Call for entries now open! Send us your stuff!
We’re looking for wild and wonderful new films from sparkling and amazing humans! Cucalorus, Surfalorus, and the Works-in-Progress Lab are all accepting submissions.
Things get rolling September 18th to 20th with the 12th annual Surfalorus Film Festival on the Outer Banks. The deadline to submit your super-stoked surf moooovie is April 28th (with a late deadline of May 26th). Send in those surf films here!
Our Works-in-Progress Lab takes place here in Wilmington, NC on the Jengo’s Playhouse creative campus starting on September 24th and finishing up on October 1. Click here to read more about the lab and to apply.
And last but not least, the mothership 29th annual Cucalorus Film Festival is seeking shorts, features, docs, and anything else you can squeeze into an mp4 file. The deadlines to submit to Cucalorus are April 28th for you early birds and June 23 for the last call. So get your sound mix swirling and your gamma rays color-corrected because we want to see your stuff! Go here for Cucalorus submissions.
Follow the links above to check out the Film Freeway guidelines for each fest. Surfalorus takes only surf movies or docs about the ocean. And then Cucalorus is where it all comes together – anything goes. We want films by people from all over the world. We want films by people who have never made films before and people who have been making films forever. More than half of the films at the festival are directed by women, so we’re always extra eager to see films with women in leadership. And we’ve set some new goals for representing more filmmakers of color, so we’re waiving the entry fee for directors who identify that way. We will also continue to waive the fee for anyone living in the City of Wilmington or New Hanover County. Email me for more info on these sweet waiver deals, y’all!! dan@cucalorus.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you serious about sending in an extra creative component?
Quite. But it’s just for good fun. Take your best crack at it. This is what keeps us going in the wee hours of the night.
Should I send my film to Cucalorus?
We encourage all filmmakers to send us their work. Anything goes! All films are screened by a dedicated team of screeners and programmers, made up of accomplished filmmakers, industry professionals, artists, the occasional preacher and one socialist realtor. We accept student films, funny films, erotic films, political films, experimental films, fancy big-money films, and backyard duct-tape films. Anything you can hide on the internet, send us the link. Even though we don’t give awards (see below), only one in every ten films get into the festival – so send us your best stuff and be nice to us because we have to watch a lot of movies and we love you.
Why doesn't Cucalorus give out awards?
Cucalorus says: competition sucks. It often takes hundreds of people to make a film, so why does one guy get the little statue? Ideas shouldn’t be owned by people, and people shouldn’t be singled out and ordered in a hierarchy. In order to create an open environment, where ideas are exchanged freely, Cucalorus avoids the competitive tension so prevalent at other fests. Laid back and low down rule the day in Cucaloria.
How can I get my film into Cucalorus?
Make a good film. Keep making them, and keep sending us links.
Where is Cucalorus?
Cucalorus takes place in historic downtown Wilmington. Most festival events are within walking distance of each other, helping to ward off movie-butt syndrome. Wilmington is home to EUE Screen Gems studios, an unruly lot of indie filmmakers, and a thriving, progressive arts community.
When should I submit my film?
Cucalorus accepts submissions on a rolling basis. We use our submission base year round in scheduling Jengo’s screenings and for our festival line-up. Submit your film as soon as you’ve finished it. Download whatever entry form is on our site (even if it has old dates and stuff on it. We live at the beach, where everything’s cool all the time.)
Do you accept student films?
Yes!
Can I submit a 'rough-cut'?
Absolutely. Send your film in and then send in newer versions as you make changes. This happens all the time, just make sure to note that it is a rough cut.
What does 'Works-In-Progress' entail?
The Works-in-Progress Lab (WiP) offers filmmakers at all stages of production an opportunity to showcase their films in a workshop-style setting. WiP focuses on strengthening community impact of documentaries about social justice with an emphasis on supporting the development of African American filmmakers. WiP supports filmmakers through developing engagement strategies through an immersive residency, taking place before and during the festival. Five filmmakers receive extensive community feedback during a week of screenings, workshops, and outreach. The 2016 program provided direct financial support through honorariums, travel stipends, lodging, airfare and rental fees. WiP includes community engagement events, public and private screenings, impact strategy sessions, and one-on-one consultations.
What if I have another question?
Not finding the answer you need? No problem. Contact Rachel Taylor, Programming Coordinator. Or visit our staff page for the full directory.