
Submit Films
Over the past 29 years, NFF has helped give life to thousands of stories … and story matters more than ever right now. As our world and community work to make sense of, rebuild, and transform how we create and express ourselves. NFF is committed to giving filmmakers, writers, and storytellers an avenue to showcase their work and help them transform this incredibly difficult experience into beauty and meaning.
2023 Deadlines and Fees
DEADLINE
Early Deadline: November 9
Regular Deadline: January 11
Final Deadline: February 15
Extended Deadline: March 7
Features: Narrative, Documentary, and Animated
$30
$50
$75
$90
Shorts: Narrative, Documentary, and Animated
$20
$40
$65
$80
Film Submission Rules and FAQs
We no longer accept DVD submissions. All film submissions must provide either a Vimeo link (preferred) or upload a FFW Secure Online Screener as part of their submission via Film Freeway. If you have any questions, please e-mail submissions@nantucketfilmfestival.org.
Film submissions should be uploaded or link sent via e-mail by the stated deadlines and be accompanied by the corresponding fee.
We accept both domestic and international features and shorts (narratives, documentaries, animated works) from every genre and budget, always selected with an eye towards storytelling.
We strongly encourage film submissions to provide a Vimeo link to their work. Films may also be submitted as a FFW Online Secure Screener.
Films’ exhibition format should be DCP. We do NOT screen films on DVD or Blu-ray.
Works must be available for exhibition on DCP;
Films must have a composite optical sound;
Entries must be post-marked by the deadline date;
Films must be in English or include English subtitles;
Films must be completed after March 1, 2022;
NFF will only consider previously submitted films if the new version has changed significantly. Do not send the same cut—the film should be a distinct reworking of the previously submitted version. If you are in doubt, it probably hasn’t changed enough;
Feature films may not have been released theatrically, appeared online, or aired on television in the U.S. prior to the festival;
Short films may not have been released theatrically or on television in the U.S. prior to the festival. If the film has screened online, the filmmaker is required to include this information in the film’s submission materials.
For issues related to Film Freeway’s website, please contact their webmaster directly.
Yes, you may submit a work-in-progress for programming consideration as long as the film will be completed by June 1, 2023. If you are submitting a work-in-progress, your screener must be clearly marked as a work-in-progress or rough cut. It’s also a good idea to include an initial card on your screener with concise bullet points indicating what is not complete (ie, no color correction, temp sound mix, etc).
No, only one cut of a film may be considered—replacement cuts are not accepted—so please keep this in mind when deciding when to submit. The only way we can accept a new revised version of your film is if you re-submit it using a new entry form and pay the corresponding entry fee.
You can submit as many films as you want as long as each of them is accompanied by its respective entry form and fee.
Yes, as long as the film is in English or includes English subtitles.
You can pay the submission fee with a money order in U.S. dollars payable to the Nantucket Film Festival.
Films must be 40 minutes or shorter to be considered a short film. Films of 41 minutes or more are considered feature-length.
The Festival does not send email confirmations for submissions made through www.filmfreeway.com. Film Freeway handles all email confirmations processed through their site. You can verify the status of your submission by checking the Film Freeway website. If you submitted your film by email rather than via FFW and have not received a confirmation, please send us a note inquiring about it at submissions@nantucketfilmfestival.org.
We receive between 600-800 submissions per year.
Notifications will be sent by early May by e-mail only.
We will need almost immediately your film’s press kit materials which include at least some production stills, a short synopsis, and filmmaker bios.
For additional questions regarding submission and other general inquiries, please e-mail submissions@nantucketfilmfestival.org.