“With industry-leading judges & a long history of featuring groundbreaking new content, the New Media Film Festival’s call for entries is one that every creator should be answering.” – Film Daily
Why Submit
Because the future doesn’t wait — and neither should you.
New Media Film Festival® isn’t just a laurel opportunity. It’s a launchpad for creators who break molds, remix formats, and tell stories that shift culture.
What Sets Us Apart
We don’t do safe. We do seismic.
- Human Eyes on Your Work No bots. No filters. Just real industry pros watching your content and deciding if it hits hard.
- Recognition That Actually Means Something Our stages have hosted Nobel Laureates, Oscar winners, Emmy legends, viral creators, and teen prodigies. If your work’s got heat, it gets noticed.
- Your IP Stays Yours We don’t play ownership games. You made it. You keep it. Period.
- Access That Isn’t Just a Buzzword This isn’t a panel selfie moment. It’s where deals get made, scripts get optioned, and creators find their tribe.
- Innovation Is Our DNA We were first to program AI films, holographic comics, immersive formats, and blockchain storytelling — before anyone else even knew what they were.
Submit. Show up. Shake the room.
We Accept It All
From vertical to big screen — if it’s story, it’s welcome.
Whether you shot it on a phone or built it in a lab, if it moves people, we’re in. We champion creators who dream big, dive deep, and dare to tell stories that stick.
- All genres. All formats. All creators.
- Online, distributed, experimental, or classic — we see it all.
- Novice to GOAT level.
We honor stories worth telling — whether they come from a dorm room or a Dolby studio.
Stories that stick. Moments that move. This is your spotlight.
“Top six festivals for content creators” — Backstage Magazine
“Five Stars.” — FilmFreeway, Global Awards & Google
Awards
ae
Grand Prize – Meetings with HBO or Marvel – Studio time in Los Angeles – Production services from Mongo Media Solutions – Filmustage subscription ($1,000 value)
Category Winners – Hand-painted wood film slate – Filmustage subscription ($1,000 value)
Top 3 Scripts – Services from Script Reader Pro & Scriptwriters Network – Filmustage subscription ($1,000 value)
All awards valid for 1 year from festival date. Non-transferable.
Legit
– IMDb Official Event
– UFFO Code of Practices – followed
– Exposure beyond the festival circuit
– Press platform provided – 20M+ social reach & 80K+ newsletter subscribers
– Best Festival (2021–2025)
– Global & Innovation Awards – Judging panel
– Marvel, HBO, PBS, Rolling Stone & BBC
Built to elevate creators. Backed by the industry.
Perks
– Red carpet experience
– Q&As & networking
– Visibility – press, social media
– Distribution perks – guest discount codes & platform opportunities
– Ongoing connections – many nominees are introduced to opportunities even after the festival
Non-transferable. Designed to elevate your work and expand your reach.
Festival Categories A – Z
Viewing formats and interactive experiences vary by title.
Animation & Artwork – Traditional, 2D/3D, stop motion, CGI, digital & traditional art
AR / MR / AI / TECH– Augmented, Mixed Reality – AI-powered storytelling (first festival to screen AI content) and all other tech not in categories below.
Children & Family – Gen Alpha stories, faith-based & family-friendly content
Creator Economy 🆕 – Content from influencers, educators, streamers & digital entrepreneurs
Digital Comics – eComics & interactive formats
Documentary & Social Impact – Real-life stories, journalism, PSAs & socially responsible media
Drone & Mobile Media – UAV footage, phone/tablet-created content
Feature Films & Shorts – Over or under 30 minutes, all genres & formats
Gaming & Metaverse – Gameplay, immersive worlds & virtual social spaces
Music & Music Videos – Audio tracks (.mp3) & visual storytelling
Music Curation for Media – Need the perfect Soundtrack? Curate, sync & score with Emmy-winner David Leon — a bespoke service that takes the stress out of finding the right track. Share your project brief, and whe’ll handpick options from top‑tier providers, guide you through collaborative listening sessions, and refine selections to fit your vision. Your fee covers creative curation, while sync licenses are handled directly with providers and no cost licenses are offered. This isn’t playlist‑making — it’s precision storytelling through sound, ensuring every beat elevates your project.
New Media & NFTs – Groundbreaking formats & blockchain-based content (First festival to accept NFTs)
Pitching – Every pitch is sent to at least two industry professionals, and you’ll always get a reply. Past submissions have led to meetings with execs from BBC, Warner, Qualcomm, and more — proof that this process opens real doors.
Podcasts – Audio or video podcasts distributed via apps or platforms
Scripts –All formats: shorts, features, animation, plays, books, web series, reality TV
Scripts PLUS One-Page Feedback – script category and one-page industry feedback
STEAM – Content highlighting Science, Tech, Engineering, Art & Math
Student Work – Emerging creators showcasing fresh, innovative projects
Trailers – Sneak peeks judged by a journalist specializing in trailer reviews
TV & Pilots – Full shows or standalone episodes for network/distributor consideration
Vertical Format 🆕 – Mobile-first, portrait-style storytelling for TikTok, Reels & Shorts
Virtual Reality / 360 – Immersive, interactive storytelling experiences
Web Series – Scripted or unscripted episodes released online
DEADLINES:
Final – April 6, 2026, $95
Notification by April 15, 2026
Schedule locks May 1 2026
2026 Festival Dates June 3 online -June 4 at The Culver Theater, Los Angeles different content & creators each day.
Stories that exemplify the power of the cinematic arts to inspire and transform.
Festival worth the entry fee.
Makes the cutting edge accessible.
Trailblazing Since Day One
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Pioneering the Future of Storytelling Since 2009
At New Media Film Festival®, innovation isn’t a buzzword—it’s our DNA. Since our founding in 2009, we’ve consistently shattered boundaries and redefined what a film festival can be. We were the first to embrace and program groundbreaking technologies and storytelling formats that others only dreamed of.
First-Ever Festival to Program:
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AI-Generated Film – Showcasing the creative potential of artificial intelligence in cinema.
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Touch Rotation – Interactive storytelling that responds to physical movement.
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Holographic Digital Comic – A futuristic blend of comic art and holography.
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Immersive Distribution Experiences – Pushing the limits of how stories reach audiences.
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Micro Content Distribution – Celebrating bite-sized brilliance in storytelling.
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AI Platform-Built Romcom – A love story crafted by algorithms and heart.
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AR International Art Exhibit – Augmented reality meets global artistic expression.
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Collaborative V Screening – A new frontier in participatory viewing.
Tech Meets Talent
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First Festival in Story & Technology – Where narrative innovation meets cutting-edge tech.
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EMMYS® Consulting & Broadcasting – Trusted by the best in the industry.
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Live VR Pitch Funding – A panelist funded an audience member’s VR pitch in real time.
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Feature Film Funded from a 30-Second Pitch – Proof that big ideas don’t need big time.
Ahead of the Curve
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Bitcoin Payment Integration – Embracing decentralized finance for creative commerce.
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NFT Categories – Recognizing digital ownership and blockchain-based storytelling.
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And So Much More – From AI to XR, we continue to lead the charge into the future.
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Current Awards New Media Film Festival® has won:
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Media Innovator Awards
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LUX Global Excellence Awards
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Best Celebration of Emergent Media Content – USA
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Best Annual Media and Technology Event – California
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Best Celebration of Emerging Cinematic Talent – USA
Let’s connect
Fill in our form to contact us for anything related to New Media Film Festival®. A human will respond soon, usually the same day.
Venue:
Los Angeles studio zone, California USA