Introduction to the film festival
The 35th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (October 9 - 17, 2026) is the longest-running nonfiction film festival in North America. HSDFF offers multiple awards categories and is a designated Academy Award®-qualifying festival for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Documentary Short Subject.
MovieMaker Magazine has named HSDFF to its global list of “50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee”. HSDFF, a 9-day event, makes its home in one of the most unique vacation destinations of the American South, the historic Spa City of Hot Springs, Arkansas, with almost all screenings and parties held within easy walking distance.
Each October, the city comes alive as film lovers and filmmakers gather to participate in screenings of over 100 of the best international features and shorts, and to attend unforgettable events. Along with Gala screenings and events, including Opening and Closing Night and Centerpiece Galas, HSDFF also honors filmmakers and top industry leaders with various on-stage award ceremonies, including the Career Achievement Award and the Impact Award. Over the years, Hot Springs has hosted many legends in documentary film and is known for its warmth and hospitality to filmmakers.
Awards
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival hosts multiple juries made up of filmmakers, critics/journalists and industry leaders. Awards are given in the categories of Best Documentary Feature, Critics Prize, Best Documentary Short and Audience Awards, as well as additional recognitions determined by the juries. In partnership with PBS’ Reel South, HSDFF also presents the Reel South Award to a short film. Audience Choice Awards are given to Best Feature, Best Short and Best Southern Feature/Episodic.
The winning short film in the Documentary Short Film Competition is eligible for Academy Award® consideration without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.
Rules
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival exhibits in a variety of program categories. Not all categories are competitive.
*Short Films: 40 minutes or less
*Features: Over 40 minutes
*Episodic Series
*Fees are non-refundable.
*Competition is open to U.S. and International entries.
*Films not in English must be subtitled with English subtitles
ELIGIBILITY: Feature and short documentary films completed after September 1, 2025, are eligible for HSDFF 2026.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-12-01
Submission start time
2026-01-30
Earlybird Deadline
2026-04-29
Regular Deadline
2026-06-13
Late Deadline
2026-07-13
Extended Deadline
2026-07-13
Submission end time
2026-09-30
Finalist notification start time
2026-09-30
Finalist notification end time
2026-10-09
Award ceremony start time
2026-10-17
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/01/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
2026/04/29
Regular Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/06/13
Late Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/07/13
Extended Deadline
Standard: 75 Dollar
2026/01/30
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/04/29
Regular Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/06/13
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/07/13
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
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