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The Experimental Film Fest (10)

Deadlines

01 Oct 2026
Call for entries

01 Dec 2026
Early deadline

01 Feb 2027
Standard deadline

01 Jun 2027
Late deadline

01 Aug 2027
Extended deadline

9
mths

14 Nov 2027
Notification date

13 Nov 2027
13 Nov 2027

Address

317 Middle Street, 28562, New Bern, NC, United States

Festival description

Short film festival 15'<

Festival requirements

Film festival

Fiction

Documentary

Animation

Fantastic

Terror

Experimental

Music Video

Other

Any Genre

Any Theme

Has submission fees

International Festival

Physical Location

Production date: Any

Production countries: Any

Shooting countries: Any

Director nationalities: Any

Debut Films

School projects

Short Films 15'<

AI Tools

Any language

Subtitles
English

Share on Social Networks

Facebook
Tweet

English

Festival description (Edition: 10)

Festival start: 13 November 2027 Festival end: 13 November 2027

The Experimental Film Fest 2027

The Experimental Film Fest features Avant-Garde and Experimental films in any sub-genre. We want the unusual, the macabre, the offbeat, the beautiful, the ugly, and the truly experimental film. Explore the medium in ways that are not only unconventional but entertaining. Remember that you want an audience for your films, so be sensitive to the eyes, ears, and emotions of those who will experience your work.

Student films are judged with all other films for awards, but are also judged separately for Best Student Film. This award encourages young filmmakers to participate in film festivals and brings new talent to the screen for audiences.

***WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS***

Be sure to listen to The Experimental Film Podcast and arrange to be a guest.

The awards carry the following prizes:

Festival Winner - $100
Critic's Choice - $75
Audience Favorite - $75
Best Student Film - $50
Best Animation - $50

2026 FESTIVAL DATE IS SEPTEMBER 19, 2026

Bank of the Arts 317 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560

Prizes and qualifications

Cash Prizes: 350$

The awards carry the following prizes:

Festival Winner - $100
Critic's Choice - $75
Audience Favorite - $75
Best Student Film - $50
Best Animation - $50

2026 FESTIVAL AWARDS

Festival Winner - TIny Red Dot - Krista Leigh Steinke - US

Critic's Choice - As I Burn - Ksenia Vyakina - UAE

Best Animation - Do Objects Dream of Angels? - Celina Liu - UK

Best Student Film - USER_4220 - Ganlin Yang - China

Audience Favorite - A Business Call! - Cara Griffin - US

Rules

Films must be downloadable via Festhome. If your film is password protected, please provide the password with your submission.

*** If your film is selected for screening at the festival, you must provide a short (1-2 minute) video that introduces you and your film to the audience. This introductory film is required for screening at the festival. ***

You may submit your film regardless of the creation date as long as it is your work.

This year, there is a 15-minute time limit for films.

***WE DO NOT OFFER FEE WAIVERS***

Student Films

Short Films 15'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 23%

Early 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Dec 26

Standard 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Feb 27

Late 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Jun 27

Extended 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Aug 27

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
01 Aug 27

Save up
2.3$

Submit

For student films only - Graduate school, College, University, High school, Middle school, and Elementary school. 15-minute time limit.

Experimental Film

Short Films 15'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 23%

Early 18$ 16.56$ 13.86$ 01 Dec 26

Standard 22$ 20.24$ 16.94$ 01 Feb 27

Late 25$ 23$ 19.25$ 01 Jun 27

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 23.1$ 01 Aug 27

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
01 Aug 27

Save up
4.14$

Submit

Films 15 minutes or less. Experimental, Avant-Garde, Exploratory, Abstract, Silent, and Art House are welcome.

Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.

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