Welcome to the “Sundance of the South!”

Experience the charm, creativity, and cinematic magic of the Swan Lake Premiere Film Festival (SLPFF)—a celebration of independent filmmaking held in the beautiful city of Sumter, South Carolina. Hosted at the historic Sumter Little Theatre, SLPFF brings together filmmakers and film lovers for three unforgettable days of screenings, conversation, and community.

Nestled near the iconic Swan Lake Iris Gardens, our festival draws inspiration from grace, artistry, and bold storytelling—embodied by our festival mascot, Sterling the Swan, the symbol of elegance, courage, and creative flight.

The Swan Lake Premiere Film Festival welcomes films from around the world across all genres—including drama, comedy, thriller, horror, sci-fi, animation, documentary, music videos, faith-based films, and Southern storytelling. Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned professional, SLPFF celebrates the diversity and daring spirit of independent cinema.

Throughout the festival, audiences will enjoy exclusive screenings followed by Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers. These conversations create a warm, engaging environment where creators can share insights, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes stories.

The final evening culminates in our Swan Awards, honoring excellence in categories spanning multiple genres and filmmaking disciplines. It’s an exciting night where artistry takes center stage and filmmakers take flight.

SLPFF is dedicated to uplifting independent filmmakers and enriching the cultural landscape of South Carolina. Our mission is to introduce audiences to compelling stories they may not encounter anywhere else, while fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and uplifting creative community.

Join us September 11–13 in Sumter, SC, for a celebration of art, passion, and cinematic storytelling.

Let your film take flight with Sterling the Swan at the Swan Lake Premiere Film Festival!

Awards & Prizes

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize Awards will be given in certain categories.

More awards and prizes coming soon.

Management Representation Introduction for all awards winners and Production Company Introductions for Pitch Fest Winners.

Rules & Terms

See our website at www.slpff.com for the official rules and FAQs.

Eligibility:

All films submitted for consideration in the 2026 Swan Lake Premiere Film Festival (SLPFF) must have been completed on or after January 1, 2023.

Films not produced within this timeframe will be deemed ineligible unless granted special exemption by festival administration.

Language Requirements:

All films not in English must include English subtitles at the time of submission.

Submissions without required subtitles may be disqualified at the discretion of the selection committee.

Submission & Selection Process:

All submissions are reviewed by the SLPFF Preview and Selection Jury, appointed by the festival’s steering committee.

The festival’s programming decisions, including selections, awards, and category placements, are final and not subject to appeal.

Submission to SLPFF constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of all festival rules, regulations, and terms.

Screening & Scheduling:

SLPFF will determine the screening date, time, and venue for all selected films.
While SLPFF will make every effort to adhere to the schedule published in the official program, the festival cannot be held responsible for changes made after the lineup is announced.

Selected filmmakers will be notified of any schedule adjustments as promptly as possible.

Materials & Costs:

The festival is not responsible for any costs associated with shipping, mailing, or delivering supplemental materials, including but not limited to DVDs, posters, photographs, promotional items, or additional screeners.

Submitted materials will not be returned unless mutually agreed upon in advance.

Content Policy:

SLPFF reserves the right to refuse or withdraw a film from exhibition if it is determined to contain material that is excessively offensive, gratuitously violent, discriminatory, or otherwise inconsistent with the festival’s values and community standards.

General Terms:

By submitting a film, the filmmaker or submitter hereby guarantees that they have full legal rights and permissions for all content within the film and agree to indemnify the festival against any claims arising from exhibition.

The filmmaker grants SLPFF the non-exclusive right to use excerpts, stills, titles, and promotional materials for marketing and publicity related to the festival.

Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of acceptance status.

SLPFF does not pay screening fees for submitted works.