Submissions for 2026 are OPEN on FilmFreeway!  

Our 2025 season was successful enough that for the second year in a row we are able to lower submission fees. All Film and Unproduced Screenplay submissions must be submitted through FilmFreeway. We only accept online screeners and digital scripts. 

Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action, Animation, Experimental, Western New York, WNY Student.

Please note: Our only student film category is for films produced in Western New York. All other student films should be submitted according to genre.  Empire State Film Festival accepts student film submissions from across New York State.

Territories: National, International, Canada, Western New York.

DEADLINES

Prehistoric: 11/17/24

Early Bird: 12/31/24

Regular: 2/28/25

Late: 4/30/25

Extended: 6/15/25

Post Apocalyptic: 7/18/25

Selections announced on 7/23/24

SUBMISSION FEES

WNY Student Films (any length)

Prehistoric: $7

Early Bird: $12

Regular: $17

Late: $22

Extended: $27

Post Apocalyptic: $32

Flash Films (60 seconds or less)

Prehistoric: $5

Early Bird: $10

Regular: $15

Late: $20

Extended: $25

Post Apocalyptic: $30

Micro Shorts  1 -7 mins

Prehistoric: $7

Early Bird: $12

Regular: $17

Late: $22

Extended: $27

Post Apocalyptic: $32

Shorts  8 - 40 mins  

Prehistoric: $10

Early Bird: $20

Regular : $25

Late $30

Extended $35

Post Apocalyptic: $40

Features  41 – 120 mins   

Prehistoric: $25

Early Bird: $40

Regular :$55

Late: $70

Extended: $85

Post Apocalyptic: $100

Unproduced Short Screenplays  1- 60 pages       

Prehistoric: $20

Earlybird $25

Regular $30

Late $35

Extended $40

Post Apocalyptic: 45

Unproduced Feature Screenplays  70- 120 pages  

Prehistoric: $35

Early Bird : $45

Regular :$55

Late: $65

Extended: $75

Post Apocalyptic:  $79