Film Submissions
Submissions are now closed. Submissions were accepted by the North Carolina Film Festival using FilmFreeway.com
Official Selections: Films that are selected for the North Carolina Film Festival will receive an “Official Selection” laurel image.
Submission Categories
The Feature category is for fictional films that run 40 minutes or longer. Animated, Puppetry, and Experimental films that meet these guidelines also qualify. Films submitted to this category will be eligible for the following awards: Best Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Lead Performance, and Best Supporting Performance.
The Short category is for fictional films shorter than 40 minutes. Films submitted to this category will be eligible for the following awards: Best Short Film, Best Cinematography, Best Lead Performance, and Best Supporting Performance.
The Documentary Feature category is for non-fiction films that run 40 minutes or longer. Animated and Experimental films that meet these guidelines also qualify. Films submitted to this category will be eligible for the following awards: Best Feature Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Lead Performance, and Best Supporting Performance.
The Documentary Short category is for non-fiction films shorter than 40 minutes. Films submitted to this category will be eligible for the following awards: Best Short Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Lead Performance, and Best Supporting Performance.
Deadlines & Entry Fees
Opening Date
November 2, 2023
Feature Films and
Documentary Feature Films
Short Films and
Documentary Short Films
Early Bird Deadline
December 2, 2023
Standard: $20
Gold Member: $18
Standard: $15
Gold Member: $13
Gray Squirrel Deadline
January 2, 2024
Standard: $25
Gold Member: $22
Standard: $20
Gold Member: $18
Pine Deadline
February 2, 2024
Standard: $30
Gold Member: $27
Standard: $25
Gold Member: $22
Dogwood Deadline
March 2, 2024
Standard: $35
Gold Member: $31
Standard: $30
Gold Member: $27
Cardinal Deadline
April 2, 2024
Standard: $40
Gold Member: $36
Standard: $35
Gold Member: $31
Cinematic Deadline
May 2, 2024
Standard: $45
Gold Member: $40
Standard: $40
Gold Member: $36
FINAL DEADLINE
June 2, 2024
Standard: $50
Gold Member: $45
Standard: $45
Gold Member: $40
Deadlines & Entry Fees
Feature Films & Documentary Feature Films
Opening Date: 11/2/23
Early Bird Deadline: 12/2/23
→ Standard: $20
→ Gold Members: $18
Gray Squirrel Deadline: 1/2/24
→ Standard: $25
→ Gold Members: $22
Pine Deadline: 2/2/24
→ Standard: $30
→ Gold Members: $27
Dogwood Deadline: 3/2/24
→ Standard: $35
→ Gold Members: $31
Cardinal Deadline: 4/2/24
→ Standard: $40
→ Gold Members: $36
Cinematic Deadline: 5/2/24
→ Standard: $45
→ Gold Members: $40
FINAL DEADLINE: 6/2/24
→ Standard: $50
→ Gold Members: $45
Short Films & Documentary Short Films
Opening Date: 11/2/23
Early Bird Deadline: 12/2/23
→ Standard: $15
→ Gold Members: $13
Gray Squirrel Deadline: 1/2/24
→ Standard: $20
→ Gold Members: $18
Pine Deadline: 2/2/24
→ Standard: $25
→ Gold Members: $22
Dogwood Deadline: 3/2/24
→ Standard: $30
→ Gold Members: $27
Cardinal Deadline: 4/2/24
→ Standard: $35
→ Gold Members: $31
Cinematic Deadline: 5/2/24
→ Standard: $40
→ Gold Members: $36
FINAL DEADLINE: 6/2/24
→ Standard: $45
→ Gold Members: $40