The We Make Movies International Film Festival celebrates the Do-It-Yourself filmmaking aesthetic. Held in Hollywood every year, WMMINTL serves to highlight DIY filmmakers across the spectrum of the industry in every genre. In 2024, we're also excited to continue our Short Film Screenplay Competition (introduced in 2023), where 5 finalists will hear their scripts read live by professional actors at the festival in Los Angeles.

From horror to drama, comedy to documentary, experimental and underground to video art and music videos, we salute filmmakers who embrace the true indie spirit by making quality art on their own terms. Based on the idea of "making the film that YOU want to see," this week-long festival provides networking and social events, industry panels, a showcase of shorts, features, series, and video art from around the world, live multi-media performances, and an awards ceremony. By bringing filmmakers of all ilks together, we strive to elevate artists and revitalize the industry that we want to be a part of.

Our festival attracts not only brazen storytellers with a distinct point of view, but enterprising creatives who think outside of the box when it comes to the process of filmmaking. We applaud filmmakers who understand the importance of (and know how to wear the many hats required on) a true indie production. We welcome seasoned professionals and veteran storytellers, emerging voices and new talents, and everything in between -- but the filmmakers who challenge the way things have always been done by finding imaginative and unique solutions to common pre-production, production, and post-production problems are our heroes. If you are a filmmaker who takes chances and asserts your authenticity, we are interested in discovering and promoting you because you are the future of film and filmmaking.

WMMINTL is a natural extension of We Make Movies (wemakemovies.org), a film collective with a thriving worldwide community, a service hub for all pre-production, production, and post-production needs, a practical alternative to film school, and a digital branding and marketing agency for businesses, organizations, and indie artists alike. WMM actively bolsters filmmakers by connecting them to a supportive community of like-minded artistic professionals and cost-efficient and dependable resources and educational tools, as well as providing an outlet for artistic expression, collaboration, and evaluation through our weekly labs and annual international film festival.

​Our goal is to empower our fellow filmmakers, provide a custom experience tailored to the needs of each project, budget, and artist, and ultimately bridge the gap between the filmmaker and the business of film.

Best Narrative Short Film (All Genres)
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Experimental/Video Art Short Film (including Music Video)
Best Pilot/Series (Web/TV)
Best Mid-Length Film (25 to 50 minutes)
Best Feature Film (All Genres, including Documentary and Experimental/Video Art)
Best Performer
Best Director (Feature, Short or Mid-Length)
Short Film Screenwriting Competition Awards (1st, 2nd and 3rd Place)

- Short films that have previously premiered films are fine.
- Feature films that have not premiered in Los Angeles or in North America will be given priority.
- Feature films with distribution will not be considered.
- All Feature Films must commit to having two representatives at the festival.
- Films that were submitted to previous years' WMMINTL Fests will not be viewed.
- No Rough Cut Submissions -- film must be completed upon entry. Acceptance to festival will be determined on merits of first film submitted.
- Selected filmmakers must provide requested materials -- poster or other digital images, a high-resolution copy of the film, and a film summary, including key players from the cast and crew, filmmaker bio, and the film runtime for the program -- as requested by the festival organizers.
- We Make Movies International Film Festival does not pay screening fees to selected films.
- Please do not submit your film in more than one category -- it's a waste of your money and time. If the festival organizers think your film or project belong in different (or multiple) categories they will figure it out. Submitting multiple times in different categories will not increase your chances for acceptance, and just creates confusion and extra work on the festival judging end.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Had a blast at WMMIFF! The festival showcased a fantastic range of films and created a welcoming space for filmmakers and audiences alike. The programming was top-notch, and the events offered great opportunities to connect and learn. Truly a celebration of creativity and storytelling—we can’t wait to come back!

    August 2025
  • Had the opportunity to screen my film «When I Close My Eyes I See Everything» in the 2024 edition of the festival. Although I couldn't travel to LA, I followed the selection/programme from a distance and had a close portuguese friend attending the screenings: the communication was great, the discussions were very enriching, and the organizers have kept in touch even after the end of the event. You can feel there's a lot of care put into organizing it, and a strong sense of community bringing all these people together!

    April 2025
  • Had a very fun saturday night screening in Hollywood with some other comedy short films. The quality of the films was very high, lots of great talent involved. The bar next door was perfect for celebratory hang with cast & crew & supporters. Was thrilled to accept the audience award for "Bike Short" which came with $500 of rental gear.

    March 2025
  • Jason Tostevin

    Run by organizers with not only a love of filmmaking/screenwritings, but also genuine expertise and a commitment to supporting creators in seeing their projects in a new light. Well worth the submission; impressed by the well-built program, communication, experiences and follow-through.

    December 2024
  • Carolina Alvarez

    We loved being a part of We Make Movies Festival! WMM has been a huge help for us since pre-production, and getting to screen at their festival was so much fun! We connected both with the WMM team and other filmmakers and had a great turn out to see our film. The WMM team was communicative leading up to the fest and very supportive.

    December 2024