Submissions open for 2025

We seek to showcase the best in independent film from Texas, the US and the world.

We love great storytelling, value the artistic and resourceful, and champion creativity.

We accept short films, feature films, student shorts, music videos and short screenplays.

We share these great projects in a historic theatrical venue, inspire filmmakers, create networking opportunities and show our guests some genuine Texas hospitality.

For information on the Made Deep in the Heart Screenplay Grant, see below.

How do I submit?

We are an environmentally friendly festival. We accept only digital entries through the FilmFreeway submission platform. This platform is the industry standard, trusted by over 10,000 film festivals around the world.

Ok, yes, but HOW do I submit?

Your film will need a FilmFreeway profile. (More info starting your FilmFreeway profile here). Once you’ve uploaded your film file to FilmFreeway and filled out the production information, head over to https://filmfreeway.com/WacoIndie, and click the green Submit Now button on the right side of the page. Do not send us DVD’s, Blu-rays, press kits, emails with YouTube links, dirty laundry or unruly children.

Do yourself a favor and read all the rules.

You agree to the following terms and conditions of the Waco Independent Film Festival (Waco Indie):
• You do not talk about Fight Club.
• The Waco Independent Film Festival does not accept or consider works in progress.
• In order for submissions to be considered for competition, a premiere within the Waco area is required - meaning your film has not already screened publicly in the 254 area code.
• Misrepresenting your film's runtime is grounds for automatic rejection. Your listed total runtime must include all credits.
• All films must be the original work of the filmmakers, and all filmmakers must have the necessary rights. The festival is not liable for any rights issues.
• Films must be no older than July 2020. Yes, that is a 5-year window.
• As per the Waco Independent Film Festival policy, the submission fee is non-refundable.
• By submitting a film to Waco Indie, if said film is officially accepted into this year's lineup, you grant the Waco Independent Film Festival permission to screen your film in a theatrical venue.
• Only completed entries (including entry form, payment, and final exhibition film copy) will be considered.
• Can we talk about Kurt Russell for a second? Nine times out of 10, if you start a Kurt Russell movie, you will enjoy it. A truly underrated talent!
• Short scripts of all genres are welcome to submit. Scripts must be unproduced as of the date of the film festival. (July 17, 2025)
• We accept digital submissions ONLY. Unless requested, do not send us DVDs, Blu-rays, press kits, dirty laundry, or unruly children.
• The selected films will be exhibited in a theatrical venue, via a digital file (backups are Blu-ray & DCP).
• Keep reading… there’s a promo code in here somewhere...
• All entries must either be in English or subtitled in English. Submitting a foreign language film without English subtitles is grounds for automatic rejection.
• If your film has been selected, you will have 14 DAYS TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ACCEPTANCE. If we do not hear from you within 14 days of notification, your film’s status as an official selection may be revoked.
• Your film will not be screened unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the Waco Independent Film Festival.
• We accept short film submissions of any genre/topic. (Run time is 39 minutes or less.)
• We accept feature film submissions of any genre/topic. (Run time is 40 minutes or more.)
• We accept student-made short film submissions of any genre/topic, created by college or high school students. (Run time is 29 minutes or less. School ID is required that matches the date your film was created.)
• Each submission will be considered for all appropriate award categories.
• We accept music video submissions in their own category.
• We accept unproduced short scripts in their own category.
• Films that have screened on television or are available publicly on the internet or streaming services may not be eligible for competition. (Password-protected and private links are acceptable).
• If you know Matthew McConaughey, and you have him commit to attending our festival, then your film is an automatic "in." Just sayin'.
• Notification of selections will be made by June 6, 2025.
• The Waco Independent Film Festival reserves the right to change our programming without notice. The official selections and screening schedule are at the sole discretion of the festival.
• Sorry, but we are not responsible for free transportation or lodging for the event. Hotel and shuttle discounts may become available as the festival approaches.
• Entrants are responsible for all costs incurred to attend this festival.
• You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee. Entry fees will not be refunded.
• Official selections will receive TWO free passes to the film festival for the duration of the film festival.
• Filmmakers with Official Selections are highly encouraged, but not required, to attend the festival. Seriously, check out our past festivals and you'll see that it's worth it! http://www.wacoindie.com
• Our success depends on the quality of submissions, so we cannot offer full waivers. But since you were smart enough to read these rules, use the promo code IAMAREADER and you'll get a discount.
• Exceptions to these rules will not be made unless we make an exception.
• Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Upon submission of your film, you grant the Waco Independent Film Festival the following:
• Permission to exhibit your film in a theatrical venue. Films must be available for screening during the festival.
• Permission for photos, posters, highlights, or excerpts of your film (e.g. a trailer) to be placed on the Waco Independent Film Festival website and/or social media and used for other marketing and promotional purposes. You also must agree to allow Waco Indie to promote the following year's festival with the material listed above. Waco Indie will never solicit or screen elements of your film outside the promotion of the Waco Independent Film Festival.
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Permissions

Upon submission of your film you grant the Waco Independent Film Festival the following:
• Permission to exhibit your film in a theatrical venue. Films must be available for screening during the festival.
• Permission for photos, posters, highlights, or excerpts of your film (e.g. a trailer) to be placed on the Waco Independent Film Festival website and/or social media and used for other marketing and promotional purposes. You also must agree to allow Waco Indie to promote the following year's festival with the material listed above. Waco Indie will never solicit or screen elements of your film outside the promotion of the event.

SCREENPLAY GRANT DETAILS

ESCREENPLAY GRANT DETAILS

Eligibility:
Waco Independent Film Festival is dedicated to supporting fresh voices and providing new film opportunities in Waco. Judges may select one short screenplay for the Waco Indie Screenplay Grant. Staff members from Waco Independent Film Festival and personnel affiliated with 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀 and 𝗪𝗮𝗰𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂 are not eligible to win.

The Screenplay Grant provides:
• Up to 4 nights of complimentary hotel stay provided by the 𝗪𝗮𝗰𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂. These nights may be used for pre-production scouting or during the production.
• Up to $2,500 in rebates provided by the Waco Independent Film Festival. These purchases must go toward McLennan County people, places, and things. You can pay cast, crew, catering, costumes, all sorts of filmmaking goodies. But the purchases must be made in McLennan County, the filmmaker must provide receipts.
• Production Package. Our partner, 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀, veterans of stage and screen, will work with you to help produce your film in McLennan county. This includes pre-production consultation, plus use of the Vision Vehicle's camera and lighting package (based on availability).

Requirements:
• The winning screenplay must have originally been entered into the Short Screenwriting Contest for this year’s film festival.
• Screenplays must be no longer than 30 pages.
• 50% of your film must be shot in McLennan County.
• Your film must complete production within 18 months of winning the screenplay award.
• $2,500 will be paid as rebates. The 𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 will refund you up to $2,500 on people, places, and things related to your shoot. (Eligible items include, but are not limited to cast, crew, catering, etc.). Items purchased in Waco, but shipped from elsewhere are not eligible. (For example, a shirt purchased online but shipped to Waco would not be eligible). Receipts must be provided.
• The 𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 logo must be added to the credits of the film.
• 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀 must be recognized as Associate Producers of the film
• Filmmaker will be required to provide a short summary (150-200 words) of how the funds were used, their experience of filming in Waco, and the impact of the 𝙎𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 on this production.

For further questions and inquiries about any of the Rules and Terms, please email info@wacoindie.com