SilverVox Film & Music Festival (2)

Festival start: 06 May 2027      Festival end: 09 May 2027

The SilverVox Film + Music Festival returns to Frederick, Maryland, for its second year, May 6–9, 2027!

Our first festival, held in June 2026, brought filmmakers, musicians, artists, and audiences together for four days of independent films, live music, discussions, and special events throughout historic Downtown Frederick.

The festival was a great success, receiving excellent reviews from filmmakers and local media.

2026 FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE

More than 150 films

Over 40 live music performances

12 festival venues

Films from 27 countries

Filmmaker Q&As, panels, workshops, and parties

A welcoming, walkable downtown festival

FILMS WE ARE LOOKING FOR

SilverVox welcomes films from around the world, including:

Narrative features and shorts

Documentary features and shorts

Animation and experimental films

Music documentaries, music videos, and performance films

Horror, midnight, and genre films

Student films

Films that explore new ideas and creative approaches

We welcome both new and experienced filmmakers. We value original stories, creative filmmaking, and films that encourage audiences to think, feel, and discuss.

Every submitted film is reviewed by our screening team. We work to create interesting film programs that bring filmmakers and audiences together.

MORE THAN A FILM SCREENING

SilverVox is more than a place to show your film.

We encourage filmmakers to attend screenings, meet audiences, participate in Q&As, join discussions, and connect with other artists.

Our goal is to make filmmakers feel welcome and to create opportunities for new friendships and professional connections.

Filmmaker Rick Kain, a 27-year veteran of the film and television industry, wrote:

“I have attended hundreds of film festivals ... and SilverVox Film and Music Festival rates at the top of the list.”

Filmmaker Ian Scott Pullens said:

“If you are a filmmaker selected for this fest, you are treated like royalty by the team.”

FILM AND MUSIC TOGETHER

Music is an important part of SilverVox.

The festival combines film screenings with live concerts featuring local, regional, and national musicians. Our first festival included special performances by Cults and DIIV, along with many other artists.

Music documentaries, music videos, and films about musicians are an important part of our programming.

We believe film and music can inspire each other and create new connections between artists and audiences.

A FESTIVAL THROUGHOUT THE CITY

SilverVox takes place in Frederick, Maryland, approximately one hour from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

The festival uses several venues throughout historic Downtown Frederick, including the beautiful Weinberg Center for the Arts and New Spire Arts.

Frederick offers restaurants, galleries, shops, music venues, and welcoming public spaces, all within a walkable downtown area.

Following our first festival, The Frederick News-Post published an article titled “Thank You SilverVox.”

Arts editor Lauren LaRocca wrote:

“For four days, the city felt like a carnival of delights for the arts community.”

JOIN US IN 2027!

SilverVox welcomes filmmakers from every country and background. We want to discover new voices, share great films, and bring people together through creativity.

Whether you are making your first short film or your latest feature, we invite you to submit your work and become part of SilverVox.

Submissions open October 17, 2026.

Festival dates: May 6–9, 2027.

Produced by SilverVox, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization.

SilverVox celebrates exceptional filmmaking across genres, formats, budgets, and experience levels.

Films selected for the 2027 festival may be eligible for jury and audience awards including:

Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Animated Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Music Documentary
Best Midnight Feature
Best Midnight Short
Best Maryland Feature
Best Maryland Short
Best Student Film
Audience Choice — Feature
Audience Choice — Short

THE SILVERVOX AWARD

Beginning in 2027, SilverVox may also recognize one film that particularly embodies the spirit of the festival and our belief that Creativity Connects Us — regardless of genre, format, or category.

SilverVox jury awards are selected by filmmakers, artists, educators, critics, musicians, and other creative professionals invited by the festival.

Not every award is necessarily presented each year. Awards and eligibility are determined by the final festival program.

SILVERVOX FILM + MUSIC FESTIVAL

2027 Rules & Terms

1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Films must have been completed after January 1, 2024. Films completed prior to this date are not eligible unless specifically invited by the festival for a retrospective or special screening.

Entrants must comply with all SilverVox Film + Music Festival Rules & Terms to be considered eligible for selection.

Films must be available for exhibition during the 2027 SilverVox Film + Music Festival, May 6–9, 2027, in Frederick, Maryland.

Films that have received national theatrical, broadcast, or streaming distribution prior to May 6, 2027 are not eligible for competition but may be considered for noncompetitive showcases or special screenings.

Films with ongoing or indefinite availability through commercial streaming or digital distribution platforms, including services such as Netflix, Hulu, or iTunes/Apple TV, are not eligible for juried awards. Films with limited or finite online availability, including participation in online film festivals, or independent distribution through a filmmaker's own website, may remain eligible for competition.

SilverVox does not require premiere status for festival selection.

Films previously submitted to SilverVox Film + Music Festival should not be resubmitted unless substantially revised or specifically invited by the festival.

Films containing dialogue or voiceovers must be in english or include english subtitles. english-language films are strongly encouraged to provide captions to support accessibility.

Filmmakers submitting under a Student category or student pricing must provide proof of student status at the time the film was made, upon request.

2. FILM lengthS AND CATEGORIES

Feature Films: Narrative or documentary films with a runtime of 40 minutes or longer.

Short Films: Films with a runtime under 40 minutes.

Other Categories: Animation, experimental films, music documentaries, music videos, performance films, midnight/genre films, Maryland films, student films, and other designated programming categories may have additional eligibility requirements as specified on Festhome.

SilverVox reserves the right to determine the most appropriate programming or competitive category for any submitted film, regardless of the category originally selected by the submitter.

3. SUBMISSION POLICIES AND SELECTION PROCESS

All submissions must be completed through Festhome and accompanied by the applicable submission fee unless a waiver has been authorized by the festival. Entries without payment or an approved waiver will not be considered.

Submission fees are nonrefundable, except where required by law.

If a submission screener is hosted on Vimeo, YouTube, or another password-protected platform, the submitter must provide a current, functioning password and maintain access through the conclusion of the festival.

All submitted films will be evaluated by at least three members of the SilverVox screening team. The festival reserves the right to discontinue viewing after 30 minutes or 50% of the film's runtime, whichever occurs first, if the screening team determines that the film does not meet minimum standards for consideration.

Selection decisions are made at the sole discretion of SilverVox Film + Music Festival. Submission does not guarantee selection, exhibition, or eligibility for an award.

SilverVox may consider a film for a different programming category or screening block than the one originally selected by the submitter.

Works-in-progress may be submitted if clearly identified as such. If selected, a completed exhibition version must be provided by the deadline established by festival organizers.

The festival may consider premiere status, regional relevance, production quality, originality, programming balance, and other factors when making selection decisions. However, premiere status is not a requirement.

4. ROAD TO SILVERVOX FILM SERIES

All films submitted to SilverVox may also be considered for the Road to SilverVox film series.

Road to SilverVox presents selected films throughout the year, both before and after the main festival. This program allows SilverVox to showcase additional films and filmmakers beyond the limited screening opportunities available during the four-day festival.

Films not selected for the main festival may still be considered for Road to SilverVox presentations.

All selections for the main SilverVox Film + Music Festival will be determined before films are considered for the Road to SilverVox series.

Consideration for Road to SilverVox does not guarantee a screening, and filmmakers will be contacted separately regarding any proposed exhibition outside the main festival.

If you do not wish your film to be considered for Road to SilverVox, please indicate this in your Festhome submission.

5. NOTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE

Filmmakers will be notified of acceptance or nonselection through Festhome and/or the email address provided with their submission.

Email is SilverVox's primary method of communication. Submitters must ensure they can receive messages from the silvervox.org domain and are responsible for keeping their contact information current.

Upon acceptance, the filmmaker or authorized primary contact will be required to complete a festival consent and screening agreement confirming that all necessary exhibition rights have been secured and that no outstanding legal or rights issues prevent the film's exhibition.

The consent agreement will confirm the film's participation in the 2027 SilverVox Film + Music Festival and include appropriate representations, warranties, and indemnification provisions.

Submission constitutes permission for SilverVox to screen the film during the festival if selected, subject to completion of any required acceptance documentation.

If a filmmaker wishes to withdraw an accepted film before the official public announcement of the festival lineup, they must notify SilverVox immediately in writing.

Once the official festival lineup has been publicly announced, accepted films are considered committed to screening. Withdrawal requests after that date may be declined, and the festival may proceed with the scheduled exhibition using the screening copy already provided, to the extent authorized by the applicable screening agreement and law.

SilverVox reserves the right to rescind acceptance, cancel a screening, or remove a film from the program when circumstances warrant, including rights disputes, misrepresentations, failure to provide required materials, technical problems, safety concerns, or other circumstances affecting the festival.

6. MATERIALS REQUIRED UPON ACCEPTANCE

Accepted filmmakers must provide all required materials by the deadlines established by festival organizers.

These may include:

An exhibition-quality digital screening file in the format specified by SilverVox.

An accessible online digital screener or exhibition version of the film, available through the conclusion of the festival for authorized festival and press review.

A completed Filmmaker Information Form.

Film synopsis, filmmaker biography, and production information.

High-resolution film stills and promotional artwork.

Trailer or promotional video, if available.

english subtitles and/or caption files, when applicable.

Completed screening consent and rights documentation.

Any additional materials reasonably required for festival exhibition or publicity.

Filmmakers are responsible for costs associated with preparing, transferring, or shipping exhibition and promotional materials to SilverVox.

Failure to provide required materials by the stated deadlines may result in removal from the festival program.

7. SCREENING RIGHTS AND PROMOTIONAL USE

By submitting a film, the submitter represents that they possess the authority to grant SilverVox permission to exhibit the film if selected.

The submitter grants SilverVox permission to screen the accepted film during the 2027 festival, including any scheduled festival screenings or encores covered by the festival screening agreement.

SilverVox may use the film's title, synopsis, filmmaker name, approved biography, poster, still images, trailer, and other submitted promotional materials for festival publicity, press coverage, social media, website listings, printed programs, and related promotional activities.

SilverVox is granted the nonexclusive right to use brief excerpts from accepted films for promotional purposes related to the festival.

Submission does not grant SilverVox ownership of the film or its underlying intellectual property.

Exhibition outside the main festival, including Road to SilverVox screenings, will be subject to separate filmmaker notification and screening authorization.

8. RIGHTS CLEARANCE AND INDEMNIFICATION

Submitters are responsible for securing all necessary rights, licenses, permissions, and clearances associated with their films, including but not limited to music, images, archival footage, performances, trademarks, copyrighted materials, and rights of publicity.

Submitters represent that the film does not infringe upon the rights of any third party and that no outstanding claims or restrictions prevent its authorized exhibition.

The filmmaker or authorized submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless SilverVox Film + Music Festival, its producing organization, officers, directors, employees, representatives, and agents from claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and court costs, arising from breaches of these representations or claims involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, or exhibition rights, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

The festival will exercise reasonable care in handling submitted exhibition materials but is not responsible for loss of or damage to materials except as required by applicable law or a separate written agreement.

9. awards AND COMPETITION

Films selected for the festival may be considered for any awards for which they meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

Eligibility for juried awards is subject to the distribution and availability restrictions outlined in Section 1.

SilverVox determines competitive categories, jury composition, award eligibility, and award recipients.

The festival reserves the right to withhold an award when the programming or jury process does not support presenting it.

Submission and acceptance do not guarantee nomination, recognition, or receipt of an award.

10. FESTIVAL SCREENINGS AND PARTICIPATION

SilverVox determines screening dates, times, venues, program placement, and the number of screenings.

Selected filmmakers may be invited to participate in Q&As, panel discussions, workshops, interviews, receptions, and other festival activities.

Filmmaker attendance is encouraged but is not required unless separately agreed.

The festival does not provide travel, accommodations, transportation, or other expenses unless specifically arranged in writing.

SilverVox Film + Music Festival does not pay screening fees for films submitted through Festhome.

The festival reserves the right to modify programming, schedules, venues, and associated events when circumstances require.

11. ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

By submitting a film to SilverVox Film + Music Festival, the submitter acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Rules & Terms and any additional requirements applicable to the selected submission category.

The submitter further confirms that they are authorized to enter the film and to grant the permissions described herein.

SilverVox Film + Music Festival
May 6–9, 2027
Frederick, Maryland, USA

www.silvervoxfest.com

Produced by SilverVox, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization.