Any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction originating from within the United States with a running time of 45 minutes or more. In order to qualify as a U.S. Narrative Feature Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events, and at least half of the project’s financing must originate from within the United States.

Any film or video project originating from within the United States with a running time of less than 44 minutes, including credits. This includes scripted or improvisational fiction, nonfiction or documentary, experimental film or video, animation, music video, or any other short-form film or video project. In order to qualify as a U.S. Short Film, at least half of the submitted project’s financing must originate from within the United States.

Any nonfiction film originating from within the United States with a running time of 45 minutes or more. If your documentary contains re-enactments or other fictionalized depictions of actual events, you may submit it to this category, if accepted. In order to qualify as a U.S. Documentary Feature Film, at least half of the submitted project’s financing must originate from within the United States.

Any nonfiction film originating from within the United States with a running time of 44 minutes or less. If your documentary contains re-enactments or other fictionalized depictions of actual events, you may submit it to this category, if accepted. In order to qualify as a U.S. Documentary Short Film, at least half of the submitted project’s financing must originate from within the United States.

Any live-action, documentary/nonfiction, or animation project presented in or intended to be presented in a multi-episode format. This includes pilots, pilot presentations, web series, docuseries, limited series, anthologies, or any other film or video project that was created to unfold over multiple episodes. We accept both short-form and long-form content, with no restrictions regarding minimum or maximum episode or series length.

The Female Directing Award honors Female Directors in the Best Feature Film, Short Film, Episodic and Documentary Competitions.

The Directing Award honors directors in the Best Feature Film, Short Film, Episodic and Documentary Competitions.

The Spike Did It Comedy Award honors the best Stand Up Comedians for their overall body of work.  Spike Did It have been a staple Comedy Show in Hollywood, CA for over 20 years at the Hollywood Improv. At any given night you would run across comedians such as Chris Rock, Mike Epps, Kat Williams, DL Hugely, Tiffany Haddish and more. 

The Social Awareness Award honors film, episodic series and documentaries that bring awareness on social issues.

Any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction originating from outside of the United States with a running time of 45 minutes or more. In order to qualify as an International Narrative Feature Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events, and at least half of the project’s financing must originate from outside of the United States. Only films retaining international premiere status are eligible for open submission to this category.

Any live-action, documentary/nonfiction, or animation project presented in or intended to be presented in a multi-episode format internationally. This includes pilots, pilot presentations, web series, docuseries, limited series, anthologies, or any other film or video project that was created to unfold over multiple episodes. We accept both short-form and long-form content, with no restrictions regarding minimum or maximum episode or series length.

Any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction originating from outside of the United States with a running time of 44 minutes or less. In order to qualify as an International Narrative Short Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events, and at least half of the project’s financing must originate from outside of the United States. Only films retaining international premiere status are eligible for open submission to this category.

Any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction originating as a Spanish language with a running time of 45 minutes or more. In order to qualify as a U.S. Narrative Feature Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events, and at least half of the project’s financing must originate from within the United States.

Any film or video project originating as a Spanish language with a running time of less than 44 minutes, including credits. This includes scripted or improvisational fiction, nonfiction or documentary, experimental film or video, animation, music video, or any other short-form film or video project. In order to qualify as a U.S. Short Film, at least half of the submitted project’s financing must originate from within the United States.

Any narrative or non-scripted work of fiction with a running time of 45 minutes or more. In order to qualify as a Narrative Feature Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction, or a fictionalization of actual events.

Any live-action, documentary/nonfiction, or animation project presented in or intended to be presented in a multi-episode format. This includes pilots, pilot presentations, web series, docuseries, limited series, anthologies, or any other film or video project that was created to unfold over multiple episodes. We accept both short-form and long-form content, with no restrictions regarding minimum or maximum episode or series length.

Any nonfiction film or short film originating from within the United States with a running time of 12 minutes or more. If your film contains re-enactments or other fictionalized depictions of actual events, you may submit it to this category, if accepted. In order to qualify as a U.S. Documentary Feature Film, at least half of the submitted project’s financing must originate from within the United States.