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Phone | 434.982.5277
Fax | 434.924.3374
A program of

Call for Entries

Every Fall, the VAFF showcases celebrated new narrative and documentary features, independent and international projects, fresh perspectives on timeless classics, and local filmmakers from throughout Virginia. Each year, VAFF brings in a fascinating selection of guests, from internationally acclaimed directors and actors to professors and leading cultural experts who lead discussions that stimulate, educate, and engage. Today, the VAFF stands as one of Virginia’s most important cultural landmarks and one of the most respected regional destination film festivals in the United States.

We are looking forward to celebrating 33 years of the Virginia Film Festival this October 21-25, 2020 in Charlottesville!

How to Submit Your Film

The 2020 Call for Entries is now closed. Call for Entries for the 2021 Virginia Film Festival will open in February.

To be considered, you must submit your film through our Film Freeway portal linked below.

While the VAFF is primarily a non-competitive Festival, we do offer category-specific awards, including our Programmer’s Awards and our Audience Awards for which moviegoers vote via ballots.

If a film is accepted, press materials for the film will be required in a timely manner, which can include but may not be limited to: high-resolution publicity stills, filmmaker bio, or online trailer. The Virginia Film Festival does not offer “notes” or specific critique of any films not accepted for exhibition, and reserves the right to not accept a submission for any reason.

If you have any questions about submitting your film, please email vaffsubmissions@virginia.edu

Submit to Film Freeway

Deadlines & Submission Fees

Dates
Regular Deadline – June 15, 2020
Extended Deadline – July 13, 2020
Notification Date – September 18, 2020

Features (50 min. and above)
$35 – Regular Deadline
$50 – Extended Deadline
FREE for Virginia residents and students at VA schools

Shorts (under 50 min.)
$15 – Regular Deadline
$25 – Extended Deadline
FREE for Virginia residents and students at VA schools

Discounts for Students & VA Residents

Students outside Virginia are able to submit projects in all categories for a discounted rate of $10. In order to qualify, you must upload a scanned valid student ID with your project and enter the discount code 20VAFF33studentcv20 when you complete your submission on FilmFreeway.

Virginia residents (including students at VA schools) are eligible to have their entry fee waived. In order to receive the VA resident fee waiver, the address you list in your submission must be in Virginia, and you must enter the code 2020VA33VAFFresident when you complete your submission on FilmFreeway.