Aesthetica Film Festival to let you know that there is just one month to submit work to our BAFTA-Qualifying festival. It is a prestigious platform for filmmakers, game developers and, new to this year, podcasters, to showcase their work to a national and international audience. It is a global hub for independent cinema, bringing together thousands of people to discover the stories that are shaping the industry. The festival’s 15th anniversary takes place from 5-9 November in York, UK, and is open for submissions across shorts, features, VR & 360 projects, games and podcasts. Your film can win up to £5,000, awards and be part of one of the UK’s most renowned film events for innovative storytelling and media. Submit your game, podcast or film. Submit by May 31.
Join an electrifying celebration of women in cinema from around the globe at the London Women’s Film Festival. Set against the vibrant backdrop of London, the online film festival and screenplay contest are poised to ignite your passion for storytelling and propel your cinematic journey to new heights. The London Women’s Film Festival, champions the visionaries, the dreamers, and the trailblazers. The platform is not just about showcasing films; it’s about amplifying voices, fostering diversity, and nurturing talent. The screenplay contest offers aspiring writers the opportunity to showcase their storytelling prowess and gain recognition on a global stage with expert judging panels and invaluable feedback. The deadline is April 24. Submit.
Join Girls Write Now‘s (GWN) dynamic multi-generational community of writers and leaders, and be matched with a mentor or mentee to form a bond for life! GWN is currently accepting applications for their three-month Summer Cycle: July, August, and September. For nearly three decades, GWN has broken down the barriers of gender, age, race, and poverty to mentor, teach, and connect writers and leaders across disciplines and across the nation. Their nationally award-winning programs have provided creative, critical, and digital writing support, college and career readiness, personalized one-to-one mentoring, vibrant workshops, and extensive opportunities for the next generation of writers and leaders. Gain access to Girls Write Now’s ever-growing resources and opportunities for mentors and mentees across the nation, including virtual and hybrid workshops, specialized learning journeys, and monthly studios focused on your genres and interests. Mentees are 14-24. Mentors are aged 25+. College students who are sophomores or above are eligible to become mentors in the College & MFA Preparation Journey. Deadline: April 30. Email mentee@girlswritenow.org or mentor@girlswritenow.org to learn more. Apply Now!
The 2025 Gotham Week Project Market, the nation’s oldest and largest curated marketplace for film and media creators, is now open for submissions in three sections: U.S. Features in Development, U.S. Shorts-to-Features, and Documentaries!
Set to take place in Brooklyn from 9/29 – 10/3, The Gotham Week Project Market is a meetings-driven forum that facilitates career-spanning relationships with distributors, financiers, production companies, festivals, sales and talent agents, collaborators, and more for all participating creators. Recent participants include Oscar nominees All That Breathes, Crip Camp, and Ascension; major studio releases, such as Dìdi, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Fancy Dance, and Nanny; and numerous films that went on to premiere at such festivals as Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance.
RSVP to their info sessions to learn more! Essentials or Insider Membership is required to apply. Learn more about Gotham Membership. Apply before the extended deadline on May 1. Sign up.
Rest Fest Film Festival is open for submissions! RestFest is more than a film festival. It is a virtual space created by & for the Disabled, Deaf, chronically ill, neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or mad community, globally. By hosting virtual gatherings and screening film/video works by fellow Disabled artists around the world, RestFest aims to show us we are not alone. There is never pressure to get out of bed or to look so-called “presentable” to attend events. RestFest promotes free creative expression by all who are Disabled, Deaf, chronically ill, Neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or mad. The films & video artworks screened are not necessarily about disability or illness. Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend, but the essence of RestFest is that it is ultimately by & for the Disability community. The late deadline to submit is July 20. Learn more and submit.
The Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant deadline is fast approaching—April 29. This is a fantastic opportunity for short film creators to receive funding and professional support to bring their vision to life. Offered by the top-rated nonprofit From the Heart Productions, this grant provides $3,000 in cash and thousands more in industry services to support independent filmmakers in bringing their short films to life. The grant is open to student and independent filmmakers working on narrative fiction short films (live-action or animation) up to 40 minutes in length. The grant has a special focus on unique projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Submit your project.
NYWIFT member, Founder and Festival Director Ella Mische invites you to submit to Croatian International Film Festival (CIFF). CIFF is celebrating its 2nd year in Sibenik, Croatia from August 8-11 and focuses on international films and highlights works by women filmmakers. CIFF is not just a celebration of cinema; it is a vehicle for positive change. Through the art of film, the festival strives to make a lasting impact on society and elevate Croatia’s standing in the international film landscape. By attracting the industry’s finest talents and showcasing the best of global cinema, CIFF aims to position Croatia as a premier destination for culture and art through the power of film. The festival offers awards in categories including Best International Film, Best Domestic Film, Best Screenplay, Best Student Film and more. NYWIFT members can use code CIFFNYWIFT for 20% off submissions until May 16. Regular deadline is April 30. Submit your film.
Submissions are now open for The Hero’s Journey: The Posttraumatic Growth Story Challenge — a short film contest spotlighting powerful stories of transformation through adversity. Created in partnership with Boulder Crest Foundation and Choose Growth, the contest invites filmmakers and storytellers to explore the science of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) through narrative, documentary, animation, or experimental work. Films should be 10 minutes or less. The Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000, along with mentorship and a screening at Soho House, NYC. Submit your film now through May 23.
Hamptons Doc Fest is an annual festival in December that welcomes filmmakers, documentary film lovers and local area students to the historic village of Sag Harbor, New York for dozens of films, discussions, panels, media labs, awards and celebrations. Hamptons Doc Fest highlights include the Pennebaker Career Achievement Award and Gala, which celebrates a visionary in the world of documentary film each year. Past honorees include Michael Moore, Sam Pollard, Dawn Porter, Sheila Nevins, Susan Lacy, and Liz Garbus. Saturday and Sunday mornings feature HDF’s “Shorts and Breakfast Bites” programs, devoted to showcasing documentary shorts under 40 minutes. NYWIFT members can use code WomenFilmTVWomenFilmTV for $5 off per submission. Submit your film before the early deadline on May 1.
Off Page Film Festival is accepting short films up to 15 minutes, one-hour TV Pilots up to 60 pages, half-hour TV pilots up to 30 pages, feature screenplays between 90-120 pages, short screenplays between 1-25 pages, and acting reels up to 90 seconds. The festival is designed as a platform for talented artists to be recognized for their projects and more importantly, get them the industry exposure to help sustain their craft. NYWIFT members can use the code WOMENPOWER for a discount on submissions. The earlybird deadline is May 1. Submit and learn more.
YoFiFest Co-Founder, Festival Director and long-time NYWIFT member, Patty Schumann, invites you to submit your shorts and episodic series before the deadline on May 26. Now in its 13th year, YoFiFest was created for filmmakers by filmmakers. YoFiFest brings together films, filmmakers and audiences from around the globe and right in their backyard! With the construction of several studios, Yonkers is now home to the largest modern film and TV production facility on the East Coast and is rapidly becoming a hub for filmmakers and other creators. YoFiFest 2025 takes place November 7-16. Use your special NYWIFT discount (YONYWIFT25) on FilmFreeway to receive 25% off all submissions. Submit.
Our friends at The Writers Lab are celebrating their 11th year! Submissions for their 2025 International Lab open February 25. International submissions of both Features and Pilots (both 1-hour and ½-hour) in English will be considered. 12 promising projects will be selected for an in-person retreat in New York in November. During the four-day Lab, Mentors and Writers engage in rigorous script development through one-on-one mentor meetings, small group and panel discussions, peer workshops, story rooms, and more. In the following months of ongoing development, TWL mentors guide writers through the revision process with actionable feedback and offer strategic advice and advocacy with the help of partners, industry leaders, and their talented peers. Regular Deadline: April 1. NYWIFT members can use discount code TWL2025_NYWIFT to get $20 off submissions. Apply.
Quentasia Studios‘ online screening event from April 18-April 20 is dedicated to showcasing underrepresented voices, including stories centered on people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and disabled characters. They are looking for short films, documentaries, feature-length films, video podcasts and web series that highlight unique perspectives and authentic storytelling. This year, they want projects centered on themes “Good vs Evil” and subjects who don’t fit into the larger society being accepted for who they are without being forced to change. Quentasia Studios gives films an online streaming platform, accessible to a global audience. If you’re interested in submitting your film, please send an email to info@quentasiastudios.com with the following information: film title, description, runtime, format, private screener link (Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.), filmmaker bio and contact details.
Denver Film is now accepting Letters of Interest (LOIs) for funding consideration through the Music on Film – Film on Music Grant (MOFFOM). This grant supports documentary films that focus directly on music, providing up to $20,000 annually in finishing funds for scoring, composition, and music licensing. MOFFOM grants are available for feature-length documentary films (70 minutes or longer) that are currently in production or post-production. Funding priority is given to music documentaries, and projects must demonstrate a clear connection to music. Denver Film will accept LOI submissions until Monday, June 2. Apply here.
The CinemaStreet Women’s Short Screenplay Competition invites women screenwriters to submit short dramatic scripts of any genre (20 minutes and under) to CinemaStreet Pictures for production consideration. The winning screenwriter will receive $1,000 for the option to produce the film. Screenplays may be from anywhere in the world, but must be in English. Love From Friends, by winning screenwriter Elise Marenson, premiered in Los Angeles and played in film festivals around the country last year. The contest is managed by Terry Lawler, former Executive Director of NYWIFT. The regular deadline is July 15. Apply on FilmFreeway.
The 33rd annual Hamptons International Film Festival (October 3-13, 2025) is now accepting submissions online through FilmFreeway, with an earlybird deadline of March 17 and regular deadline of April 3. The Hamptons International Film Festival takes place annually in October, with a number of additional events held year-round in New York City and the Hamptons. With four competitive categories in narrative feature, documentary feature, narrative short film, documentary short film, and programs in seven non-competitive categories, the Hamptons International Film Festival seeks diverse films made by filmmakers who traverse the globe in order to tell their stories through different cultural styles and experiences. Submit.
Our friends at The Writers Lab are celebrating their 11th year! Submissions for their 2025 International Lab open February 25. International submissions of both Features and Pilots (both 1-hour and ½-hour) in English will be considered. 12 promising projects will be selected for an in-person retreat in New York in November. During the four-day Lab, Mentors and Writers engage in rigorous script development through one-on-one mentor meetings, small group and panel discussions, peer workshops, story rooms, and more. In the following months of ongoing development, TWL mentors guide writers through the revision process with actionable feedback and offer strategic advice and advocacy with the help of partners, industry leaders, and their talented peers. Regular Deadline: April 1. NYWIFT members can use discount code TWL2025_NYWIFT to get $20 off submissions. Apply.
The 26th Annual Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) will take place from October 15-20 and is open for film submissions. Participating filmmakers join prominent industry members from all over the world at the annual festival. Founded in 2000 in the famed artists’ colony of Woodstock, NY, the WFF presents high-quality films, panels, concerts, and special events. March 7 is the earlybird deadline and May 9 is the regular deadline. Learn more and submit.
Known as the “Writers Festival” since its inception 31 years ago, Austin Film Festival (AFF) recognizes the importance of narrative at the core of filmmaking. By celebrating the work of storytellers – those committed to crafting intricate worlds, fully-formed characters, and diverse perspectives – AFF bolsters its reputation as a champion for the creator. AFF Film Competitions offer opportunities for both short and feature Narrative and Documentary work, Digital Series, Student Shorts, and more. Have a Feature or Short screenplay? Maybe a Pilot, TV Spec, or Scripted Podcast? Share your work with their Screenplay competition and get feedback from industry professionals. The early bird deadline is March 25. NYWIFT member film entrants can use the code AFFNYWIFT25 for $15 off when they enter on Film Freeway. NYWIFT member screenplay entrants can use the code AFFNYWIFT25 for $5 off when they submit on the AFF page.
The Climate Film Festival (CFF) returns for its second year, and film submissions are now open! Join them in NYC from September 19–22, 2025 for a celebration of bold, boundary-pushing environmental storytelling—from narrative and documentary features to experimental shorts and music videos. Early bird deadline is February 17, regular deadline is March 18 and final deadline is May 16. Submit your film here.
Seeking actors for Main Character Support Group‘s upcoming Table Read Series on May 29. This is a FREE event designed to provide emerging screenwriters with the opportunity to have their Un-produced TV Pilot Scripts read and performed by actors for the very first time, all in a safe and laid-back environment. You will meet other TV & Movie enthusiasts, play games, make plans for movie date nights / watch parties, and even find a movie theatre buddy to go see the next big summer blockbuster with. This event is unpaid. Sign up.
The Black List‘s Annual Labs support promising, non-professional twelve writers in two cohorts: the Writers Lab cohort and the Projects Lab cohort. The Labs support writers on two distinct career tracks: those who are interested in being a career writer, with a focus on working within the studio system, and those who are interested in writing and directing their own work in the independent space. The goal of the Labs is for all twelve writers to emerge with the strongest possible script and the knowledge of how to move forward in their careers, with Black List support. The Labs are in-person, weeklong intensive writers workshops. Writers in both cohorts will workshop their feature screenplay through one-on-one sessions with professional screenwriting mentors and in peer workshops. The Labs will also include several story- and industry-related sessions with executives, producers, literary agents and managers. Apply by July 1. Learn more!
As anti-Asian violence continues to rise and it appears that police and government entities are reluctant to truly step up, the Asian American Film Lab is commissioning a multi-media project to stop AAPI hate. AAFL invites you to empower the community by sharing your voices and stories. Send AAFL your stories of anti-AAPI Haye and how you dealt with them. Hindsight is always 20/20 and you can be sure someone else has or will experience what you did – what would your advice to them be? Send photos, videos, poems, or however best suits your voice to info@film-lab.org.
Black Market Releasing (BMR) has announced their call for submissions. BMR serves as a source connecting diverse voices and BIPOC stories to the big screen. BMR is a theatrical distributor of bold, new and authentic stories from diverse perspectives. Serving the dynamic, untapped theatrical market for diverse voices, its parent organization, CaribbeanTales has been connecting BIPOC stories to screens, and mobilizing audiences for over 20 years. Submissions are currently being accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit.
Created by Women, from Little Dot Studios, are accepting submissions for their curated YouTube channel. Created by Women is a YouTube channel with content directed, written, or produced by women. Their goal is to generate attention and revenue for independent female and female-identified creators by offering a generous revenue share on monetized videos and using our media teams’ expertise to maximize their YouTube audience. They are currently accepting submissions for comedy, action, drama, unscripted and documentary content. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and submit.
AbilityE, a free platform for performers with disabilities to connect with entertainment studios, has launched. Casting studios are seeking disabled talent more than ever, and so to make these connections happen more quickly, abilityE was created. Disney, Netflix, NBC, and more major studios have expressed enthusiastic interest in this platform. The website also details its origin and how the platform helped Netflix cast their hit show The Healing Powers of Dude. Learn more and create a profile.
The Peter Roth Internship Program at Paley Center is accepting applications beginning TOMORROW April 30. The Peter Roth Internship Program, named in honor of the legendary television executive, offers a paid internship each year for 20 talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities who are interested in a career in television. Applicants must be rising junior or senior students currently enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university. There is currently no deadline to apply. Learn more and apply.
Sloan Distribution Grant from Film Independent is accepting submissions. The Sloan Distribution Grant is a $50,000 grant awarded by Film Independent to a film that is entering its distribution phase. Eligible films must depict themes, stories and characters grounded in real science, technology or economics. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply.
Osmosis Films is seeking submissions from filmmakers and producers for projects in development or early stages of production. The creative studio would assist in creative development, provide production services and some funding, and take projects to market to secure further financing and distribution. For more information contact: originals@osmosisfilms.com and include NYWIFT in the email subject.
The Multicultural Sci-fi Organization (MCSFO) are searching for the next biggest writers in Sci-fi! MCSFO is the premier marketing agency for multicultural sci-fi, fantasy, and comics. MCSFO celebrates sci-fi films and series that bring inclusion and diversity to the genre by honoring their work. The organization are looking for serious geeks who love talking about Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi film, and comics for fun! Must be well-versed in the sci-fi genre with excellent writing and storytelling skills! For more details, contact multiculturalscifi.org@gmail.com.
The Red Bull Arts Microgrant Program is accepting applications. The adapted Microgrant program will award two $1000 grants each month to artists in 20 cities across the United States. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is currently no deadline. Learn more and apply.
Flag TV, a new digital channel in partnership with Nashville Women in Film &TV, is seeking content submissions. FLAG-TV offers independent female filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their content on television via on-demand streaming services.The channel is available on Roku, Amazon Fire and Twitch-TV. To inquire about submissions, email info@flag-tv.com.
Cinereach develops, produces, finances, and supports feature-length fiction, nonfiction and hybrid films crafted for the big screen. They look for projects (at any stage) that create deep and lasting impressions through story, character, or cinematic approach. They seek to work with both unknown and established filmmakers who may face creative, financial or systemic obstacles to realizing ambitious visions. Their films range widely in content and style. Please visit their Films page to review their recent work. Submissions are rolling. Learn more.
The WORLD Channel series America Reframed is currently accepting submissions of completed feature-length non-fiction projects. Each year, Emmy-nominated public television series America ReFramed features diverse personal storytelling often tied to hot-button social issues. With 60 to 90-minute documentary films, followed by provocative conversations, this weekly program offers an unfiltered look at stories rarely given a voice on national television. America ReFramed documents the times in which we live. It airs Tuesdays at 8 PM on the WORLD Channel. Read the guidelines and submit online.
