Introduction to the film festival
Regarded as one of the finest film festivals in the U.S., the Florida Film Festival is an annual showcase for the best in American Independent and Foreign Cinema.
This 10 day celebration of filmmakers and their art includes an Oscar® accredited American Independent Film Competition for features, docs, shorts, and animation, along with an International Showcase, Spotlight Films (those already with distribution), Midnight Movies, Music Films, Food Films, Florida Films, VR/AR, New Media/Web, Secret Screenings, Tributes, Special Guests, Panels & Forums, parties, and more.
Hosted by the historic Enzian Theater in Maitland (Orlando), Florida. The Florida Film Festival has been named "one of the top 50 festivals" by indieWIRE, and one of the top 10 festivals in the world by festival guru Chris Gore in his book, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, 2nd Edition. Nestled in at number eight (alongside such prestigious events as Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, Berlin, and SXSW), the Festival continues to showcase the best in American independent and foreign cinema.
MovieMaker Magazine named the FFF one the "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022, and one of the "Coolest Film Festivals in the World" in 2013.
In October 2022 FFF was also named "40 Great Festivals to Find Your Film a Home" by MovieMaker Magazine.
In October 2023 FFF was named "20 Great film Festivals in Vacation Destinations" by MovieMaker Magazine
The Florida Film Festival is a qualifying festival for the Oscars® in all three shorts categories: Live Action, Animated, and Documentary.
The winners of the Grand Jury Awards for Best Short in those categories will qualify to enter the Live Action Short Film, Animated Short Film, and Documentary Short Film categories of the next year’s Academy Awards®*.
Awards
Grand Jury Award - Best Narrative Feature *The Florida Film Festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS). The Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Documentary Short qualifies* the winner for the next year's Academy Awards® in the categories of Best Live Action Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Documentary Short. The Florida Film Festival requires films in competition for the Grand Jury Award be at least a Florida Premiere. Special Jury Awards are bestowed in the categories of Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Film Audience Award - Best Narrative Feature
Grand Jury Award - Best Documentary Feature
Grand Jury Award - Best Narrative Short*
Grand Jury Award - Best Documentary Short*
Grand Jury Award - Best Animated Short*
Audience Award - Best Documentary Feature
Audience Award - Best Short Film
Audience Award - Best Midnight Short
Audience Award - Best International Feature
Audience Award - Best International Short
Audience Award - Best Florida Film
Audience Award - Best Florida Short
Rules
American Independent Competition requires that the feature film have at least 51% U.S. funding and that the film NOT be financed, produced or initiated by a major motion picture studio. However any film conforming to all guidelines and purchased by a studio after completion is eligible.
Films eligible for competition Grand Jury Awards should be at minimum, Florida Premieres.
Films may not have been completed and/or publicly screened in the United States prior to January 1, 2025
Feature Films (Narrative/Documentary) may not be streaming or commercially released (theatrical) prior to April 2026.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-08-18
Submission start time
2025-09-30
Earlybird Deadline
2025-11-07
Regular Deadline
2025-11-19
Late Deadline
2025-12-08
Extended Deadline
2025-12-08
Submission end time
2026-02-27
Finalist notification start time
2026-02-27
Finalist notification end time
2026-04-10
Award ceremony start time
2026-04-19
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2025/09/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2025/11/07
Regular Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
2025/11/19
Late Deadline
Standard: 95 Dollar
2025/12/08
Extended Deadline
Standard: 105 Dollar
2025/09/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 35 Dollar
2025/11/07
Regular Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2025/11/19
Late Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
2025/12/08
Extended Deadline
Standard: 95 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
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