“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.
Human‑Run. Built for Creators & Story Lovers. 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. It’s where your work gets seen, your voice gets heard, and your creative community grows.
What Sets Us Apart
We don’t do safe. We do seismic.
Human Eyes on Your Work No bots. No filters. Real industry pros watch your content and decide if it hits.
Recognition That Actually Means Something Our stages have hosted Nobel Laureates, Oscar winners, Emmy legends, viral creators, and teen prodigies. If your work has heat, it gets noticed.
Your IP Stays Yours 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, collaborations spark, and creators find their people.
Innovation Is Our DNA We were first to program AI films, holographic comics, immersive formats, and blockchain storytelling — before the industry even knew what they were.
Submit. Show up. Connect. Your story deserves a space where creators and audiences engage, talk, share, and build relationships that last long after the festival ends.
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 stay with audiences.
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 stay. Moments that move. This is your spotlight.
“Top six festivals for content creators” — Backstage Magazine
“Five Stars.” — FilmFreeway, Global Awards & Google
Awards
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Grand Prize Meetings with HBO or Marvel • Studio time in Los Angeles or Casting Services • Production services from Mongo Media Solutions • Hand‑painted wood film slate • Filmustage
Category Winners Hand‑painted wood film slate • Filmustage
Top 3 Scripts Services from Script Reader Pro • Scriptwriters Network • Filmustage
Valid 1 year from win. Non-transferable. Designed to elevate your work and expand your reach.
Legit
- IMDb Official Event
- Exposure beyond the festival circuit
- Press platform: 20M+ social reach & 80K+ newsletter subscribers
- Best Festival (2021–2026)
- Global & Innovation Awards
- Judges from Marvel, HBO, PBS, Rolling Stone & BBC
Backed by the industry.
Perks
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Red carpet experience
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Q&As & networking
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Visibility: press & social media
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Distribution perks: guest discount codes & platform opportunities
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Ongoing connections — nominees often receive opportunities long after the festival
Designed to elevate your work and expand your reach.
Classic & Tech Festival Categories A – Z
Viewing formats and interactive experiences vary by title.
30 Animation & Artwork 2D, 3D, stop‑motion, CGI, all art.
AR / MR / AI / Tech Augmented, mixed reality, AI stories, emerging tech.
Children & Family Kids, Gen Alpha, family‑friendly.
Creator Economy 🆕 Influencers, streamers, educators.
Digital Comics eComics & interactive comics.
Documentary & Social Impact Real stories
Drone & Mobile Media Drone shots, phone‑made content.
Feature Films & Shorts-under 30 Any genre, any format.
Gaming & Metaverse Gameplay, immersive worlds.
Microdrama ultra‑short dramas.
Music & Music Videos Songs & visual music stories.
New Media & NFTs (many 1sts in this category)
Pitching Send your pitch. Get real industry replies.
Podcasts Audio or video — any platform.
Scripts Shorts, features, animation, plays, books, web series, reality.
Scripts PLUS Feedback Submit your script + 1 page pro notes.
STEAM Science, Tech, Engineering, Art & Math stories.
Student Work Made while a student.
Trailers Sneak peeks judged by a trailer expert.
TV & Pilots Full shows or standalone episodes.
Vertical Format 🆕 Mobile‑first, portrait storytelling.
Virtual Reality / 360 Immersive, interactive experiences.
Web Series Scripted or unscripted episodes all genres.
DEADLINES:
Regular – December 6, 2026, $80
Regular – February 6, 2027, $85
Final – April 6, 2027, $95
Notification by April 15, 2027
Schedule locks May 1 2027
2027 Festival Dates June 2 online -June 3 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.
What is the New Media Film Festival®?
New Media Film Festival® is a pioneering, award‑winning global festival in Los Angeles that has honored stories worth telling — in every format, on every platform — since 2009. We celebrate both classic storytelling (film, TV, scripts, music, animation, documentaries) and breakthrough technology (AI, VR, AR, Web3, NFTs, mobile media, digital comics, immersive formats).
We were the first festival to program AI‑generated films, holographic comics, touch‑rotation stories, immersive VR/360, mobile‑first vertical content, blockchain storytelling, NFT categories, micro‑content distribution, and collaborative V‑screening — while continuing to champion traditional creators and timeless narrative craft.
Our stages have welcomed Nobel Laureates, Oscar® winners, Emmy® legends, Grammy® icons, breakout creators, and global innovators. Judges come from Marvel, HBO, BBC, PBS, the Emmys, the Grammys, BMI, Simon & Schuster, and other major entertainment and technology leaders — ensuring every submission is seen by people shaping the future of storytelling.
Real. Iconic. Connected. Where story meets technology and the future unfolds.
No politics. No pay‑to‑play. Just creators first.
What makes the New Media Film Festival® different from other festivals?
The festival is known for its innovation‑first approach, its embrace of new technologies, and its ability to identify groundbreaking creators before they hit the mainstream. It has featured Oscar®, Grammy®, and Emmy® winners, as well as legendary industry figures who have shaped the future of entertainment. Its inclusive, supportive environment and global reach make it a central hub for creators, technologists, and visionaries from around the world.
Who are the judges?
Our judging panel includes industry icons, studio executives, Emmy® and Oscar® winners, tech innovators, and leaders from major entertainment companies. Judges have come from Marvel, HBO, BBC, PBS, the Emmys, BMI, Simon & Schuster, and more.
Some judges choose to remain private to prevent unsolicited contact, while others are listed in the category descriptions.
What legends and notable figures have been involved with the festival?
Since its founding, the New Media Film Festival® has welcomed more than 300 industry leaders who have helped shape the future of media.
Among the 300+ remarkable voices who’ve taken our stage, here is a small snapshot:
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Jeff Bridges – Academy Award–winning actor and producer
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Roger Corman – Iconic filmmaker and producer
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Ray Bradbury – Legendary author and visionary
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John Savage – Acclaimed actor
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Barry C. Barish – Nobel Laureate
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Don McLean – Legendary songwriter
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Chip Taylor – Renowned songwriter (Wild Thing, Just Call Me Angel of the Morning)
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Duncan Rouleau – Co‑creator of Ben 10, writer of Big Hero 6
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Nagin Cox – NASA/JPL engineer
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Ted Schilowitz – Futurist (RED Digital Cinema, 20th Century Fox)
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Brian Dunphy – Senior VP, Qualcomm
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Craig James – Founder, International Screenwriters Association
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Ben Parr – Co‑Editor, Mashable
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David C. Fein – Technologist & producer (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
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Michael D. Ratner – Founder & CEO, OBB Pictures
The festival has also hosted executives and innovators from Unity Technologies, Motorola, Panasonic, Nielsen, GoDigital, Flingo.tv, and many more. Their involvement underscores the festival’s long‑standing role as a central hub for new media thought leadership.
Do you offer feedback or mentorship?
Yes. Scripts PLUS, which provides one‑page industry notes. Pitch submissions receive replies from real professionals, and some creators have even secured meetings with executives.
We also offer hands‑on mentorship opportunities for those seeking practical experience. In some cases, participants have been hired or placed through the program. For details, please reach out directly. www.newmediafilmfestival.com/contact
Trailblazing Since Day One
Pioneering the Future of Storytelling Since 2009
Innovation isn’t a trend at New Media Film Festival® — it’s our DNA.
Since 2009, we’ve led the industry by championing breakthrough technologies and storytelling formats long before they hit the mainstream.
1st Ever to Program
AI‑Generated Film • Touch Rotation Stories • Holographic Digital Comics • Immersive Distribution • Micro‑Content • AI Platform‑Built Romcom • AR International Art Exhibit • Collaborative V‑Screening
Tech Meets Talent
First Festival in Story & Technology • EMMYS® Consulting & Broadcasting • Live VR Pitch Funding • Feature Film from a 30‑Second Pitch
Ahead of the Curve
Bitcoin Payment Integration • NFT Categories • And more — from AI to XR, we continue to lead.
Awards We’ve Won
Media Innovator Awards • LUX Global Excellence Awards • Best Celebration of Emergent Media Content (USA) • Best Annual Media & Technology Event (California) • Best Celebration of Emerging Cinematic Talent (USA)
New Media Film Festival® — where the future of storytelling unfolds.
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