Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase (1)

Festival start: 13 February 2026      Festival end: 28 February 2026

Cinematic Luxe's Indie Showcase is more than just a festival, it's a movement. In its exciting inaugural year (February '26"), we’re shining a spotlight on the most daring, beautiful, and resonant indie films from around the world. Held every couple months, this fully digital festival celebrates creators, encourages honest feedback, and prioritizes the power of community.

Submit Your Film/TV Or Web series Episode Now!

All accepted films/episodes receive:

- guaranteed digital screening in The Weekly Cinematic Spotlight, a dedicated space for all films.
- The chance for a Free professional condensed review from our partner Narrative Insights Review Co.
- Eligibility for multiple awards/merch
- Audience and/or filmmaker feedback
- social media/website promotion


Filmmaker Voting & Award Eligibility

To maintain a festival built on fairness, collaboration, and creative appreciation, every accepted filmmaker must participate in peer voting (In order to be eligible for awards.) This ensures that creators uplift creators, emerging voices get heard, and no film is overlooked.

Voting Requirements for Filmmakers:

Every accepted filmmaker must vote on at least 2 films during the voting window but may vote on 10 different films to support fellow creators.
Directors MUST vote outside their own category.
Directors may NOT vote for themselves or anyone in their personal cast, crew, or production team.
Voting is required to remain eligible for ALL awards (except Audience Choice, which is open to the public).


(All Filmmakers have the right to vote on any category they so choose as long as it's not the one they're submitted for)


Voting Deadline:

All votes must be submitted before the final week of the festival (we'll email you several different times to remind you), no exceptions.

This ensures:
Filmmakers watch peers' films
Voting happens close to final curation decisions
All scoring stays fresh, relevant, and fair


At Cinematic Luxe, we believe community is currency creators uplifting creators, learning from one another, and keeping independent cinema alive with authenticity, collaboration, and respect.

Submissions open year-round. Each season features new films, new voices, and a fresh wave of creativity.


Please note that, in order to maintain the highest level of quality and exclusivity, only the top 20 films in each category will be selected for the main festival. This ensures that every chosen film receives the attention it deserves and is showcased alongside the most exceptional works in indie cinema. Each main showcase is only viewable during the festival window after that; it is removed from public access.


HOWEVER

Even if your film doesn’t land in the main festival’s Top 20, EVERY ACCEPTED FILM (Beginning the same week our main festival's final submission deadline opens) gets featured, in our weekly spotlight showcase. This rotating gallery, categorized by genres keeps your film alive and discoverable week after week.


Why This Exists?
Because Cinematic Luxe values fairness, transparency, and opportunity, the Weekly Spotlight ensures:

Every accepted filmmaker gets screen time
No film is overlooked, even if it doesn't make the Top 20
Underrepresented voices still reach viewers, not bots
The festival stays alive between seasons, building hype and community

This is not a “consolation event.”
It is a creative runway, and many filmmakers can use it to build real momentum.


Here, every film matters.
Here, every filmmaker is seen.
Here, your work has a genuine shot at impact.

Questions?
Visit cinematicluxefestival.info

Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase WinterFest 26' Schedule

Festival Dates: February 13th – February 27th, 2026
(All screenings available on-demand via link or website screening hub during their release window.)

FEB 13 — Student Films
FEB 14 — Animated Shorts + Documentary
FEB 15 — Shorts + International Films
FEB 16 — Feature Films
FEB 17 — Student Films + Weekly Cinematic Spotlight Wildcard Round 1
FEB 18 — Shorts + Documentary
FEB 19 — Animated Shorts + International Films
FEB 20 — Weekly Cinematic Spotlight Wildcard Round 2
FEB 21 — Feature Films
FEB 22 — Student Films + Spotlight Wildcard Finale (Winner Announced)
FEB 23 — Shorts + Animated Shorts
FEB 24 — Documentary + International Films .

FEB 25 — GLOBAL VOTING DAY
All Categories screened for Final Votes
Only the Audience Choice Award voting remains open after this day.
Judges finalize all other award categories based on combined scoring.

FEB 26 — Winners Showcase (All Jury-Selected Winners)
Every jury-selected award-winning film is screened.
Categories recognized today:

Best Short
Best Feature
Best Documentary
Best International
Best Animated Short
Best Student
Cinematic Vision Award (judges only)

FEB 27 — The People’s Showcase
The Audience Choice Award Winner is officially crowned as the festival ends with one final, electrifying showcase of all the audience’s top-voted films.

The festival closes with a community message celebrating global indie filmmaking.


(Check out the prizes you can win in the photo section)

PRIZE STRUCTURE (Per Seasonal Winner)
Each category winner (excluding Cinematic Vision and Audience Choice Award winners) receives the following:

Category Winner Prize Pack

Cinematic Luxe Winner’s Wall Poster Laurel
Mini-interview blog post (you can use for your Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok &/or Website)
Automatically qualify for a chance to be featured in the Finale Showcase (Not included for Best Actor/Actress/Director)
Merchandise Cinematic Luxe and Narrative Insights T-shirts/Keychains/Indie Style Movie Posters and More!

AND

Narrative Insights Review Pack

Each seasonal winner receives:
A deep dive professional critique from Narrative Insights valued at $75+
Includes:

1-10 scorecard
2 Cinematic Luxe judges feedback report
1 Detailed audience feedback report
“We don’t just say great job; we help you grow.” – Narrative Insights Review Co.


(All prizes not included for every winner will have various options to choose from)


Cinematic Luxe Rising Star Feature (For winning Best Director OR both Cinematic Vision + Audience Choice Awards Only)

Exclusive In-Depth Director Interview (video, audio or text depending on the director) published on the Cinematic Luxe Festival and/or Director's website
30-Second Spotlight Film Promo Featured Across Social Media
Exclusive Collectible Poster of Their Winning Film

Audience Choice Winner Prize Pack

Exclusive “Audience Choice Winner” wall poster Includes: your audience vote percentage (e.g., “85% Score – Winter Fest ‘26”)
Narrative Insights Special Add-On
A tailored audience feedback report from Narrative Insights Review Co
An exclusive Cinematic Luxe T-shirt
If won with any other category automatically qualifies for a spot in the Finale Showcase

Questions?
Visit cinematicluxefestival.info

LEGAL AGREEMENT

By submitting your film to Cinematic Luxe Indie Showcase & Weekly Cinematic Spotlight ("The Festivals"), you agree to the following Terms & Conditions, Submission Requirements, and Legal Provisions. This agreement is binding between the entrant ("Filmmaker") and Cinematic Luxe Media LLC ("The Festival Host").

Failure to comply with any portion of these terms may result in immediate disqualification without refund.


SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All filmmakers must adhere to the following:

Film Length & Format: Short/Student/Animated

Films/TV/Web series Episodes: under 30 minutes

Features: 40 to 90 minutes Documentaries: under 40 minutes File format must be digital (MP4 or MOV) and submitted via Festhome

Language & Subtitles on-English dialogue films must include burned-in English subtitles Poor or missing subtitles may result in rejection


Ownership

Filmmaker must own or have secured all rights to visuals, music, sound, and story elements No unlicensed music or copyrighted clips may be used without proper clearance (Director, Producer, Studio will be held accountable in a court of law and/or banned for life from the festival for violations)

Completion Date We accept all films no matter the release date No "works in progress" or unfinished submissions


Voting Requirement

All filmmakers must vote on at least 2 other films (1 Feature and 1 Short) during that season's festival cycle to be eligible for awards.

Failure to vote will result in disqualification from the seasonal event.


Submission Fee & Audience Pass

The submission fee/audience pass is non-refundable, regardless of acceptance status

Fee/pass includes one entry, and full festival access (violators will be banned permanently from festival)


Content Standards

Films promoting hate speech, gratuitous violence, or unlawful content will be rejected

Nudity and mature themes are accepted only when contextually and artistically justified (Cinematic Luxe panel of judges make the final call)


Multiple Submissions

Multiple entries are permitted in separate categories; each must be submitted and paid for separately


GLOBAL & ONLINE FORMAT DISCLAIMER

Cinematic Luxe is a fully online, international film festival. By submitting, you acknowledge and agree that:

Your film will be streamed digitally to a global audience on our password protected platform during its scheduled season

Audience members, filmmakers, and critics from around the world will be able to view and vote during this time

Streaming is time-limited (typically 14 days) and does not affect premiere status

You grant Cinematic Luxe non-exclusive, limited-time screening rights for the purposes of the festival and promotion

You retain full rights and ownership of your film at all times


DISQUALIFICATION CLAUSES

Your film may be automatically rejected or disqualified if:

Submission is incomplete or contains broken/unviewable links

Film lacks English subtitles where required
Submission contains unlicensed or pirated materials

Voting requirements are not fulfilled by the deadline

You attempt to vote for your own film or manipulate the voting process

Submission contains hate speech, plagiarized content, or false credits


LEGAL PROTECTIONS & LIABILITY

Rights & Licensing

By submitting, you affirm you own or control all legal rights to your film

You indemnify and hold harmless Cinematic Luxe, its staff, affiliates, and partners from any legal claims regarding copyright, trademark, privacy, or distribution violations


Publicity Usage

You grant Cinematic Luxe the right to use your film’s name, director/producer(s), actors, actresses, synopsis, stills, and trailer (if provided) for marketing and promotional purposes


Streaming and Exposure

Cinematic Luxe is not liable for any unauthorized copying or piracy that may occur via third-party software or screen recording; we use streaming security, but submission acknowledges this risk inherent to online exhibitions


Changes & Cancellations

The Festival reserves the right to modify screening dates, categories, awards, or programming as needed
No refunds will be issued for scheduling changes, non-selection, or disqualification based on these terms

For questions or clarification about these terms, email:
cinematicluxe@gmail.com