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Submit to the Festival

Introduction to the film festival

Located on the Mississippi River and ranked in 2022 as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Submission Fee by MovieMaker Magazine for the 6th year in a row, JDIFF is known for acknowledging emerging filmmakers from around the World and is committed to bringing world-class entertainment to the heart of the midwest. JDIFF is also know for it's networking opportunities, best communication, quaint locations, great programming, friendly staff & volunteers, inquisitive audience, multiple screening opportunities, workshops, panels, amazing events and parties and so much more! JDIFF is ALL about the independent filmmaker and is truly geared for the best experience. Dubuque, Iowa is a perfect place to host the festival and as quoted in Filmmaker Magazine "The festival is smartly situated downtown, with an assortment of handsome venues all within walking distance.." from the festival headquarters, located in the grand Hotel Julien, the same hotel where Al Capone used to hide out from the Chicago Feds. The Majority of events and venues are located on Main Street, allowing Filmmakers, Attendees and Special Guests to attend numerous screenings and events all within walking distance. We offer opportunities for radio, print and social media promotion, full shuttle service, free housing through our Homestay Program and much more. We take care of our filmmakers and guests.

Awards

JDIFF offers cash prizes for the following categories: $4,000 for Best Documentary $4,000 for Best Narrative Feature $1,000 for Best Short (3 - 20 min in length) $1,000 for Best Short (20 - 49 min in length) $500.00 for Best Student Film

Rules

Genre ：Action Comedy War Science fiction Ethics Terror Thriller Violence Adventure Crime Family Music Love Magic Fantasy Shootout Suspense Youth Inspirational Biography Western Drama Documentary
Subject ：Children Humanistic Animals Food Women Education City Campus Sports Old man Environment Home Political Workplace Special people
Video Format ：MPEG4 DCP MPEG
1). All decisions of programmers and jurors are final. All entries will be reviewed and given equal consideration 2). Any materials sent to the festival (backup film copies, marketing materials) will NOT be returned without pre-paid postage or can be picked up at the festival. 3). WE DO NOT PAY SCREENING FEES for any film submitted for review. 4). Press kit materials will be sent only upon notification of Officially Selected. JDIFF assumes no responsibility of marketing and promotion of screenings at the festival, but will do our very best to help promote. 5). Notification date is on or around March 01, 2023. 6). If selected as an Official Selection, projects will be requested to upload to the designated JDIFF dropbox. If possible, a backup might be requested by either DVD/BluRay or Thumb drive (preferred) 7). Screening copy of the film and marketing materials are to be sent per specs required once festival acceptance is announced. A letter will be sent to all those accepted with requirements and the date needed. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FILMMAKER TO SEND REQUIRED MATERIALS, PER SPECS SHEET GIVEN BY JDIFF, AT THE TIME GIVEN. IF FILMS AND MARKETING MATERIALS ARE NOT SENT IN TIME OR PER REQUESTED SPECS, JDIFF HAS THE RIGHT TO ELIMINATE THE FLIM FROM THE FESTIVAL OR ADJUST THE SCREENING COPY ACCORDINGLY TO FIT OUR REQUIRED SPECS. Only 1 venue requires a DCP and features and documentaries only will screen there. JDIFF DOES NOT PAY shipping fees. 8). JDIFF reserves the right to select films from the entire pool of submissions. 9). Films must have been completed AFTER January 1, 2021. Any films completed and released before January 1, 2021 will not be accepted. 10). JDIFF does consider works in progress, however prefers final projects in order for the best review and scoring possible. 11). All entered films grant JDIFF a non-exclusive limited use agreement to use selection portions of the films chosen for competition and or use film promotional materials to promote the festival, including the rights to utilize any excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at JDIFF for promotional purposes and/or on JDIFF's website. Filmmakers fully retain all rights, title and interest in their films and all intellectual Property. 12). JDIFF does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials. Please DO NOT send us any original copies, master copies, the only copy you have, etc. 13). By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, you certify that you hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film and have read the regulations. Your submission is your acceptance of all the Terms and Conditions listed under these Rules & Terms. 14). Dates and guidelines subject to change without prior notice. 15). JDIFF pays for the travel and accommodations for one filmmaker for each of the top 3 nominees in the Best feature, documentary, short I and short II categories only. Nominee flights are booked 4 weeks in advance of the festival. You will be given a deadline to send required information to JDIFF for booking. If requested information is not received by said deadline, you will need to book your own flight and JDIFF will reimburse you up to $500.00. If you choose to book your own flight, JDIFF will reimburse up to $500.00 for domestic and $600.00 for International flights. NOMINEES MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE TO WIN.

Evaluation

Jury Profile
Jury Name Judge photos Jury Profile

Authorization type

    Exclusive Contract

Duration (several sessions)

    12

Film Festival Features

  • Red Carpet
  • Celebrity Guest
  • Filmscreen
  • Cash prize
  • Trophy
  • Prize

Dates & Deadlines

  • 2025-03-01
    Submission start time

  • 2025-08-25
    Earlybird Deadline

  • 2026-01-03
    Regular Deadline

  • 2026-01-13
    Late Deadline

  • 2026-01-23
    Extended Deadline

  • 2026-01-23
    Submission end time

  • 2026-03-01
    Finalist notification start time

  • 2026-03-01
    Finalist notification end time

  • 2026-04-18
    Award ceremony start time

  • 2026-04-25
    Award ceremony end time

Categories and fees

  • U.S or International Narrative Feature
    Video length ：49 - 180
    $2,000 Cash Prize Narrative Features over 49 minutes in length. All genres will be considered. Priority is given to US and World Premieres. IOWA PREMIERE REQUIRED: If accepted, JDIFF must be the first festival you have screened at in Iowa, making us your Iowa Premiere. Meaning; you must not have screened in any other festival in Iowa prior to JDIFF

    2025/08/25
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 45 Dollar

    2026/01/03
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 65 Dollar

    2026/01/13
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 90 Dollar

    2026/01/23
    Extended Deadline

    Standard: 130 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • U.S or International Short II (20 - 49 min)
    Video length ：20 - 49
    $1,000 Cash Prize. Must be greater than 20 minutes and less than 49 min (including credits).

    2025/08/25
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 40 Dollar

    2026/01/03
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    2026/01/13
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    2026/01/23
    Extended Deadline

    Standard: 100 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • U.S. or International Young Filmmaker (under 18 years old) feature, Documentary or Short
    Video length ：5 - 110
    Must be greater than 5 minutes and less than 110 min (including credits). All genres will be considered. Young Filmmaker Category is for any student, under the age of 18. Student ID is required and filmmaker must contact JDIFF for password to submit under the Young Filmmaker category.

    2025/08/25
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 30 Dollar

    2026/01/03
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 40 Dollar

    2026/01/13
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 55 Dollar

    2026/01/23
    Extended Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • U.S. or International Student (over 18 years old) Feature, Documentary or Short
    Video length ：5 - 110
    Must be greater than 4 minutes and less than 110 min (including credits). All genres will be considered. Student Category is for any student, over the age of 18. Student ID is required and filmmaker must contact JDIFF for password to submit under the student category (after sending copy of student ID). Priority is given to US and World Premieres. IOWA PREMIERE REQUIRED: If accepted, JDIFF must be the first festival you have screened at in Iowa, making us your Iowa Premiere. Meaning; you must not have screened in any other festival in Iowa prior to JDIFF.

    2025/08/25
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 30 Dollar

    2026/01/03
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 40 Dollar

    2026/01/13
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 55 Dollar

    2026/01/23
    Extended Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • U.S. or International Short I (2 - 20 min)
    Video length ：50 - 100
    $1,000 Cash Prize Must be no less than 2 minute and no greater than 20 min (including credits)

    2025/08/25
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 40 Dollar

    2026/01/03
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 50 Dollar

    2026/01/13
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 75 Dollar

    2026/01/23
    Extended Deadline

    Standard: 100 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival
  • U.S or International Documentary
    Video length ：1 - 49
    $2,000 Cash Prize Documentaries over 49 minutes in length. All genres will be considered. Priority is given to US and World Premieres. IOWA PREMIERE REQUIRED: If accepted, JDIFF must be the first festival you have screened at in Iowa, making us your Iowa Premiere. Meaning; you must not have screened in any other festival in Iowa prior to JDIFF.

    2025/08/25
    Earlybird Deadline

    Standard: 45 Dollar

    2026/01/03
    Regular Deadline

    Standard: 65 Dollar

    2026/01/13
    Late Deadline

    Standard: 90 Dollar

    2026/01/23
    Extended Deadline

    Standard: 130 Dollar

    Submit to the Festival

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