CALL FOR ENTRIES​

Submissions for Beyond Fest 2024 are now open. 

Earlybird Deadline | February 15, 2024 
Regular Deadline | April 15, 2024 
Final Deadline | July 15, 2024 

SUBMIT YOUR FILM

Beyond Fest is the highest-attended genre film festival in the U.S. and exists to serve the genre community of Los Angeles, with an annual fall festival and year-round special screenings & premieres in partnership with the American Cinematheque. A not-for-profit entity, Beyond Fest raises funds for the 501C3 non-profit film institution, American Cinematheque.

In 2023, Beyond Fest hosted screenings at the Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3, and Regency Westwood Village. Previously, screenings have also been held at The Egyptian Theatre, Mission Tiki Drive-In, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Legion Theater, and IMAX Headquarters/Playa Vista.

Beyond Fest is seeking exemplary genre short and feature films that are truly beyond in terms of content and form, with a particular interest in the categories of horror, dark comedy, and/or mindbending films that defy description from around the world. Send your boldest, gnarliest, most excellent work.

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“Few film festivals are as thoughtful and discerning as Beyond Fest. In the search for the next wave of genre filmmakers, it has become an absolute must-attend for me every year- and the shorts program is the first stop.” — New Line Cinema

“Looking to discover up-and-coming directors to work with, covering this festival every year is a huge priority. There are more and more executives’ eyes on this festival each year.” — 18hz Productions

 

RULES & TERMS

Please note Beyond Fest 2024 dates are not finalized and are subject to change.
Received press and additional promotional materials are not required.

SUBMISSION, EXHIBITION FORMATS

Films above 1 second and equal to/under 20 minutes are considered short length. Films that are 60 minutes or longer are considered feature length. We are not currently considering films that fall in between (21-59 minutes); we are unable to make exceptions and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Required submission format is an online screener. Acceptable formats for submissions include Private Vimeo/YouTube links, and/or privately hosted video files. No DVDs or BluRays will be accepted. Submissions in a foreign language must be subtitled or dubbed in English. If submitting more than one film, a separate completed entry is required for each title.

Accepted films will be provided with technical specifications for exhibition copies upon acceptance and may need to provide a professionally authored DCP.

DEADLINE, NOTIFICATION, AND SCHEDULING

Films are scheduled at the discretion of Beyond Fest. Beyond Fest retains the right to make changes to the published schedule at any time and for any reason. Beyond Fest will notify all filmmakers of acceptance/rejection status via email by no later than September 1, 2024. The festival is dedicated to hosting a physical event; should the pandemic necessitate a virtual pivot, all submitters will be contacted.

RELEASE

Submitting your film to Beyond Fest in no way implies any ownership rights by Beyond Fest to the submitted film. You retain ownership of your film.

Beyond Fest is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Beyond Fest from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, and screening. The individual or company submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

Neither party shall owe any liability to the other party arising under this agreement for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages, including, without limitation, loss of profit or business opportunities, except as expressly set forth herein. Neither party makes (and each party hereby specifically disclaims) any, representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the services contemplated by this agreement, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, implied warranties arising from a course of dealing or course of performance or any warranties relating to title or non-infringement of intellectual property. Neither party makes any representation, warranty or assurance concerning any minimum or maximum number of viewers or screenings or celebrities or special guests or events.

All information by Beyond Fest, whether publicly posted or not, is subject to change without prior notice. All festival and screening decisions will be made by Beyond Fest; all decisions are final.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to screen, feature films require a minimum of an LA Premiere to be considered; short films have no premiere restrictions. If your short film is already viewable online, that is ok; however, if selected for the festival, you will be asked to make your film temporarily unviewable for the month surrounding the festival. 

Feature films already available on VOD before or during the festival are not eligible. 

Films can be original or adapted works. However, ALL non-original portions of your film MUST be cleared and you must have permission to use someone else’s work. If you submit a film with copyrighted or trademarked materials included and you do not have written permission to use them, you will not be eligible to screen at Beyond Fest. You must be legally authorized to represent the entire work, in writing.