UCLAxFilmFest 2021

UCLAxFilmFest 2021 is now open for submissions!

About the Festival:

The sixth annual UCLAxFilmFest will take place virtually the weekend of August 27th – August 29th. Presented by UCLA Extension’s Entertainment Studies programs, UCLAxFilmFest 2021 is designed to showcase the best short films by current and previous Entertainment Studies and screenwriting students.

UCLAxFilmFest 2021 will celebrate a selection of exceptional short films, feature insightful industry panels, provide networking opportunities, and culminate in an awards ceremony.

Application Deadline for Film Submissions: Sunday, April 18, 2021

Virtual UCLAxFilmFest 2021 Dates: Friday – Sunday, August 27th, 28th, and 29th

Submission Requirements & Guidelines:

Please read the full 2021 Festival Rules before submitting your film.

To be eligible for consideration:

• You must have successfully completed at least one (1) class in the Entertainment Studies program or the Screenwriting program at UCLA Extension within the last five (5) years.
• Films may be no longer than 15 minutes, including credits.
• You must be the writer, director, or producer of the film you are submitting.
• With your submission, you must include a JPEG file of the film’s poster or a downloadable trailer for the film no longer than one minute in length.
• Films that contain significant non-English spoken dialogue must provide on-screen English subtitles.
• You may submit only one (1) film.
• Films must have been completed within five (5) years of the first festival date (August 27, 2021). We are actively seeking both films that were completed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as films shot and completed during the pandemic. You will be asked to specify whether your film was shot during the Covid-19 pandemic on the application form.

Awards:

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

Best Film
Best Unique and Artistic Film
Best Director
Entertainment Studies Award
Audience Choice

Judges to be announced.

The winner of each award will receive free enrollment for any one (1) UCLA Extension class in any department. The winner of “Best Film” may use their one (1) free enrollment toward the Independent Study program where the winner will have the opportunity to work on their own film projects under the mentorship of a UCLA Extension instructor. The festival may add additional award categories, to be announced during the submission window.

Submission Process:

1. Application Form & Film Submission (due 4/18/2021)— Complete the Application Form via Film Freeway and submit it by 11:59pm PDT on April 18^th, 2021 (no late applications will be accepted).  You will be required to include with your submission a poster as a JPEG or a downloadable trailer that is no longer than one-minute in length.
2. Acceptance Notifications— If your film is chosen to be screened at the festival, you will be notified via e-mail by May 14^th, 2021.

Congratulations to the UCLAxFilmFest 2020 winning films and filmmakers!

Best Film:

US | MX

Written & Directed by Joseph O Hooten

Best Director:

Sarah Clift for The Birth of Valerie Venus

Best Unique & Artistic Film:

Chatter

Written & Directed by Natasha Lewin

Entertainment Studies Award:

Land of Dry Bones

Written & Directed by Darrell Lake
Produced by Darrell Lake, Joseph Harold, Joel Harold, Matt Hill & Jonatas da Silva

Audience Choice Award:

Pao

Written, Directed, and Produced by Molvatu Sae-Ue

The UCLAxFilmFest 2020 was made possible in part by generous sponsorship from: