– Submit Your Film – 

Are You Ready to Share Your Vision?

Your creativity deserves recognition! Bright Minds Film Festival welcomes submissions from filmmakers, photographers, scriptwriters, and musical artists across 60 diverse categories. Whether you’re an emerging creator or a seasoned artist, there’s a place for your talent here.

Why Submit to Bright Minds?

• Monthly Competitions – Winners earn official laurels, certificates, and recognition.

• Bright Minds Filmmaker Grant – A percentage of submission fees supports young filmmakers, helping them bring their projects to life.

• End-of-Year Grand Festival – 1st place monthly winners advance to compete for cash prizes and top honors.

• Inclusive & Family-Friendly – We welcome diverse voices while maintaining an all-ages storytelling space.

Eligibility & Film Criteria

• Who Can Submit? Filmmakers of any age—your film must focus on youth themes, young audiences, or stories that uplift and inspire.

• Accepted Genres:

  • Animation and Live-action

• Film Length:

  • Short films: 1–30 minutes

  • Feature films: 30+ minutes

Technical Requirements

• File Format: MP4, MOV, or AVI preferred

• Resolution: Minimum 1920x1080 HD, higher resolution recommended

• Audio Standards: Clear dialogue, balanced sound mixing, subtitles for non-English films

Submission Guidelines

• Entries must be submitted via  FilmFreeway or WFCN  with an active, accessible viewing link.

• Films must align with family-friendly and ethical standards.

• Films containing discriminatory, violent, or harmful content will not be accepted.

• The festival reserves the right to remove films from competition if they violate ethical guidelines.

Submission Fees & Deadlines

• Monthly Contests: Rolling submissions with specific deadlines each month. Check FilmFreeway or WFCN for monthly deadlines.

• End-of-Year Festival: 1st place winners in each category qualify for final showcase & awards.

• Submission Fees: Vary by category.

Bright Minds Filmmaker Grant

The Bright Minds Filmmaker Grant provides direct funding to young filmmakers to support their creative projects. Whether they need equipment, production costs, or festival entry fees, this grant is designed to help bring their vision to life.

Grant Eligibility & Application Process

• Who Can Apply? Young filmmakers who have submitted a film to Bright Minds Film Festival.

• What Does the Grant Cover? Funds can be used for any aspect of the filmmaker’s project.

• Application Process:

  • Applicants must submit a project outline explaining how they will use the grant.

  • Recipients are encouraged to share updates on how they use the funds.

  • Grants are one-time awards to ensure new filmmakers have opportunities each year.

Content Guidelines

• No explicit content (nudity, extreme violence, hate speech).

• Films must align with family-friendly guidelines while allowing meaningful storytelling.

• Copyrighted material must be licensed or properly credited.

Awards & Recognition

• Official Bright Minds laurels for all selected films

• Cash prizes for end-of-year festival winners

• Special filmmaker grants for standout entries

How to Submit & Deadlines

Bright Minds Film Festival accepts submissions through  FilmFreeway or WFCN 

Submission Deadline: Current submission deadlines are available on  FilmFreeway or WFCN 

General Film Categories

General Film Categories (Core Genres & Storytelling)

1. Best Feature Film – Honoring compelling long-form storytelling.

2. Best Youth Feature Film – Awarding feature-length films created by young filmmakers.

3. Best Short Film - Recognizing outstanding storytelling in shorter formats (5–40 minutes).

4. Best Youth Short Film - Recognizing outstanding storytelling in shorter formats (5–40 minutes) created by young filmmakers.

5. Best Micro Short (Under 5 Minutes) – Recognizing super-short films with powerful storytelling.

6. Best Silent Film – Recognizing films that convey powerful narratives without dialogue.

7. Best Documentary – Showcasing powerful nonfiction storytelling.

8. Best Youth Documentary – Celebrating nonfiction storytelling by young filmmakers, focusing on real-world issues and personal perspectives.

9. Best Educational Film – Recognizing films that teach valuable lessons in engaging ways.

10. Best Live-Action Film – Celebrating excellence in performance-driven filmmaking.

11. Best Youth Live-Action Film – Recognizing live-action films made by young creators.

12. Best Animation – Recognizing outstanding creativity in animated storytelling.

13. Best Animated Short – Specifically honoring short animated projects.

14. Best Youth Animation – Honoring animated films created by young filmmakers.

15. Best Experimental Film – Highlighting unique storytelling styles, formats, and techniques, including AI-assisted filmmaking.

16. Best Stop Motion – A subcategory of animation, celebrating frame-by-frame motion techniques.

17. Best International Film – Honoring films from global filmmakers with diverse perspectives.

18. Best Family Film – Recognizing wholesome, all-ages storytelling.

19. Best Inspirational Biopic – Celebrating films based on real-life stories.

20. Best Student Film – Recognizing films created by students in school programs.

21. Best Community Storytelling – Celebrating local or culturally focused narratives.

22. Best Dance Film – Honoring films centered on movement, choreography, or dance performance.

23. Best Science & Technology Film – Celebrating films exploring STEM themes.

24. Best Indie Film – Recognizing creative filmmaking done with minimal resources.

25. Best Cultural Heritage Film – Honoring traditional stories or folklore from diverse backgrounds.

26. Best Experimental Animation – Showcasing unique animation styles beyond standard techniques.
    
    

Thematic & Genre-Based Awards

27. Best Adventure Film – Awarding exciting and exploration-driven stories.

28. Best Comedy – Honoring films that bring joy and laughter.

29. Best Drama – Celebrating emotional, thought-provoking storytelling.

30. Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy – Showcasing imaginative, futuristic, or magical worlds.

31. Best Superhero Film – Highlighting heroic storytelling that inspires young audiences.

32. Best Musical Film – Awarding films that seamlessly integrate music and performance.

33. Best Mystery Film – Celebrating intriguing narratives that keep audiences guessing.

34. Best Spooky Story (Kid-Friendly Horror) – Honoring suspenseful yet age-appropriate storytelling.

35. Best Sports Film – Awarding stories of perseverance, teamwork, and athletic spirit.

Social Impact & Representation

36. Most Inspiring Story – Recognizing films that leave a lasting emotional impact.

37. Best Accessibility & Representation Film – Honoring stories that highlight inclusivity, disability representation, and adaptive creativity.

38. Best Friendship Story – Celebrating films that showcase strong friendships and teamwork.

39. Best Social Impact Film – Honoring films that raise awareness or inspire positive change.

40. Best Youth-Driven Social Issue Film – Recognizing young filmmakers tackling important topics for social change like bullying, mental health, climate action, or equality through storytelling.
    
    Filmmaker & Performance Awards

41. Young Filmmaker Award – Exclusively for directors under 18, celebrating emerging talent.

42. Best First-Time Filmmaker – Recognizing debut directors making their mark in storytelling.

43. Best Female Director – Honoring outstanding contributions by women-led filmmaking.

44. Best Director – Awarding exceptional storytelling and leadership behind the camera.

45. Best Youth Director – Specifically honoring young filmmakers directing their projects.

46. Best Screenwriter – Honoring the best-written film, highlighting dialogue and storytelling excellence.

47. Best Youth Screenwriter – Recognizing young storytellers who craft compelling scripts.

48. Best Ensemble Cast – Celebrating films with remarkable performances from multiple actors.

49. Best Youth Ensemble Performance – Highlighting exceptional teamwork and acting in youth-led films.

50. Best Young Actor – Recognizing outstanding performances from youth actors.
    
    Technical & Production Excellence
    
    

51. Best Cinematography – Awarding visually stunning filmmaking.

52. Best Editing – Honoring outstanding storytelling through seamless film editing.

53. Best Sound Design – Recognizing creative and immersive sound techniques.

54. Best Visual Effects – Celebrating both practical and digital special effects.

55. Best Costume Design – Highlighting imaginative and well-executed character costumes.

56. Best Production Design – Awarding visually immersive sets and world-building.

57. Best Puppetry/Live Animation – Recognizing storytelling brought to life through puppetry or physical animation techniques.

58. Best Creative Adaptation – Awarding sensory-friendly storytelling or films using adaptive technology.

59. Best Youth Innovation in Film – Awarding young creators who bring unique, experimental techniques or creative breakthroughs to filmmaking.

60. Best Young Visual Storyteller – Celebrating films with outstanding cinematography, editing, or artistic direction by a young filmmaker.

Ready to submit? Submit on Film Freeway!