ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Accepted Works:
Completed features (40 minutes or more), shorts (under 40 minutes), and music videos (under 40 minutes): narrative, documentary, animated, experimental, and student works welcome. Works in progress will automatically be disqualified. Industrial, promotional, educational, government-funded, or news report films will not be considered. Submissions that utilize generative AI in the filmmaking process (preproduction, production, post-production) are not eligible and will be disqualified from consideration.
Completion:
Submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2025.
Premiere Status:
No premiere status is required, but a minimum of Pacific Northwest premieres are preferred (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia). Any films submitting in the Pacific Northwest categories must not have had prior film festival screenings in Tacoma, WA or Pierce County, or screen at any other festival in Pierce County for one month before TFF.
Regional Preference:
As a Pacific Northwest festival, TFF will give special preference to films made by films with strong connections to the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and British Columbia).
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Final Deadline:
Entries must be submitted by the final deadline of June 20, 2026. Deadlines close at 11:59pm, PST.
Waivers:
Entry fees are waived for films:
– Made in Tacoma, WA and/or for directors currently residing in Tacoma.
– Made by returning TFF alumni filmmakers, with film title and year of exhibition denoted.
Please email us at info@tacomafilmfestival.com to request a waiver. No other waiver types are available.
Discounts:
Student works receive a 35% discount on entry fees. Student projects must have been created during matriculation in a high school, college, or master's program. Please include with your submission a student ID or proof of enrollment during the production for film to have film considered.
Refunds:
Entry fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.
Format:
Films must be submitted via secure online screener (Vimeo or YouTube) or via FilmFreeway online screening portal only. If submitted via password protected link, passwords must be active for the duration of the submission process.
Language:
Films not in English must be submitted with the original language soundtrack and English subtitles.
Issues:
If there is anything wrong with your submission, we will contact you. Errors must be corrected by the requested deadline in order to be viewed by our programming committee.
ACCEPTANCE DETAILS
Notification:
Submitters may receive notification of their films acceptance status starting August 1, 2026 and will be notified no later than September 15, 2026. Accepted films will receive a Filmmaker Welcome Packet via email that will include important information about DCP exhibition, “Host a Filmmaker” lodging program, press and publicity, guest accreditation, festival filmmaker liaison contact information and how to make the most of participation in the festival.
Promotional Materials:
All accepted films will be required to submit basic film information and materials, including premiere status, 2-4 stills, and an optional trailer by a deadline.
Film File Delivery:
The accepted film must be received by the Tacoma Film Festival by September 28, 2026 to be played at the Tacoma Film Festival. Accepted films MUST supply a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) in order to be exhibited in our theater. Shorts must supply DCP and 1080p downloadable file backup. Features must supply either 1080p downloadable file or Blu-Ray backup. If you are not prepared to meet the DCP requirement, please do not submit your film. *(Music videos are not required to supply DCP).
Subtitles & Captioning:
All films not in the English language must include English-language subtitles. TFF is committed to increasing accessibility for filmgoers by providing captioning or subtitles to as many titles as possible. Accepted filmmakers are STRONGLY encouraged to include an open caption file for exhibition. Closed caption files are also accepted.
Exhibition:
All films will screen in-person only. Screenings are scheduled during the festival at the discretion of the Tacoma Film Festival. The Tacoma Film Festival also retains the right to run limited Press & Industry screenings the week leading up to the festival. The festival aspires to provide the best quality projection possible but will not be held liable for any failure in the technical quality of the projection, nor will fees be refunded in any such case. The Tacoma Film Festival assumes that the submitting party or filmmaker(s) or entrant(s) or print source company has insured for damage and loss of the festival print or hard-drive.
Festival Promotion:
Should your film be programmed, very brief portions of your submitted material may be copied and utilized for the purpose of promoting your film. Upon submission, filmmakers grant the Tacoma Film Festival the right to use clips and press materials from the film for promotional purposes before and after the festival unless the filmmaker requests otherwise in writing.
TRANSPARENCY
Audience:
Our festival audience is generally comprised of local adult filmgoers who enjoy independent cinema from a variety of genres.
Programming Process:
A large team of pre-screeners and programmers comprised of experienced festival curators will evaluate the 2026 submissions. Each submission will be considered by multiple programmers to ensure fair evaluation.
Demographic Information:
Our submission form includes a demographic question regarding filmmaker identity. This self-reported demographic information is collected to track and address the underrepresentation of historically marginalized artists in our programming. Specific demographic information of applicants will not be shared outside of the festival.
Privacy:
Entrant's personal data and links to online content are treated in strictest confidence by the programming staff. Submitted films links or copies will never be shared or duplicated outside of adjudication, including with donors, sponsors or for personal or fundraising purposes, unless specific permission is obtained from the filmmaker or submitting entity.
Contact:
Please contact info@tacomafilmfestival.com with any questions or concerns regarding the submission process. Please no phone inquiries.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
If a film obtains distribution after submission, TFF will have the right to screen the film at the festival without screening fee. TFF will place any such film in its respective category for competition.
By entering the Tacoma Film Festival, entrants release and hold the promoter and host and other contest entities harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and action of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the festival. The Festival will handle the films with care but cannot be held liable for any damage or loss during the shipping, preview or screening. The Festival is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark or royalty infringements related to the work. Applicants are responsible for their own insurance and are not covered by the festival's insurance.
On submission, the filmmaker grants The Festival the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
The individual or corporation submitting the film warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
The submitting filmmaker shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, expert witness 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.
