Film Fest Info

Final deadline extended to September 15!

The Grand Rapids Comic-Con Film Festival exists to support independent filmmakers, particularly those who have made short films for audiences who love science fiction, fantasy, action, comedy, animation, superheroes, and other nerd-oriented genres.

The Film Festival is one of many events at the Grand Rapids Comic-Con, which takes place annually in beautiful Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Con is a family-friendly event, which emphasizes the culture of nerds, geeks, and comic book enthusiasts. Our film festival is open to all independent filmmakers, but we give preference to films that play to our specific audience.

Each award-winning film will receive a plaque and a monetary prize.
Best Live Action Short: $300 (US)
Best Animated Short: $300 (US)
Best Grindhouse Short: $300 (US)
Audience Choice Award: $100 (US)

General Rules

Last Man On Earth starring Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor from “Doctor Who”) was part of the 2016 Grand Rapids Comic-Con film festival

1. The sixth annual Grand Rapids Comic-Con takes place November 9-11, 2018. The Film Festival will take place on Friday & Saturday, November 9-10, 2018. Filmmakers whose films are accepted into the festival will receive two complementary passes for the day of the festival screening.
2. Online screeners are required for qualification. Films that are selected for screening will need to submit a high definition digital exhibition copy in either MP4 or MOV format.
3. In the Live Action and Animation categories, content must be appropriate for a family audience. We will accept submissions meriting the equivalent of a G, PG, or PG-13 rating. Films with excessive or strong profanity (including any use of the f-word), graphic violence, or graphic sexual content will not be considered for these categories. Films that contain more adult content meriting the equivalent of an R rating may be submitted to our Grindhouse category.
4. The filmmaker(s) must own the rights to the submitted film and all content contained therein. Submitted films must not contain copyrighted music or any other trademarked or previously copyrighted material without prior written permission from the copyright owner. This includes using preexisting superhero characters or logos. Fan films will not be considered.

5. Submitted films may be in any genre, but preference will be given to films that appeal to the comic con audience, such as science fiction, fantasy, action, comedy, and animation. 

6. For the Live Action and Animation categories, films must not exceed 25 minutes in length, including all titles and credits. For the Grindhouse category, films must not exceed 30 minutes.
7. Films’ dialogue must be in English or must contain English subtitles.
8. Films finished before January, 2015, are not eligible.
9. Judges may reassign categories based on content at their discretion. Submitters are encouraged email the festival with any questions regarding categories and/or content.
10. All selection and prize decisions are final.

Terms & Conditions

Topsy McGee Vs. The Sky Pirates–starring Tara Platt, Yuri Lowenthal, and John de Lancie–was screened at the 2016 Grand Rapids Comic-Con film festival

By submitting your film to the Grand Rapids Comic-Con Film Festival:
1. The submitter attests that all information all information submitted is true and accurate to the best of the submitter’s knowledge.
2. The submitter licenses the submitted film for public exhibition at the Grand Rapids Comic-Con and in related promotional materials.
3. The submitter owns the rights to the submitted film and all content contained therein. Submitted films must not contain copyrighted music or any other trademarked or previously copyrighted material without prior written permission from the copyright owner. This includes using preexisting superhero characters or logos.
4. The film submitted adheres to the general rules of the Grand Rapids Comic-Con Film Festival, which is a family-oriented event.