2025 will be our 30th year, The Indie Film Gathering International Film Festival is based in northern Ohio. This weekend long film festival is a gathering for filmmakers young, old, student, amateur, or professional. This festival is for people who create because it is part of their dichotomy. Those that need to make and to express themselves. No matter your budget or access, we celebrate the passion and dedication of artists and filmmakers who simply love and appreciate cinema and are dedicated to growing their skill set and overall knowledge of cinematic arts.

Our mission is to provide an opportunity and safe space for filmmakers of any level or capability to showcase their work. Indie Gathering is an opportunity to engage filmmakers from all walks of life. We are building a community on the premise that bringing people up for their merits is greater than cutting with crushing critique. Indie Gathering is a place for filmmakers to better their skills, showcase their ideas, and build a community. We thrive on your inspiration not your flaws. We embrace experimental, animated, narrative and documentary, short-form and feature length films from every corner of the globe, offering filmmakers an environment that values artistry above marquee names and industry relationships. We are about fostering creativity and honing the craft. "If you build it, they will come”- Field of Dreams. We hope that resonates with you.

**PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING!**

With competitions for films, scripts, film scoring, and acting/monologue, The Indie Gathering has a place for everyone! The weekend consists of two screening rooms, a convention/vendors room, film seminars/lectures, competitions, networking parties and more! If you are involved in, or interested in, any aspect of filmmaking, this festival is for you.

Official Sponsors for 2024 - Student Filmmaker Magazine, Topaz Labs, and Videomaker Magazine. More sponsors to be announced soon.

Previously voted one of the Top 25 Film Festivals by MovieMaker Magazine as the Best Fest for Networking!

Awards & Prizes

Awards to attending winners include framed certificates, software, prizes and other prizes TBA

Rules & Terms

**PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING!**

When submitting your project, please e-mail us with your project information and genre selection at theindiegathering@gmail.com. This must be received by e-mail to ensure your submission goes into the proper judging category. Please include your project name and tracking number in the e-mail. Filmmakers, please also note if your film is a student project. Please note that we may, in our own discretion, move your project into a different genre if we feel it is a better fit for that genre. This does not happen often, but we want to ensure your project is in the right category. However, we still need your selected genre e-mailed to us. Please select only ONE.

Film Genres: Action / Animation / Comedy / Comedy-Romantic / Documentary / Drama / Drama-Comedy / Drama-Crime / Drama-Romantic / Experimental / Family / Fantasy / Horror / Horror-Comedy / Sci-Fi / Suspense-Thriller / Trailer / TV Pilot / Web episode / Western

Music Video Genres: Alternative / Blues / Country / Indie / Jazz / Metal / Other / Pop / Punk / R & B / Rap / Rock

Script Genres: Action / Comedy / Comedy-Romantic / Drama / Drama-Comedy / Drama-Crime / Drama-Romantic / Family / Fantasy / Horror / Horror-Comedy / Sci-Fi / Suspense-Thriller / TV Pilot / Web episode / Western/Animation

Films in any language other than English MUST be subtitled.

There are NO restrictions as to when your film or script was completed or where it has been released. Anyone may enter the competition. All entries must receive an average score of 90 or above in the judging process to qualify for award placement.

We do not grant submission fee waivers *under any circumstance*. We do not pay screening fees.

Please note, if your project qualifies for an award, you or a direct representative from your project must be in attendance at the festival in order to receive any physical awards. Non-attending winners will be e-mailed award certificates after the event.

All submissions - whether accepted or not - come with ONE complimentary 4-day event pass to the festival per filmmaker. Any additional passes must be purchased in advance or at the door.

If you have a film in competition which can no longer be considered for screening, you may withdraw it from screening consideration but still leave it in competition for award placement. Please e-mail theindiegathering@gmail.com as soon as possible if you need to withdraw from consideration for screening.

You may withdraw your submission at any time, but there are no refunds on submissions or tickets.
126 Reviews
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  • Givan Onuaguluchi-May

    The cast and crew of "Life Insurance" were ecstatic to be selected to premiere at The Indie Gathering! It was a nice crowd, and there was a small Q&A after our block was completed. Definitely a memorable experience.

    September 2024
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  • Phranque Wright

    A truly amazing experience with people who really sit and watch and give feedback to films. Great networking with real communication and friendship. They have many activities and opportunities to mingle, meet and share.

    August 2024
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  • Alex P. Michaels

    This is a great festival and very supportive of the local Cleveland filmmaking community. The Organizers should be very proud of what they have created and 29 years and running is a greate testament to their dedication.

    August 2024
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  • Lisa Ovies

    Thank you so much for a wonderful experience!

    August 2024
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  • Shane Thompson

    The Indie Gathering International Film Festival continues to live up to its reputation of being a wonderful program that celebrates the independent filmmaking community!

    August 2024
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