Skyway Film Festival is back and better! Known as the "storytellers festival" it will take place in the beautiful city of Bradenton, FL. The Skyway Film Festival will showcase the craft of filmmaking by advocating the work of filmmakers, screenwriters and all artists who use the medium of film and television to bring art alive.

The festival will emphasize "new" artists as they bring their works to the big screen. Film screenings will be accompanied by numerous networking opportunities and attended by independent film enthusiasts.

The organizers of Skyway have programmed for other festivals that have been mentioned as "Top Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" by Movie Maker Magazine. The Skyway team looks to capitalize on industry relationships to make it a must-attend fest! The premiere entertainment communication and marketing firm PMK*BNC has partnered with Skyway to bring their breadth of contacts and assets to the festival.

The festival inspires to bring a new cultural experience to the area that will resonate throughout the community. The beauty and charm of the Gulf Islands: Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key will be the “Hollywood” backdrop that showcases the works of filmmakers from all over the world. The goal of the festival itself is to combine the excitement and experience of Hollywood with the relaxing atmosphere of a vacation.

Skyway will consist of:

Approximately 50 new films (shorts, documentaries, features)
Showcase premieres of the best new Independent films
Tributes to entertainment talent
Workshops and discussions surrounding film and television hosted by industry pioneers
Script table read of a new film and/or television show
Grand Jury and Audience awards in various categories with prizes
Filmmaker exclusive opportunities
Media attendance

The award categories will include:

Grand Jury and Audience Awards - Narrative Feature, Short Film, Documentary Feature, Florida Production, TV Scripts, Student Showcase.

Short Film Awards
Best US Short Film and Best International Short Film receive opportunity for distribution from IndiePix Films.

IndiePix Films is home to one of the broadest online selection of indie films from around the world, including the latest award-winning titles from the festival circuit, popular indie classics, foreign documentaries and more.

Teleplay - Top script will be read at festival by professional actors. Winner will meet with Production Company to discuss project in depth.
Travel Stipends will be offered

Skyway Film Festival - Bradenton, FL

Skyway Film Festival accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of entries during shipment to or from Skyway Film Festival.
RULES and REGULATIONS

1. Film Entries must be postmarked by April 29, 2025
2. Film Entrants must submit TWO (2) DVD (NTSC, Region 0 or 1) viewing copies for consideration or provide a FilmFreeway online screener.
3. Entry forms will not be processed without accompanying Preview Copies in one of the accepted formats for film applicants.
4. Films must not be available online, have cable or theatrical distribution prior to the festival to be considered for competition. Such films can be special showcase films.
5. Please write Title, Genre, Tracking ID, Running time, Contact Email on DVDs.
6. All films(except for Campus MovieFest Films) selected for screening at the festival grant Skyway Film Festival the right to use stills and excerpts of up to two minutes for promotional purposes.
7. Festival is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged entries.
8. Exceptions to the festival regulations must be authorized by one of the Festival Directors.
9. Multiple entries are permissible, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate Entry and fee.
10. Submissions will not be returned.
11. All fees are nonrefundable.
12. Films must be completed after January 1, 2023
13. Skyway does not offer entry fee waivers. All films pay fees that are in competition to create a level playing field.

SHIPPING

The cost of shipping an entry to the festival must be paid by the entrant. Collect or C.O.D. shipment will not be accepted. All international entries must be sent "free domicile" to the Festival office with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper. Any brokerage fees charged to Skyway FILM FESTIVAL will be billed back to the shipper. Be sure to include all the proper customs documentation required by the shipping company.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

I/We wish to have our film/animation/music video/ entry(ies) hereby known as “ENTRY” included in the Skyway Film Festival hereby known as “Skyway”. I/We grant Skyway and sponsors the right to show for promotional purposes on television, on the Skyway website (www.skywayfilmfestival.org), on sponsors websites, flyers, posters, press releases, etc. No more than two minutes of ENTRY or up to the length of the trailer submitted by the filmmakers. I/we understand that no materials included with this application will be returned.

I grant Skyway and its sponsors the full and free right and permission to use my ENTRY for broadcast, duplication, and advertising in association with Skyway, for the purpose of viewing on television, in theatres, on the internet, on the Skyway website, on sponsors’ websites, podcasting and/or for archival purposes and for any other valid, lawful purpose in any and all media now known or hereafter developed or devised, worldwide and in perpetuity. I may opt-out from any future use after Sept 20th, 2023 by providing a thirty day written notice after the final date of the festival, that my ENTRY may no longer be used. A copy of ENTRY may still be kept for archival purposes.
*Campus MovieFest films are an exception to any use by the festival without the proper notification of the festival and the authorization of the Campus MovieFest.

I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photograph, advertising copy, audio piece or printed matter that may be used or to the eventual promotional use that it may be applied.

I hereby release, discharge and agree to hold harmless Skyway its officers, agencies employees and sponsors, and Let Live Theatres, its officers, agencies and employees, from and against any liability as a result of any use, distortion, blurring or alteration that may occur or be introduced in any use or broadcast of the material.

I grant Skyway permission to give a copy of the ENTRY to industry members if requested. Industry, includes but is not limited to network executives, agents, managers, casting directors, press and others that can aid in securing of future work and/or distribution for my ENTRY.

I waive any and all rights to compensation for any broadcast, duplication, and advertising of any ENTRY presented at the festival. All ownership of all ENTRY remains with the personnel who contributed to the ENTRY. I own all material submitted with application and that will be viewed at Skyway. I understand that Skyway, its producers and sponsors are relying on this release and accordingly, I hereby irrevocably waive any and all rights to seek or obtain any injunction or other equitable relief against Skyway, its officers, agencies, employees, Let Live Theatre and sponsors.

I warrant that the use of the rights granted here and of any material supplied by me/us will not violate the rights of any third party. I agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Skyway, its officers, agencies, employees and sponsors from any claims by third parties alleging that our content or material infringes on any third party’s rights. This Release and Hold Harmless Agreement shall bind my assigns and any representative.

This contract is the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and replaces and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding, verbal or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. No amendment, addendum, modification or waiver of this contract or any portion hereof shall be valid unless contained in a writing signed by both parties hereto.

In exchange for release, I receive the opportunity to have my ENTRY shown at Skyway and accept that there is no promise of additional payment, in any form for likeness, image, biography, recording, equipment, or for any other contribution by us on this production.

This contract shall be deemed to be entered into in Manatee County, Florida, and shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida applicable to agreements entered into and carried out entirely within Florida. I agree that any and all disputes or controversies arising under this contract or any of its terms shall be resolved under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association, under its Commercial Arbitration Rules, through its Bradenton, Florida office; provided, however that I agree that my remedies for any breach of this contract by the Skyway Film Festival, its officers, agencies, employees and sponsors will be limited to damages to an action at law to recover and in no event will I be entitled to rescind or terminate this agreement or to seek injunctive or any other equitable relief.

I hereby certify that I am over eighteen years of age and competent to contract in my own name. If I am signing on behalf of an organization, I certify that I have authority to do so and that my signature binds the organization and its members to all elements of this contract.

I have read the foregoing release and authorization and agreement, before affixing my signature below, and warrant that I fully understand the contents thereof.

I am authorized to sign and give consent for everyone (including but not limited to performers, writers, directors, technical crew, distributors) who contributed to all ENTRY(IES) and all materials submitted with this application to the Skyway FILM FESTIVAL.

We reserve the right to refuse to consider any submission at our discretion.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Andrea Podolak

    We had an amazing time at the festival! wonderful experience for everyone who attended I believe. The festival lineup were also awe-inspiring. We hope to be back again in the future. Thank you so much for the opportunity

    November 2023
  • Sandra Whyte

    We were thrilled to be screening our short "The Passage". The event was fantastic and we met a lot of amazing filmmakers too.
    Thank you for such a lovely experience.

    October 2023
  • Oliver Shaw

    Fantastic festival, we felt really welcome and at home. Highly recommended!

    October 2023
  • Katie Chen

    Was a pleasure to screen at Skyway Film Festival this year - great team - great venue - would highly recommend!

    October 2023
  • Lynn Reed

    This was a fantastic festival! I felt like I was valued, my film was valued, and I met so many other filmmakers that I felt like I was truly a part of a community. Can't say enough good things about it and the people who run it.

    May 2016