Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival

Submission Requirements

- Competition is open to U.S. and International entries. Please check individual categories for additional requirements.

- Feature films are 40 minutes in length or longer. Short films are under 40 minutes in length.

- Films not in the English language must be subtitled in English. All submissions will be assessed by English speakers. If submission is in a language other than English and speech is necessary for the experience, subtitles or other means of speech translation will be required.

- We require closed captioning for all selected films. If unavailable at the time of submission, the entry will still be considered, and if accepted, the festival will provide captioning that must be approved by the submitter prior to festival presentation.

- Films that have shown theatrically or been broadcast on television in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region prior to the Festival or are available on DVD or VOD are not eligible for competition.

- No works previously submitted to the festival will be considered. Any film invited to play at the Festival MUST communicate to the director of film programming if release plans change once the film is selected for programming. Failure to communicate may result in the film being pulled from the lineup.

- Entries must be submitted for pre-screening via Vimeo or YouTube link. If you use a secured link, you are REQUIRED to keep us updated with passwords or your film will be considered INVALID and will be DISQUALIFIED with no refund.

- You may submit no more than three entries, and you must fill out a separate entry form and pay an entry fee for each.

- OTR International Film Festival employees, including seasonal staff, board members, sponsors, and their immediate families, are not eligible to submit in any category to this competition.

- Entry fee (must be paid online).

- 3-Line Synopsis (may be used for Festival Program and website)

- FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS: 200 Word Synopsis (may be used for Festival Program and website)

- COLLEGE STUDENTS: Include proof of student status at the time of production. (Copy of student ID or transcript.)

- YOUNG FILMMAKERS: Include a copy of your state or student ID verifying your age at the time of completion of the film. You may submit a letter from a teacher if you do not have photo ID.

- Accepted entries must submit at least one digital, horizontal 300dpi still photo from the film and at least one web-ready still at 72dpi and 560x315 pixels. The festival reserves the right to use images from the films selected for marketing purposes (web, print media, and television).

FESTIVAL SCREENING
The individual and/or corporation submitting the film guarantees that they are authorized to commit the film to multiple screenings during the 2026 Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival - February 25-28, 2026.

LIABILITY
OTR International Film Festival is held harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity or screening of any film.