Are you an autistic media-maker? Do you know an autistic media-maker? Then submit to the Marvels of Media Festival on FilmFreeway or via Airtable at https://bit.ly/Submit-MarvelsofMedia26

Museum of the Moving Image’s Marvels of Media Festival recognizes the outstanding media work of autistic media-makers through an exhibition, film screenings, and in-depth panel discussions. Emerging autistic media-makers will have a chance to learn from industry experts and independent filmmakers on the spectrum through professional development sessions, and media workshops. The fifth annual Marvels of Media Festival will take place March 26 to March 28, 2026

Marvels of Media is an ongoing initiative that showcases, celebrates, and supports autistic media-makers of all ages and skill sets through the festival, workshops, and more. Throughout the year, autistic visitors will receive guidance and instruction in expressing themselves creatively and telling their stories through audiovisual techniques related to puppetry for screen, filmmaking, game design, and animation. These media workshops strengthen the socioemotional skills of autistic participants through engaging, hands-on activities.

Use code Marvel26 to waive the FilmFreeway submission fee.


Marvels of Media Festival provides the opportunity to:

· Present your work to industry professionals, colleagues, and the general public

· Meet and network with a community of autistic media-makers

· Participate in workshops, exhibits, screenings, and/or learn from other industry professionals

The fifth annual Marvels of Media Festival will take place from March 26 to March 28, 2026. If you need help with the application, have access requests, or have questions, please email: studio@movingimage.org


Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS

To be eligible for the Marvels of Media Festival, you must:

· Be an autistic media-maker based in the United States

· Submit the work of an autistic media-maker based in the United States

In the submission form, there will be questions asking:

· If you are an autistic media-maker

· If you are submitting an autistic media maker’s work

· The role of the autistic media-maker


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a media-maker?

Media-makers are people who create moving image work and participate in the finished work not only as filmmakers, but also as costume designers, editors, producers, game designers, sound designers, etc.

Acceptable media work for the festival includes:

· Film (Experimental, Narrative, Documentary)

· Animation

· Video Art / Single-channel Video

· Virtual Reality

· Television Series / Web Series

· Video games

Who is eligible to apply?

· Autistic media-makers can submit their work

· Collaborators can submit on behalf of an autistic media-maker

· Organizations can submit on behalf of an autistic media-maker

· Family and friends can submit on behalf of an autistic media-maker


Is there a minimum level of experience needed?

No. All autistic media-makers can apply.

This includes:

· Professionals

· Students

· Teachers

· People of all ages

Is the Marvels of Media Festival accepting international media works?

The Marvels of Media Festival is only accepting media works made in the United States.

What year does a media work have to be completed to be eligible for submission?

A media work must have been completed between January 1, 2022 - January 15, 2025 to be eligible for this year’s film festival.

When is the deadline?

The deadline to submit work is January 31, 2026 at 11:59PM EST.

When will I know if my media is selected for the festival?

Filmmakers will be emailed by March 6, 2026.

When will the Marvels of Media Festival take place?

The Marvels of Media Festival will take place from March 26 to March 28, 2026.

7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sarah Waldron

    Incredible! We are so honored to have been included in this beautiful festival. Fantastic communication, very filmmaker-forward, amazing line-up of films, gorgeous setting; an all-around gem! We can't wait to come back!

    April 2024
    Helpful
  • Tal Anderson

    What an amazing experience. I appreciate the selection for this festival, and look forward to many years of showcasing my films at MOMI.

    April 2024
    Helpful
  • Devon Leaver

    The Marvels of Media Awards was an incredible celebration of autistic media makers everywhere. Thank you so much to MoMI, Tiffany Joy Butler, and Miranda Lee for curating such a fantastic event.

    June 2023
    Helpful
  • Cody Fordham

    Excellent festival!! It was so cool meeting all sorts of autistic filmmakers! Tiffany is such a supportive organiser in the program and I loved the films and the award show, definitely would recommend to other autistic filmmakers!

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Carrie Hawks

    This was a really amazing opportunity. I've never been able to meet other autistic media makers in a set-up like this. The exhibit, screenings, and awards ceremony were top-notch. Very much looking forward to future years as this should definitely be an annual event.

    May 2022
    Helpful