FILM FESTIVAL

​The Hollywood Storytellers Film Festival is an all-inclusive, international media contest focused on giving remarkable filmmakers from all backgrounds the recognition they deserve.

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Our festival and awards focus on bringing value to all filmmakers, making it our mission to assist in necessary areas to reward their current projects, make their next ones a reality, and help move them closer to their careers goals.

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Our team believes in the power of perspective. It is essential in enriching the culture of our industry and bringing a more inclusive experience to mainstream genres and mediums. Filmmakers of color, female-identifying filmmakers, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, disabled filmmakers, filmmakers over the age of 50, and other relevant voices that have been historically underrepresented will be heard and encouraged to apply.

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​We look forward to supporting our community of talented, independent filmmakers.

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Entries are now open…Submit on FilmFreeway Stage 32 or FestHome today!

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*If you are interested in submitting to our festival but are experiencing economic hardship, please get in touch with us.

 

​WHY SUBMIT:

The Hollywood Storytellers Film Festival is judged by a diverse team of active industry professionals including award-winning filmmakers, producers, directors, actors, film and television writers, casting director associates, music recording artists, development executives, and investors. Members of our esteemed jury include executives  previously and presently associated with: NBC UNIVERSAL, PEACOCK TV, SONY, VILLAGE ROADSHOW PICTURES, DISNEY, TOUCHSTONE FILMS, WARNER BROS. STUDIOS, ROADMAP WRITERS, and more.

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Our festival aims to attract top independent filmmakers from around the world. We offer a high-quality, highly anticipated event experience with welcoming communication and hospitality from submission entry to the fest's end. If we accept your project into our festival, you will enjoy (3) complimentary all-day event badges, a carefully curated screening of outstanding official selections, awards consideration, and sponsored grand prizes for our winners.

 

We are seeking cinematic projects in all live-action and animated genres. Full-Length Features, Shorts, TV Pilots (Short-form, Half-Hour, One-Hour), Documentaries, Music Videos, Experimental Videos, and Proof-of-Concept Teaser Trailers.

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​*Unique & diverse voices are encouraged

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*We do not encourage submissions that involve excessive harm or abuse to animals

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BENEFITS OF SUBMITTING:

-Your project screened at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA.
-You will become part of an inclusive community that champions independent filmmakers and writers on a supportive and resourceful platform.
-Your project will be evaluated by a diverse team of active entertainment industry professionals known for cultivating high-quality, competitive programming.
-Affordable submission prices with discounts for FilmFreeway Gold Members, Constructive Executive Feedback, Revised Submission Consideration, and Economic Hardship Waivers.
-Finalist, Official Selection, and Winner Laurels.
-Award Certificates.
-Sponsored grand prize packages and opportunities to further your current and future filmmaking goals.
-Your project showcased on social and sent exclusively to our network of industry contacts for consideration in the following areas: Representation, Development, Production, and more.

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AWARDS  & PRIZES:

Placements are given in the following categories:

-Honorable Mentions
-Quarterfinalists
-Semifinalists
-Finalists
-Official Selections
-Award Certificate Winners
-Grand Prize Package Winners

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All submissions that place in the finals, but do not advance as official selections to screen at our in-person event, will have the option to stream their project "out of competition" on our online platform.

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​Digital award laurels will be sent to all placement finalists and official selections.

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​Official selections will be sent (3) complimentary passes to our IMDb qualifying event at the TCL Chinese Theatres on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA.

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​Digital award certificates for outstanding above-the-line and below-the-line talent are chosen by our jury and will be sent after the screening event.

 

These certificates are voted on and awarded to "The Best" in:

Writing. Casting. Performance by a lead/supporting female actor, male actor, and non-binary actor. Performance by an ensemble. Directing. Cinematography. SFX/VFX. Sound Design. Production Design. Costume Design. Makeup & Hairstyling. Lighting. Editing. Coloring. Music Scoring. Foreign Film. Domestic Film. Local Film. Inclusion Film (cinematic stories representing diversity and equality for all). Impact Film (cinematic stories representing environmental, social, political, and cultural change). Genre Film (Drama, Comedy, Horror/Supernatural, Thriller/Suspense, Action/Adventure, Family, Holiday/Romance, Mystery/Crime, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical/Biopic, Western/Period, Animation) and more!

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​Our festival's Grand Prize Winners will be selected from the following (6) categories for the "Best Cinematic" achievement in a:

Feature Film. Short Film. Feature Documentary. Short Documentary. TV Pilot. Other (Music Video, Experimental, or Teaser Trailer).​

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Grand Prize Winners will receive both tangible resources and educational opportunities provided by our sponsors to be of beneficial value to the winning filmmakers. These prize packages are designed to assist the filmmaker's next project from development to post-production. Sponsored prize packages are (TBA).

 

Visit our GET INVOLVED PAGE to see our growing list of sponsors or to become a sponsor.

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*The Hollywood Storytellers Film Festival is not responsible for how the grand prizes are distributed amongst the winning project's team.

 

ACCEPTED CATEGORIES:

Cinematic live-action or animated projects in all genres.

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Narrative Feature Film (40-120 min) live-action or animated

Narrative Short Film (1-39 min) live-action or animated

Feature Documentary (1-120 min)

Short Documentary (1-39 min)

TV Pilot/First Episode Digital Series (short-form, half-hour, one-hour)

Other: Music Video, Experimental Video, Movie Trailer (1-15 min)

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*Please leave a note in your submission if you are a local Los Angeles filmmaker and can attend the event with your team

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*Only completed projects will be selected. If a project is incomplete, you are welcome to submit a cinematic trailer under our "Other" category.

FOR FESTIVAL RULES & TERMS VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE.

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