⁣⁣⁣⁣The Chicago film industry was a central hub for motion picture production and exhibition before Hollywood became the undisputed capital of filmmaking. In the early 1900s, Chicago boasted the most significant number of production companies and filmmakers. This situation was partially preserved until 1920, when the Chicago film industry met decline for a combination of reasons, including the impact of the Great Depression. Not until the 1980s and early 21st century has Chicago experienced a film production revival. Movie production again entered Chicago in the 1980s, with the state of Illinois becoming a leader in money spent on film production. Blockbusters, such as Blues Brothers, Sixteen Candles, and The Dark Knight, have rejuvenated the Chicago film scene.
Inspired by this tradition, the mission of the Chicago Filmmaker Awards, aka Cifawards, is to recognize and reward independent filmmakers that are currently missing in mainstream Hollywood. Whether your talent is in front of the camera or behind it, we have a category for you. We are waiting to watch your films.
We are interested in professionally made independent works. Submissions are open for shorts, feature narratives, documentaries and animation, and even experimental films and music videos.
This will be a seasonal Awards event with yearly live screening. Each season, we will select the best-known movies and promote the winners through social media and the official website. Few of the winners of each season will be selected for our online event.

⁣Madrid Arthouse film festival is an IMDb qualified bi-monthly online festival based in Madrid. The festival aims to provide a platform for short and long feature filmmakers to be seen and heard as best as possible.
The festival is very competitive: Each season, our jury selects each category's winners through private screenings (there will be no physical screening). The winners of each month may be then considered for the yearly online competition. If this happens, they will be shown and compete with other films-winners at the annual online event.

⁣Civilizations can’t flourish without the arts, and film has definitely become the art form and literature of the modern age. San Jose Independent Film Festival hopes to be like the art gallery displaying these cultural treasures that reflect creativity and diverse viewpoints. We hope to offer an online platform for our young filmmakers to present their creative ideas, their singular stories and storytelling, their talent and skill in their making and, not least, their passion for communicating how they feel and think about the world they live in. These are things they share with us, the audience, and with other filmmakers, whether they are making more familiar live-action dramas or provocative experimental films.
With this in mind, our programming is not dictated only by the demands of ticket sales and audiences. We are a safe space to show films that are not calculated by a formula nor constructed by a committee of studio heads eager to make a profit. Our mission is to showcase new and uncharted territory, offer invigorating new perspectives and exhilarating new styles in storytelling, and provide a more authentic cathartic experience for the audience. And, finally, we are a classy festival for an elegant town. Although we program part of the festival with an eye toward our community audience, we also create a program that will gain respect amongst our peers in the industry. If you have a film ready, we are waiting for your submissions!

⁣⁣⁣Oakland Film Festival is an online seasonal international film festival. It aims to be one of North America’s leading film festivals for international filmmakers. It is a unique platform for new talent and a celebration of cinematic creativity and innovation. The Festival attracts a broad selection of shorts and feature by filmmakers working in every genre and format and offers the people of Oakland and visitors an extraordinary chance to glimpse the future of cinema. The festival prides itself upon providing opportunities for talented directors, producers, writers, actors and crew members from all over the world to learn together and exhibit their work in a stimulating international environment. The festival is open to any film in any genre and especially prioritizes low-budget films of independent spirit and exciting new talent. The Festival aims to provide a cultural alternative to the commercial film experience, support independent filmmakers, and promote the art of filmmaking. It was established to utilize the power of film to further the goal of inter-cultural understanding among nations and to assist in the building of a shared artistic experience. During each season, films submitted to Oakland Awards are judged by our International Jury on their overall artistic and technical quality on a performance scale. Few of the finalist films will be selected for online screening and awards.

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Welcome to the Athens Indie Film Festival, where the spirit of democracy meets the magic of cinema! Inspired by the rich tapestry of Athens' storied history and its democratic legacy, our festival invites filmmakers from around the world to share their stories on our virtual stage. Just as Athens stood as a beacon of freedom and expression in ancient times, our festival embraces the diversity of voices and perspectives in contemporary filmmaking. Whether it's a short film bursting with creativity or a feature-length masterpiece that captivates audiences, we celebrate the power of storytelling to inspire, provoke, and unite. This is an online event. Join us online as we honor the timeless values of democracy and the enduring artistry of cinema at the Athens Indie Film Festival.

⁣Washington Film Awards is a unique seasonal virtual film competitions. Attracting both powerhouse companies as well as talented new filmmakers, it is an unparalleled, truly international awards competition, not a traditional film festival – which allows filmmakers from around the world to enter their films in this prestigious competition.
The festival gives talented directors, producers, actors, creative teams the positive exposure they deserve. It discovers and honors the achievements of filmmakers who produce high quality projects. The festvial promotes award winners through press releases to filmmakers and industry contacts. Above all, we truly value and honor our filmmaking family.
The festival accept screenplays (up to 40 pages) and short films (up to 40 minutes long). It offers a seasonal competition. Each season, our jury selects the winners through private screenings. The seasonal winners will qualify for the online screening. Furthermore, all seasonal winners receive a free digital certificate (in JPG), ready for print.

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Berlin Short Awards is a bi-monthly IMDb qualified online short awards event. We are happy to welcome filmmakers from all genres, particularly low or no-budget ones, and all countries, especially from those traditionally underrepresented in the global film industry. Our main goal is to showcase their brilliant projects in Berlin's beautiful city for a diverse audience of cinephiles. Berlin, as a city dates to the 13th century. Reminders of the city's turbulent 20th-century history can be seen in the parts of city. The city's also known for its art scene and modern landmarks like the gold-coloured, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonic, built in 1963. We encourage you to submit your work to this online event.
The selected projects are privately judged by a random team of invited experts from academia and the film industry worldwide, against a high standard of merit. From the official selection pool, which has a very competitive acceptance rate, Berlin Shorts Award chose the nominees and award winners of the month. All the Winners will receive the Official Laurels and the winning-category certificate.

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Dubai Indie Film Festival is an online based bi-monthly festival. DIFF is looking for independent projects from all genres, particularly low or no-budget ones, as well as from all countries, especially from those traditionally underrepresented in the global film industry. The submitted projects are judged through private screenings by a random team of invited experts from academia and film industry from the region. From the pool of official selection, which has a very competitive acceptance rate, DIFF chose the nominees and award winners of the edition.

⁣⁣We are a young cinephile group inspired by French cinema; our first love and point of entry to cinema were through the French new wave. When we watch films by Goddard and other masters of the new wave, we realize how the language of cinema could be diverse and different. French cinema was a bomb for us and changed our mindset about the art of filmmaking wholly. This festival is our dedication to the French cinema.
We prefer films with new /subversive looks. We hope to discover unheard voices and introduce them to the world. If you have a project ready, even a tiny one, don’t hesitate to submissions. We are here to promote your works and show your talent to the world.
This will be the second year of the festival. We started quietly; we had little chance for a great exposure during Covid time. Still, we have managed to organize physical events and invite young filmmakers to share their voices. We hope you make our event bigger with your physical presence. We believe films are made for big theatres, and a festival must respect this.

⁣Welcome to the Los Angeles Silver Screen Film Festival, an exclusive online celebration of cinematic excellence. Held in the heart of the entertainment capital, our festival shines a spotlight on remarkable films from around the globe, embracing diverse genres and innovative storytelling.
At the Los Angeles Silver Screen Film Festival, we are dedicated to recognizing and honoring the creativity and talent of filmmakers worldwide. We believe in cinema's unparalleled ability to evoke emotion, spark meaningful conversations, and connect audiences across cultural boundaries. Our festival serves as a platform for voices that resonate deeply, showcasing films that explore the vast spectrum of human experience.
Our meticulously curated selection offers a wide range of films, from poignant dramas and insightful documentaries to cutting-edge animations and captivating shorts. Each film is chosen for its distinct voice, storytelling excellence, and its power to engage and inspire viewers.
Join us at the Los Angeles Silver Screen Film Festival as we celebrate the artistry, passion, and vision of filmmakers. Whether you are a filmmaker, a cinephile, or someone who loves a great story, our festival offers a unique, enriching online experience that brings the magic of cinema right to your screen.