We are the West Coast’s premier festival dedicated to showcasing fresh and innovative filmmaking, screening everything from festival favorites like Damsel (starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska), to world premieres like Netflix favorite Abducted in Plain Sight.

We are committed to discovering and supporting emerging filmmakers. There’s a reason MovieMaker magazine has named Mammoth Lakes Film Festival as one of the “Top 50 Film Festival’s Worth Your Entry Fee” for the last nine years in a row: We put our filmmakers first! And now we are one of the "Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World" named by MovieMaker Magazine — a true testament to the experience you will have with us.

We always secure top-level press to attend the festival in order to get exposure for our filmmakers. Attending press and industry professionals have included Variety, The Wrap, Indiewire, MovieMaker Magazine, Hollywood Reporter and more.

The 11th annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival takes place on the five days leading up to Memorial Day, May 21-25, 2025.

MLFF captures the imagination of audiences and contributes to the vitality of film culture by providing emerging filmmakers with an opportunity to show their latest work in a vibrant and nurturing atmosphere. Visitors are drawn to the area to experience exciting new films by both new and established independent artists, and for the opportunity to mingle with them at fun and friendly daily events. The festival is also a forum for filmmakers to have their work seen by industry professionals who have the potential to provide mentorship and propel their careers.

We are committed to promoting film as an art form by focusing on personal, innovative, imaginative films by writers and directors with a unique style and point of view. We present these films in the beautiful natural setting of Mammoth Lakes — a perfect backdrop for an independent film festival and a premier tourist destination in its own right. Because we are a destination resort, just a 4 to 5-hour drive or a quick flight from Los Angeles, we have strong allies within the entertainment industry. Our jury members are acclaimed artists and professionals from the world of independent film. We give out multiple awards in the categories of Narrative Features, Documentary Features, and Short Films.

We award cash and prizes valued at more than $40,000.00. We provide housing and festival passes for our filmmakers. Our juries have included Tim Moore (Producer of AMERICAN SNIPER, INVICTUS), Allison Amon (Producer of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES), Rachel Winter (Academy Award winning producer of DALLAS BUYERS CLUB), and John Fiedler (Producer of SERIAL MOM and PECKER).

The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival is a DBA of the Eastern Sierra Arts Alliance and is a 501(c)3.

MAMMOTH LAKES FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Screenplay Competition is dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging, innovative screenwriters. We welcome screenplays in every genre, on any topic, from anywhere in the world. We are looking for stories from writers that have a unique voice and a specific point of view. Every submission will receive 3-5 lines of feedback. You can request detailed feedback of 4-5 pages of feedback for an additional fee. MLFF will present the Grand Prize for the best screenplay at the 2025 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, May 25th, 2025.

We look forward to reading your work!

The top 10 screenplays will be offered housing and passes to attend the festival and network with attending press, industry, distributors and filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

Cash prizes from $500.00 to $1,000.00 are included with each award. We will also provide housing and festival passes for our filmmakers and the top 10 screenplays. We award camera packages and more to our winners. Over $40,000.00 in cash and prizes are awarded.

Awards & Prizes for the Screenplay Competition
The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash award $1,000.

Rules & Terms

Films must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2024.

Films may have screened in other festivals but we do not accept films with past theatrical distribution or that have been broadcast (televised) anywhere in the U.S., this also includes yourtube before May 25th, 2025.

Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway online screener.

No Fee Waivers are available.

Entry fees are non refundable.

No commercials.

We do consider works in progress but your film needs to be close to completion and if selected it must be completed before April 15, 2025.

Do not send a press kit until your film has been selected.

All non-English language films must have legible English subtitles.

All multiple submissions must have separate forms and appropriate fees.

The selection committee's decisions are final.

If your film is selected, your screening print and one backup must arrive by May 1, 2025.

If your film is selected, you must provide two high-resolution screen shots, a secure online link for press by April 20, 2025. You will also be asked to provide press materials and a trailer for the website.

All filmmakers under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian submit on their behalf.
Filmmakers must be authorized to submit their films to the 2025 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival (MLFF) and are responsible for the accuracy of all information provided on the application form.

The MLFF may use images, sounds and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes in all media including the MLFF website and may present accepted films at the 2025 MLFF.

You indicate that you have read and understand the MLFF entry guidelines and rules and regulations and that you agree to the MLFF Terms and Conditions. Furthermore, you indicate that you shall indemnify and hold harmless the MLFF from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's 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.

RULES FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

By entering Mammoth Lakes Film Festival Screenplay Competition, you agree to follow its rules and guidelines.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

- Scripts submitted to the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry.

- If a submitted screenplay is optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the judging period, the applicant must notify us and that screenplay will no longer be eligible for an award.

- Screenwriters that are members of the DGA and are professional writers are ineligible.

- If your screenplay is an adaptation you must provide the MLFF with the rights to the original work that you are adapting, unless it is in the public domain.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

- All scripts must be in PDF format.

- Screenplays must be in English, formatted according to current industry standards in 12-point courier font.

- Screenplays must have a clean cover page. This means the title only on the cover, no author’s name/contact information.

- If the script is based on a true story, that should be noted on the title page.

- No substituted pages or other revisions will be accepted once you have submitted your script. New versions of scripts can be resubmitted by filling out a new entry form and paying a new entry fee. All entries must be uploaded by the appropriate deadline.

- No refunds.

JUDGING FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

- All notifications will be sent by the notification date on FilmFreeway.

- If the screenplay has multiple writers, all writers are hosted at the festival but the grand prize of $1,000.00 would be split amongst the writers

- Feedback will include 3-5 lines unless screenwriter has opted for the more extensive coverage package for the additional fee.

- All decisions are final.

PROTECT YOUR WORK

MLFF is not responsible in any way for your script or concept and we strongly suggest you register your work with the Writers Guild of America, West (www.wga.org or call 323.782.4500) and the US Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov).

FEEDBACK FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

All submitted screenplays will receive a short paragraph of coverage that will let you know what we think the strengths and weaknesses of the script are. This is only a baseline to help you know what is generally missing to help you with moving forward with rewrites. It is not the full coverage that is included in the extensive

84 Reviews
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  • Andrew Braunbahr

    I just spent last week attending the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival! In short, it was amazing! MLFF is the sincerest group of filmmakers supporting, showcasing, and encouraging other filmmakers that I’ve ever encountered.

    My screenplay – Imogene’s Tornado – was a finalist in their screenplay competition. Though I ended up not winning, it was a real honor to be a finalist. Words fall short to describe how much enjoyed my time. I’m going home with an amazing amount of learnings, feeling seen and validated. Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, Shira Dubrovner, Paul Sbrizzi, Johanna Jenneman, all the amazing staff and volunteers, and all the other filmmakers, gratitude, respect, blessings!
    Mammoth Lakes Film Festival

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for coming out. We are a festival that would be nothing without the talent attending. I hope you like the roundtable for the writers.

  • Alan Mah Baxter

    Best festival I’ve ever attended!! Paul, Shira, Johanna and the entire staff went above and beyond to make it a fantastic experience!! I’m a screenwriter and was a top 10 selection in their writing competition. They PAID FOR my accommodations (5 nights in total) and I stayed at a gorgeous condo only a few minutes from the fest. They provided me with a free VIP pass, which included access to all screenings, parties and discounts at local restaurants. It even included free drinks coupons for each party!! On top of that, they gave me TWO MORE FREE VIP passes and my friends could attend everything too! The films were incredible and wonderfully curated. There was a private round table held for the finalist screenwriters. The special guests were Tim Moore, Producer (Sully, Richard Jewell) and Alex Mechanik, Academy Award nominated Screenwriter (May December). The festival treated screenwriters like royalty and the staff was always so warm and incredibly helpful. There were filmmakers from all over the world and I made a lot of terrific connections. Definitely entering again next year!!

    May 2024
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  • ray smiling

    Absolutely amazing festival. I've been two years now and each time was truly amazing. Great programming and an a wonderful collection of filmmakers. Everyone is super friendly and there's just a unique atmosphere that's really akin to summer camp for movie nerds.

    July 2023
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    Response from festival:

    It was so lovely to have you again at the festival. Your films are so thoughtful and artistically beautiful and so deserving of your win!

  • D C Cummings

    GREAT FESTIVAL! The festival communicated with me from the start and contacted me by phone. They tried to make all the accommodations they could to get me to be there. It is a class operation. I look forward to next year's festival.

    June 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much. Our screenwriters are so important to us. Especially as we are in the middle of the Writers strike we truly need to stand beside our Writers! If it is not on the page it is not on the stage!!!!

  • Andy McMillan

    We love Mammoth Lakes and were so excited to screen Mississippi River Styx there!

    June 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Can't wait to see what you make next! Congrats on your win!