Deadlines & Fees
Festival dates: November 12–15, 2026 across three venues in Lancaster County, PA:
- Penn Cinema IMAX — 541 Airport Rd, Lititz, PA 17543
- Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse — 112 N Water St, Lancaster, PA 17603
- West Art Lancaster — 816 Buchanan Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
Fees vary by film category. Gold Member pricing applies automatically to FilmFreeway Gold members.
Feature Film
Best Picture — character-driven narratives
| Deadline | Date | Standard | Gold Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | July 31, 2026 | $15 | $10 |
| Regular | August 28, 2026 | $30 | $20 |
| Late | September 14, 2026 | $50 | $40 |
Short Film
Live-action or animated, character-driven or culturally relevant content
| Deadline | Date | Standard | Gold Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | July 31, 2026 | $10 | $5 |
| Regular | August 28, 2026 | $20 | $10 |
| Late | September 14, 2026 | $25 | $15 |
Documentary
A top prize is awarded to the best non-fiction documentary film
| Deadline | Date | Standard | Gold Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | July 31, 2026 | $15 | $10 |
| Regular | August 28, 2026 | $25 | $10 |
| Late | September 14, 2026 | $30 | $20 |
Student Film
Open to films created by a student(s) currently enrolled in college, or enrolled in 2024. A valid college ID photo must be emailed to [email protected] with your name and film title in the subject line prior to submitting.
| Deadline | Date | Standard | Gold Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | July 31, 2026 | $10 | $5 |
| Regular | August 28, 2026 | $15 | $8 |
| Late | September 14, 2026 | $20 | $10 |
The Red Rose Award
This Award recognizes the talented filmmakers of the host community as we promote not only the impact of film from around the world on Lancaster but also the Central PA perspectives making an impact on the world.
| Deadline | Date | Standard | Gold Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | July 31, 2026 | $10 | $5 |
| Regular | August 28, 2026 | $20 | $8 |
| Late | September 14, 2026 | $20 | $15 |
Key Dates
FilmFreeway Gold Member? You qualify for discounted submission fees at every tier. Gold pricing is applied automatically when you submit through FilmFreeway.
How to Submit
01
Submit on FilmFreeway
Visit our FilmFreeway festival page to submit your film and view complete submission details.
02
Three-Stage Jury
Films are evaluated by university film professors, producers, policymakers, and film enthusiasts through a rigorous three-stage jury process.
03
Notification
All filmmakers are notified of selection decisions on September 25, 2026. Selected films are announced publicly.
Student Filmmakers: Upload a valid student ID at submission or email it to [email protected] with your film title in the subject line.
Award Categories
Best Picture
The top prize, awarded to the best feature film that showcases character-driven narratives.
Best Short Film
Awarded to the best short film with content specific to character-driven or culturally relevant themes. Both animated and live-action films are considered.
Best Documentary
A top prize awarded to the best non-fiction documentary film.
Best Student Film
Recognizing exceptional work by college students currently enrolled, or enrolled in 2024. A valid student ID photo must accompany your submission — email a picture of your current, valid college ID to [email protected] with your name and film title in the subject line prior to submitting.
The Red Rose
This Award recognizes the talented filmmakers of the host community as we promote not only the impact of film from around the world on Lancaster but also the Central PA perspectives making an impact on the world.
Best Director / Actor / Actress
Specific awards determined by jury.
Rules & Terms
- 1
Final Decisions
All programming and jury decisions are final.
- 2
Submission Materials
Submissions will not be returned. Include the FilmFreeway tracking number and all required information.
- 3
Press Kit
Official selections must submit press kits promptly after notification. RRFF assumes no responsibility for marketing without proper materials.
- 4
Format
Selected films must be hosted on Vimeo, YouTube, or a competent streaming platform with permissions granted to RRFF. Final screening format must be in DCP to screen at Penn Cinema IMAX (541 Airport Rd, Lititz, PA 17543) or Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse (112 N Water St, Lancaster, PA 17603). Upon selection, RRFF will provide filmmakers with an address to drop DCP files.
- 5
Content Standards
RRFF does not accept films promoting hate, violence, or obscenity. Gratuitous content may result in disqualification.
- 6
Rights & Usage
By submitting, filmmakers grant RRFF non-exclusive rights to use film excerpts for promotional purposes. Filmmakers retain full rights to their work.
- 7
Attendance
Attendance is strongly encouraged for nominees. RSVP deadline will be announced following notification on September 25, 2026.
For detailed terms, visit our FAQ page.
Questions About Submitting?
Thank you for your hard work and dedication — happy submitting!