Stafford Film Festival (7)

We accept drama feature films over 60 minutes in length, showcasing compelling storytelling, rich character development, and strong directorial vision. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, offering valuable exposure and networking opportunities.

We welcome drama short films of any genre, provided they are under 60 minutes in length. We seek emotionally compelling narratives, strong character development, and impactful storytelling. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, offering valuable exposure and opportunities for future collaborations.

We welcome student-produced drama short films of any length, showcasing emerging talent, fresh storytelling perspectives, and artistic vision. This category is open to students at any level of study, providing a platform for filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience. Submissions may include narrative dramas, psychological thrillers, period pieces, or socially driven stories that explore human emotions, relationships, and impactful themes. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, offering valuable exposure and networking opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers.

We welcome feature-length documentary films that are over 60 minutes in length, showcasing powerful storytelling, in-depth research, and compelling real-world narratives. This category is open to documentaries across all subjects, from social issues and history to personal stories and investigative journalism. Submissions may include observational documentaries, biographical films, environmental or political investigations, and cultural explorations that offer new perspectives and meaningful insights. We seek films that inform, inspire, and engage audiences through authenticity and cinematic storytelling. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, providing a platform for exposure, recognition, and future opportunities.

We welcome short documentary films that are under 60 minutes in length, highlighting real-world stories, compelling perspectives, and thought-provoking narratives. This category is open to documentaries covering a wide range of topics, from social issues and personal journeys to historical events and cultural explorations. Submissions may include investigative pieces, biographical portraits, environmental documentaries, or non-fiction storytelling that offer fresh insights and engage audiences. We seek films that inform, inspire, and spark conversation. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, providing valuable exposure and networking opportunities.

We welcome student-produced documentary films of any length, offering a platform for emerging filmmakers to showcase their unique perspectives and storytelling skills. This category is open to students at any level of study, encouraging fresh voices and bold, insightful filmmaking. Submissions may include social issue documentaries, investigative pieces, biographical portraits, environmental films, or cultural explorations that bring new perspectives to real-world topics. We seek films that inform, challenge, and inspire audiences. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, providing valuable exposure, feedback, and networking opportunities for the next generation of documentary filmmakers.

We accept TV pilots and web series episodes of any genre and length, whether drama, comedy, documentary, or experimental. Projects can be pilot episodes, standalone web series entries, or proof-of-concept films. Premier status is not required, and selected works will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, providing valuable exposure and networking opportunities.

We welcome animated films of any style and technique. This category celebrates the artistry and creativity of animation, whether hand-drawn, stop-motion, CGI, rotoscope, or mixed media. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, offering a valuable platform for recognition, networking, and future opportunities.

We welcome animated short animation films, celebrating imaginative storytelling, artistic innovation, and technical excellence. This category is open to all forms of animation, including hand-drawn, stop-motion, CGI, rotoscope, and mixed media. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, offering valuable exposure and networking opportunities for emerging and established animators alike.

We welcome student-produced animated films of any length, providing a platform for emerging animators to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and storytelling abilities. This category is open to students at any level of study, encouraging fresh artistic voices and experimental approaches to animation. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors, offering valuable exposure, feedback, and networking opportunities for the next generation of animators.

We welcome music videos and performance videos that showcase creative visual storytelling, artistic expression, and dynamic performances. This category is open to a wide range of submissions, including music videos, live performance recordings, conceptual art pieces, and experimental audiovisual works. Premiere status is not required, and selected videos will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, offering valuable exposure and recognition for both filmmakers and performers.

We welcome feature-length scripts that are over 60 pages, providing a platform for screenwriters to showcase their storytelling abilities, character development, and narrative structure. This category is open to scripts of all genres, from drama and thriller to comedy, sci-fi, and beyond. Submissions may include original screenplays, adaptations, or collaborative works that demonstrate strong dialogue, compelling character arcs, and engaging plots. We seek scripts that captivate readers, evoke emotion, and have the potential for successful on-screen adaptation. Premiere status is not required, and selected scripts will be reviewed by industry professionals, filmmakers, and potential collaborators, offering valuable exposure and opportunities for recognition in the screenwriting community.

We welcome short scripts that are under 60 pages, providing a platform for screenwriters to showcase their storytelling skills, character depth, and creative vision within a concise format. This category is open to scripts of all genres, including drama, thriller, comedy, sci-fi, horror, and experimental narratives. Submissions may include original screenplays, adaptations, or proof-of-concept scripts that demonstrate strong dialogue, compelling character arcs, and engaging storytelling within a short-form structure. We seek scripts that captivate, challenge conventions, and have the potential to translate into powerful short films. Premiere status is not required, and selected scripts will be reviewed by industry professionals, filmmakers, and potential collaborators, offering valuable exposure and opportunities for recognition in the screenwriting and filmmaking community.

We welcome experimental films of any duration, celebrating bold, unconventional storytelling, artistic exploration, and innovative cinematic techniques. This category is open to filmmakers who challenge traditional narrative structures, visual styles, and filmmaking methods, pushing the boundaries of what cinema can be. Submissions may include abstract visual experiences, non-linear narratives, surrealist storytelling, avant-garde concepts, and films that explore unique forms of expression. Whether using mixed media, unconventional editing, sound design, or alternative film techniques. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, offering valuable exposure for visionary filmmakers who are redefining the art of film.

We welcome AI-generated films of any duration, celebrating the fusion of technology, creativity, and cinematic storytelling. This category is open to filmmakers who use artificial intelligence as a tool for storytelling, visual creation, editing, or other aspects of the filmmaking process. Submissions may include fully AI-generated films, hybrid projects combining AI with traditional filmmaking techniques, or experimental works exploring the possibilities of machine-assisted creativity. Whether using AI for scriptwriting, animation, deep learning visuals, voice synthesis, or procedural editing, we seek films that push the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry in this rapidly evolving medium. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, offering valuable exposure for filmmakers pioneering the future of AI-driven cinema.

We welcome films of any duration from first-time filmmakers, providing a platform for new voices and fresh perspectives in cinema. This category is open to directors making their debut film, whether in narrative storytelling, documentary, animation, experimental, or any other genre. Submissions may include short films, feature-length projects, documentaries, or artistic explorations, reflecting unique visions, creative ambition, and emerging talent. We encourage bold storytelling, innovative approaches, and films that showcase the filmmaker’s passion, creativity, and potential. Premiere status is not required, and selected films will be screened for audiences, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, offering valuable exposure and recognition for first-time directors taking their first steps into the world of filmmaking.