun. This year I mainly saw all the shorts (narrative and documentary) and saw 1 feature. It was awesome seeing my own short on the big screen. Here's to many more :D

    April 2026
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