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The Experimental Film Fest (6)

Deadlines

01 Oct 2024
Call for entries

01 Nov 2024
Early deadline

01 Feb 2025
Standard deadline

01 Jun 2025
Late deadline

01 Aug 2025
Festival closed

15 Aug 2025
Notification date

20 Sep 2025
20 Sep 2025

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: 6)

Festival start: 20 September 2025 Festival end: 20 September 2025

The Experimental Film Fest 2025

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 is meant to encourage young filmmakers to participate in film festivals and to bring new talent to the screen for audiences.

Prizes and qualifications

Cash Prizes: 550$

The awards carry the following prizes:

Festival Winner - $150
Critic's Choice - $100
Audience Favorite - $100
Best Student Film - $100
Best Animation - $100

2025 FESTIVAL DATE IS TBA

TBA

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

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***

Animation

Short Films 15'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 23%

Early 18$ 16.56$ 13.86$ 01 Nov 24

Standard 22$ 20.24$ 16.94$ 01 Feb 25

Late 25$ 23$ 19.25$ 01 Jun 25

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 23.1$ 01 Aug 25

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

Submissions deadline
01 Aug 25

Save up
5.06$

Submit

Animation includes standard animation works, stop motion, photographic works, and hand-created works such as paintings, drawings, sketches, and similar works. 15 minutes and under.

Student Films

Short Films 15'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 23%

Early 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Nov 24

Standard 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Feb 25

Late 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Jun 25

Extended 10$ 9.2$ 7.7$ 01 Aug 25

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

Submissions deadline
01 Aug 25

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 Nov 24

Standard 22$ 20.24$ 16.94$ 01 Feb 25

Late 25$ 23$ 19.25$ 01 Jun 25

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 23.1$ 01 Aug 25

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

Submissions deadline
01 Aug 25

Save up
5.06$

Submit

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

AI Films

Short Films 15'<

Fee

-8%

PRO 23%

Early 18$ 16.56$ 13.86$ 01 Nov 24

Standard 22$ 20.24$ 16.94$ 01 Feb 25

Late 25$ 23$ 19.25$ 01 Jun 25

Extended 30$ 27.6$ 23.1$ 01 Aug 25

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

Submissions deadline
01 Aug 25

Save up
5.06$

Submit

15-minute time limit. AI-generated or AI-written or AI-assisted. Any film AI-related qualifies in this section.

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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