Dakota Film Festival (DFF) is dedicated to supporting the work of emerging and talented filmmakers and video artists by promoting local video/film production and by expanding awareness of professional careers within the industry.

Terms of Eligibility:
• Must have a Total Run Time no longer than 30 min.
• Any genre is accepted; however, content must be non-commercial.
• Must have been completed within the past two years of submission date.
• Must NOT have screened in the Bismarck area prior to our festival.
• Non-English films must have English sub-titles.

Entrants are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and releases for public screening of their work. Each entrant warrants to DFF that his or her entry:
• Is completely an original work of the entrant(s) or other filmmaker(s) represented by the entrant.
• Is not in violation/conflict of the trademark, copyright, or any other rights of any person or entity.

The official screening panel, at its sole discretion, will make a number of "Official Selections" from eligible entries received.

Each entrant shall retain the copyright in and to his or her respective entry. However, by entering, each entrant acknowledges and agrees that DFF shall have the right to use entrant’s names, photographs, likenesses, voice, and/or biographical information for DFF programming, publication, publicity, advertising and all other promotional purposes without compensation, review, or approval.

An entry fee must accompany each entry and submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway. By submitting an entry, or entries, you agree to these Submission Guidelines and acknowledge that the decisions of the DFF officials will be binding and final.

DFF is administered by Dakota Media Access (DMA) and is managed by a volunteer committee.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Max Hofer

    Thank you for screening 'Kitman' at your 2023 festival!

    June 2023
  • We were thrilled to have our film selected by the Dakota Film Festival! Mary and her team were fabulous in putting together an awesome program and experience for the filmmakers and audience. The Q&A on stage with filmmakers was well thought out and a very enjoyable part of the program. The Belle Mehus auditorium is a beautiful and historic venue with great acoustics. We highly recommend this film festival and look forward to returning.

    June 2022
  • Lewie Kloster

    We loved this FEST. My brother and I screened our short here- first off… the theater is unreal. It was built in 1914!!! Like compared to slap dash, convention center screens, this venue takes the cake. Then they have an awesome Q&A style where we watch 3 shorts- then a Q&A, then more shorts and so on. And the absolute best part of this festival is that the theater is filled with locals! Everybody in the town knows of the fest- and is only two nights! Which makes it simple and easy to see every movie.
    Definitely submitting everything we make to this lovely festival!

    April 2022
  • This is a one of a kind festival! Strong screening blocks all around. The screenings were held in the beautiful and historic Belle Mehus auditorium, which was incredible! After party was lovely, and the ND film folks were welcoming to we out-of-staters. We are honored to have been selected, and been able to participate in 2022.

    April 2022
  • Matt Fern

    A great film festival and great opportunity to connect with other filmmakers. You don't ever want to miss the Dakota Film Festival!

    April 2019