The Moviate Underground Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to exhibiting avant garde, experimental, outsider, and truly independent film and video. We seek work from a range of artistic expressions - from fiction to nonfiction - that exists and thrives despite consumer capitalism and market-based cinema. Moviate is fundamentally media-agnostic, yet we enthusiastically support and encourage the exhibition of analog film. We offer discounted submission fees for works produced on celluloid, as well as extra incentives for those exhibiting on Super8 and 16mm.

MUFF is programmed by Moviate, a non-profit media arts organization dedicated to exhibiting independent and underground film and video in Harrisburg, PA and surrounding areas. Our volunteer-based curatorial collective is artist-run and we organize year-round programming as well as the annual festival.

Past filmmakers and speakers in attendance include:

John Waters
Todd Solondz
Crispin Glover
Guy Maddin
Lauren Wolkstein
Skizz Cyzyk
Frank Henenlotter
Su Friedrich
Carter Stevens
Bryan Lewis Saunders
Z'EV
Emily Hubley
Jem Cohen
Sight Unseen
Laura Faggioni
Richard Elfman
Adolfas Mekas
L.M. Kit Carson
Weird Paul!!!
Frank Whaley
Richard Kern
The Trachtenburg Slide Show Players
The Cast & Crew of John Waters' "Desperate Living"
Richard Edson
Mark Borchardt
Clayton Patterson
David Redmon
Mark Eaton and Johnn Swarr
Helen Stickler
Kelly Baker aka The Angry Filmmaker
and many others!

Attending filmmakers receive free admission to regular festival programming.

Any original films from any year are accepted. Please include a disclaimer for any explicit content. This is used for programming purposes only and will not influence the decision-making process in any way.

Moviate is a completely volunteer-run organization and the time of our volunteers is extremely valuable. This is why we take our length requirements very seriously. Films will not be "in consideration" until the appropriate fee corresponding to the length of film and film format is received. Films disqualified from the festival will not be refunded their submission fee.

Film content categories are much less rigid. We don't usually program by category so they are mostly meant to encourage participation. Please feel free to submit under any content category you like.

Submission tapes / dvds / blurays returned only with Self Addressed / Postage Paid Envelope provided by filmmaker.

Exhibition Tape / DVD / Bluray / DCP or Print is returned via USPS PRIORITY MAIL with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION to Filmmaker from and paid for by the Moviate Underground Film Festival. Any other postage special handling needs are the expense of the filmmaker.

The Moviate Underground Film Festival and its media and press affiliates may use any part of the filmmakers bio information, still images or video and film clips for promotional purposes at any time before the festival and for a year after the festival has ended.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Moviate Underground 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
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Networking
  • Moviate Underground Film Festival's love for experimental cinema is infectious. An incredible festival on all fronts!

    November 2023
  • Once again, Moviate proves their love for experimental, underground, and avant-garde cinema. Multiple programs with special guests and visiting filmmakers all weekend. Thank you for support independent cinema!

    June 2023
  • Joe Tropea

    One of the best underground film festivals anywhere. The organizers are amazing hosts and very well organized.

    May 2023
  • Derek Jenkins

    Great time with great people in a nice city. Glad I made the trip!

    May 2023
  • Brian Lonano

    Thank you for playing my films over the years. You guys are the best. Moviate is a great team that puts on an awesome underground film festival.

    May 2023