Introduction to the film festival
The Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival is one of the largest and most well-respected film festivals in the country, serving audiences numbering upwards of 25,000, hosting as many as 350 filmmakers, and providing cash awards and prizes valued at over $100,000. The festival has been a mainstay on MovieMaker Magazine’s list of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” since 2012, as well as a regular on the magazine’s list of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.”
Awards
The recipient of the festival's Documentary Short Jury Award, Narrative Short Jury Award, and Animated Short Jury Award will be eligible for consideration in their respective categories of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules. These and other categories may be eligible for Jury Awards and Audience Awards.
Rules
- All films selected for 2026 NOFF will be required to provide CLOSED and/or OPEN CAPTIONS (CC) with their exhibition copy of the film, whether it’s screening virtually or in-person. Our technical staff will review the captions to ensure compatibility and accuracy.
- Entries must have been completed on or after June 1, 2024.
- Films produced or financed by a major motion picture studio are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards. Films that have acquired distribution are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-12-01
Submission start time
2026-01-07
Earlybird Deadline
2026-03-04
Regular Deadline
2026-04-22
Late Deadline
2026-05-27
Extended Deadline
2026-05-27
Submission end time
2026-08-14
Finalist notification start time
2026-08-14
Finalist notification end time
2026-10-22
Award ceremony start time
2026-10-26
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/01/07
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/03/04
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/04/22
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/07
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 55 Dollar
2026/03/04
Regular Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/04/22
Late Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 90 Dollar
2026/01/07
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 46 Dollar
2026/03/04
Regular Deadline
Standard: 56 Dollar
2026/04/22
Late Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/01/07
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 46 Dollar
2026/03/04
Regular Deadline
Standard: 56 Dollar
2026/04/22
Late Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 80 Dollar
2026/01/07
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 40 Dollar
2026/03/04
Regular Deadline
Standard: 47 Dollar
2026/04/22
Late Deadline
Standard: 58 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 68 Dollar
2026/01/07
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 44 Dollar
2026/03/04
Regular Deadline
Standard: 50 Dollar
2026/04/22
Late Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
View in the applet
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