The Sheboygan Film Festival celebrates Midwest, United States, and International filmmakers through a weekend of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, workshops, nightly parties, and community events for all ages! Filmmakers are invited to exhibit their work and network at our variety of events, and have a great time visiting the Malibu of the Midwest!

SFF welcomes diverse voices by showing movies from all over the world, including features, shorts, and documentaries of every genre. Whether you're an industry professional or up-and-coming filmmaker, nightly networking events will be held to foster lifelong connections among filmmakers, audiences, and the City of Sheboygan.

2026's Sheboygan Film Festival takes place October 1-4 in several venues around Sheboygan, WI and kicks off with an Opening Night Screening and Party at the historic Stefanie H. Weill Center.

Awards & Prizes

We offer juried prizes for the top selection in the following categories:

- Best Wisconsin Film
- Best Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Domestic Narrative Short
- Best International Narrative Short
- Best Documentary Film
- Best Animated Film
- Best Horror Film
- Best Children's Film

Rules & Terms

Look carefully at the submission categories before submitting.

Wisconsin Shorts and Features MUST have a Wisconsin connection to be eligible in these categories. This includes being shot on location in Wisconsin, or principal creative personnel (Director, Producer, Writer, Lead Actor, Cinematographer, Editor, etc.) being Wisconsin natives or residents.

The Young Filmmakers category is for features or shorts created by filmmakers 18 and under, although shorts are encouraged in order to show a wider variety of films. Young filmmakers can submit to this category for no fee.

The Children's Film category is for short and feature films appropriate for ages 11 and below. These films will be programmed and screened in partnership with Above & Beyond Children's Museum and Mead Public Library.

- Works in progress may be submitted, but must be completed in time for the festival. Sheboygan Film Festival does not include works-in-progress in its final program.
- Submissions must have been produced since January 2025.
- Submissions received without the proper entry fee will not be considered.
- Entries must be in English or subtitled in English.

Screening copies of selected films must be received at least 4 weeks prior to the festival.

Sheboygan Film Festival does not require premiere status, but programming preference is given to films without significant exposure in Southeastern Wisconsin theatrical and broadcast markets prior to the festival. Preference is also given to films not publicly available on online platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or streaming services.

By submitting, you agree that you have read all of the Sheboygan Film Festival (SFF) rules, and understand and comply with those rules.

Your submission must be your original work with no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission. The submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead, and you fully indemnify SFF against any claim made for such violations of law.

Any failure to adhere to SFF's rules will result in disqualification and no refunds of any kind will be made.

9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The Hansils

    Lovely folks and a lovely festival. Thanks for choosing Bedtime Story, and we can't wait to come back!

    May 2026
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  • Erika Valenciana

    I had such an amazing time at the inaugural Sheboygan Film Festival! The team really went above and beyond to create such a special filmmaker experience. Incredible hospitality, stellar curation, gorgeous screening rooms- all in an adorable town by the water. Really felt the community support. Made a bunch of filmmaker friends and I hope I get in next year so I can go back!!

    October 2025
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  • Jake VanKersen

    This is an INCREDIBLE film festival. It was put together by filmmakers and for filmmakers, and you can tell. The whole weekend was just wildly fun. There was an incredible energy. It was also incredibly well run with crystal clear communication. This festival should be at the top of your submission list.

    October 2025
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  • Michele Noble

    I am so proud our film, The Yellow Sponge is the Dish Sponge was part of their first year! Amazing!! I heard from filmmaker pals who were at the Festival that our screening was incredible! I was heartbroken I couldn’t attend but the communication, promotion, social media was so awesome! And we were told the hospitality and networking were terrific at the Festival too! Great experience even from afar. Highly recommend!

    October 2025
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  • Parker Winship

    What a rich and welcoming festival. Every screening was done with palpable intention and enthusiasm for cinema. At my own screening, I loved the presentation, the company of other filmmakers I was in, and the Q&A with Jon, who clearly really knew my film and had admired it.

    I felt so completely welcome by the staff, the volunteers, and the festival goers. They created an environment where it was so easy to be comfortable and, as a result, I had many meaningful conversations about filmmaking with other filmmakers and festival staff. Bravo.

    October 2025
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