PopCon International Film Festival

Other Festivals You May Like

Sponsored

Santa Fe International Film Festival
View Listing
Sponsored

Newport Beach Film Festival
View Listing
Sponsored

NEW YORK INDIE SHORTS AWARDS
View Listing
Sponsored

HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST
View Listing
Sponsored

VENEZIA SHORTS ITALY
View Listing

This is the 6th annual PopCon International Film Festival (PIFF) competition for PopCon, but we are in our 12th year as a physical convention. The film festival begins Friday, June 27, 2025 and concludes Sunday, June 29, 2025 and will feature films, post screening Q&A's, celebrity panels, filmmaker panels and more.

PopCon prides itself as being Indy's "only" locally owned and operated large pop culture fan event. PopCon will be programming a full-lineup film festival. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their short/feature film and short/feature screenplays in multiple genres. The film festival will be honoring films of several pop culture genres, including but NOT limited to: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy, Anime/Animation, Horror, Action/Adventure, Fan Film, Supernatural/Thriller, Documentary, Internet Culture & Gaming/Sports.

PopCon continues to bring some of the largest names in pop culture to Indianapolis each year, but the event’s true mission is to give creators – of all kinds – a platform to find new audiences. Instead of focusing on one specific fandom, PopCon flips the script on the typical con experience by focusing on all genres of pop culture fandom. The film festival is an obvious expansion of that mission.

The film festival will be in addition to all the other programming at PopCon over the event’s weekend. The 10th Annual PopCon Podcast Awards, the 12th Annual Ultimate Cosplay Championships, and dozens of fan panels and workshops will be alongside video gaming, laser tag, escape rooms, state-of-the-art virtual reality offerings, and 24-hour board gaming. PopCon will also continue to have the best selection of vendors for fans to enjoy.

Each Official Selection will receive the following:
One (1) Three-day Pass (in-person event admission) to Indy PopCon (full convention & film festival). Additional passes are easily purchased.

Award trophies will be given for the following*:
-Best Indiana Film
-Best Feature
-Best Short
-Best International Film
-Best Comedy
-Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
-Best Action/Adventure
-Best Thriller
-Best Horror
-Best Fan Film
-Best Animated Film
-Best Drama
-Best Documentary
-Best Music Video
-Best Student Film
-Best Director
-Best Actress
-Best Actor
* Please note that trophies can only be received at the in-person awards ceremony. These winners will also receive a certificate.

Award Certificates will be given for the following categories*:
-Best Sound Design
-Best 1st Time Filmmaker
-Best Story
-Best Costuming
-Best Production Design
-Best Cinematography
-Best Special Effects (SFX)
-Best Original Score
-Best Editing
-Best Ensemble Cast
-Best Villain
-Best Hero
* Please note that certificates can only be received at the in-person awards ceremony, but will be sent out digitally for self-printing.

All films accepted into the festival are in the running for all awards that apply to them! (For example: A film with one actor is not eligible for Best Ensemble Cast)

***PLEASE READ ALL RULES & TERMS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR FILM***

PopCon International Film Festival is excited to consider your short film of 40 minutes or less or your feature film over 40 minutes in length within the categories of, but not limited to; Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Comedy, Horror, Animation, Fan Films, and more!

Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway. Please submit a digital copy of your film. Please upload trailers and posters as well.

We accept films produced after May 2022.

In the interest of fair competition to all that submit their films/scripts, PopCon does NOT offer free submission waivers.

Please submit the version you want judged. We do not allow alternate versions to be submitted without being subject to another entrance fee.

By submitting your film to the PopCon International Film Festival you acknowledge and authorize the use of materials for promotional use which includes but is not limited to excerpts and images. You also agree to hold the PopCon International Film Festival harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, expenses and damages as a result of entry.

Premieres will be considered in final programming decisions.

All films not in English must have English subtitles.

Films can be nominated for multiple awards. PopCon reserves the right to eliminate a category if there are not enough viable nominations.

PopCon reserves the rights to disqualify any submission without refund and PopCon does not allow any refunds once a film has been submitted.

Films that have been acquired, produced, financed or distributed by any major motion picture studio(s) or production company(s), at the time of screening, will not be accepted into the festival.

By submitting, artists agree to all terms set forth in the rules.

Entering your film is considered giving the PopCon International Film Festival permission to screen your film during the course of the event.

PopCon International Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition prior, during, or after PopCon for promotional purposes.

The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless PopCon and PopCon International Film Festival 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.

SUBMISSION SUGGESTIONS:
Please include the following items when submitting your film:
1) Poster
2) Stills from the Film/Set pictures
3) Trailer- not required but highly recommended even for shorts (limit trailers to 90s)
4) Complete the Filmmaker Biography section in FilmFreeway

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Matt Vita

We had an absolute blast at PopCon this year! Super cool convention with some really great films and tons of fun things to do! Our project won Best Feature Film and Best Villain in what was a packed out awards ceremony on Sunday!

May 2024

Helpful
Neri Ricci Lotteringi

Great festival unfortunately couldn’t fly to Indianapolis

May 2024

Helpful
Dimitry Kulak

Many Thanks for Nicholas and the Festival Team
Great organizing and communication!

May 2024

Helpful
Richard Wareham

Many thanks to Nick and the team. In a challenging industry its great that there are people out there with an eye for what is out there.
Well chuffed that our video clip Silverfish Blues could be part of this festival.

May 2024

Helpful
Wally Veazie

Nick did a fantastic job organizing this event. Great energy and a fun time. Highly recommend submitting your short or feature. I was honored to accept the Best Actress award on behalf of my lead actor.

May 2024

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

July 1, 2024
Opening Date
December 21, 2024
Earlybird Deadline
January 18, 2025
Regular Deadline
February 8, 2025
Late Deadline
March 1, 2025
Extended Deadline
March 31, 2025
Notification Date
June 27 – 29, 2025
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Indiana Short
Filmmaker must be Indiana based- any category(genre) short film up to 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submitting. Must be an Indiana resident and/or attend an Indiana college/university. Films may also be nominated for other award categories.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
Indiana Feature
Filmmaker must be Indiana based- any category feature film 40 minutes in length or more. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions. Must be an Indiana resident and/or attend an Indiana college/university. Films may also be nominated for other categories.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
Action/Adventure Short
Action/Adventure inspired short 40 minutes in length or less. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Action/Adventure Feature
Action/Adventure inspired feature 40 minutes in length or more. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Animation Short
Any animation inspired short (including puppets) up to 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Animation Feature
Any animation inspired short (including puppets) over 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Comedy Short
Any comedy inspired short under 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Comedy Feature
Any comedy inspired feature over 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Documentary Short
Any genre or pop culture documentary up tp 40 in length or less. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Documentary Feature
Any genre or pop culture documentary feature 40 minutes in length or longer. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Drama Short
Any drama inspired short under 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Drama Feature
Any drama inspired feature over 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Fan Film Short
Fandom inspired short up to 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Fan Film Feature
Fandom inspired feature film 40 minutes in length or longer. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Music Video
Any music video- no length minimum or maximum. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $7
- Student: $5
- Gold Members: $5
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $11
- Student: $8
- Gold Members: $8
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $15
- Student: $12
- Gold Members: $12
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $19
- Student: $16
- Gold Members: $16
Horror Short
Horror inspired short up to 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Horror Feature
Horror inspired feature 40 minutes in length or more. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Short
Sci-Fi/Fantasy inspired short up to 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Feature
Sci-Fi/Fantasy inspired feature over 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submission.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49
Thriller Short
Any thriller/suspense inspired short up to 40 minutes in length. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $20
- Student: $15
- Gold Members: $15
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $27
- Student: $22
- Gold Members: $23
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $32
- Student: $27
- Gold Members: $28
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $38
- Student: $33
- Gold Members: $34
Thriller Feature
Thriller/suspense inspired feature 40 minutes in length or longer. When in doubt, feel free to email filmfest@popcon.us with any questions prior to submissions.
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $35
- Student: $29
- Gold Members: $30
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $42
- Student: $36
- Gold Members: $37
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $47
- Student: $41
- Gold Members: $42
- Extended Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $48
- Gold Members: $49

Other Festivals You May Like

Sponsored

Santa Fe International Film Festival
View Listing
Sponsored

Newport Beach Film Festival
View Listing
Sponsored

NEW YORK INDIE SHORTS AWARDS
View Listing
Sponsored

HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST
View Listing
Sponsored

VENEZIA SHORTS ITALY
View Listing

Other Festivals You May Like

Sponsored

Santa Fe International Film Festival
View Listing
Sponsored

Newport Beach Film Festival
View Listing
Sponsored

NEW YORK INDIE SHORTS AWARDS
View Listing
Sponsored

HOLLYWOOD SHORTSFEST
View Listing
Sponsored

VENEZIA SHORTS ITALY
View Listing

Matt Vita

Neri Ricci Lotteringi

Dimitry Kulak

Richard Wareham

Wally Veazie