We are a LIVE, IN-PERSON EVENT in a gorgeous theatre. Nestled in a 106-year-old classic cinema house in Arlington (Boston), MA, The Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival showcases “Stories Aching To Be Told." So, if you have one, we want it.
We love all genres: Comedy, Drama, Thrillers, Sci-Fi, and Psychological Horrors, as well as documentaries, shorts, music, music videos, songs, and compositions. If you have something to say, we want to hear, see, and experience it! And yes, we are proud to be an International festival, so worldwide submissions are welcome.
Furthermore, we support your career far beyond our festival dates, so we'll be in your corner throughout your career. It's cinematic magic!
Our prizes include showcases for Worldwide Buyers at Cannes, prominent placement on a new crowdfunding platform, Final Draft software, strategic advice, and other career-enhancing gems.
Were Growing...The Sixth annual Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival showcases films one Tuesday night per month in 2023, leading up to our October 2023 Festival dates. You can apply for our "Tuesday Night Showcase" or any festival category. Either way, you'll be considered for all of our events, and if selected, you will become an "official selection."
Need Financing/Seed Money/Finishing Funds?
Our sister company, Hourglass24 .com, is launching during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival/Film Market. We are choosing 24 Projects to launch with, so if you have projects in development that could use some funding/seed money/finishing funds, apply today at Hourglass24.com.
Hourglass24 is Igniting 24-Hour Crowdfunding Campaigns.
Crowdfunding Campaigns earn most of their pledges in the first 12 hours and the last 12 hours, regardless of how long the campaign is. Thus, there’s no reason to agonize through 30 to 60 stress-filled, labor-intensive days when you can have your project ignited, showcased, and funded within 24 hours.
Hourglass24 currently focuses on Feature Films, Documentaries, TV Series, Web Series, Short Films, Video Games, Music Videos, Albums, Concerts, Streaming Events, Comics, Graphic Novels, Books, Musicals, Plays, Screenplays, Film Festivals, Music Festivals, Screenplay Contests, and other wonderfully creative gems.
24 Hours Later, You Could
1. Get your project fully funded.
2. Raise seed funding.
3. Create great hype around your creativity.
24 Hours Later, You Will
Get paid quicker than other platforms.
To have your project(s) considered, click the REGISTER tab on the menu and create an account on Hourglass24.com. Thank you.
Our goal is to help you blossom and thrive in your career. Thank you for stopping by our festival page, and we hope we can help you thrive on multiple projects!
Prizes & Key Dates
We look forward to experiencing your awesomeness!
GRAND PRIZE AWARD
Grand Prize – A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, one year of development advice, and one year of strategic financing and distribution advice. The Grand Prize includes a cutting-edge website with two years of hosting, Final Draft software, and prominent placement on Hourglass24, a new crowdfunding site.
* Our Grand Prize may be awarded to ANY FILMED PROJECT in our festival.
SPECIAL AWARD
Best Female Filmmaker - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, development advice, strategic financing, and distribution advice.
FILM & DOCUMENTARY AWARDS:
Best Feature - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Short Film - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Documentary (Feature or Short) -A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Film Accessible Film - (Feature, Short, or Documentary) - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
SCREENPLAY AWARDS
Grand Prize Screenplay Winner - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, one year of development advice, and one year of strategic financing and distribution advice. The Grand Prize includes Final Draft software and prominent placement on Hourglass24, a new crowdfunding site.
Best Short Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Script Accessible Feature Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Script Accessible Short Screenplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Teleplay - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Play/Musical - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
MUSIC AWARDS
Best Music Video - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Song - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
Best Composition - A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and strategic advice.
KEY DATES
Submissions opened on September 23, 2022
The early bird submission deadline is January 31, 2023
The regular submission deadline is May 31, 2023.
The late submission deadline is June 30, 2023.
The extended deadline is July 21, 2023.
The monthly "Tuesday Night Showcase" screenings will start in 2023, and all selections for our festival will be notified by July 4, 2023.
Our festival is from October 4-8, 2023, at the Regent Theater in Arlington, MA.
Winners are announced on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at our awards ceremony.
Good Luck!