These are important dates to remember throughout the festival process. (Please note! These dates are are subject to change.)
Registration Opens – October 1, 2023
- Early Bird Registration Period – $100 until December 31 2023
- Standard Registration Period – $150 until Jan 31st 2024
- College and Film School Student teams are $50 throughout registration
- High School and Middle School teams are $1 throughout registration
Registration Closes – January 31st, 2024
Kickoff Party – Live In Person 6-8 pm January 13th 2024 at Bent Brewstillery!
Kickoff Party – Virtual via Zoom Febuary 3rd 2024
Script Submission / Contest – See task system for dates
Judging Link Turn-in – Saturday March 16th, 2024 (by 11:59pm)
Final version of your film has to be uploaded to YouTube in order to be judged.
High-Res Film For Screening and Paperwork Turn-in deadline – Monday March 18th, 2024 (by 5pm)
Turn-in of the screening version will not be in person this year.
Team leaders can use DropBox, Google Drive, OneDrive or any other large file transfer service. The link to the large file will be entered into the task system.
If you cannot upload a high resolution screener, we will accept physical turn-in on a USB3 Flash Drive. These can be dropped off at Z Systems on Monday, March 18th before 5pm. USB drives will not be returned.
Z Systems is located at 3724 Oregon Ave. South, Saint Louis Park, MN 55426. (952)-974-3140 (see map).
Paperwork will be submitted as PDFs digitally via the task system.
Note: DropBox has a new feature where you can use your phone camera to convert your paperwork to PDFs. Please feel free to download and use the app. Scanning your paperwork using conventional methods with also work.
NOTE: We are asking that teams turn their films in early if possible. This is a turn-in deadline, and films can be turned in ANY TIME PRIOR to this date and time.
Nomination Links Due – Tuesday March 19th 2024 (by 5pm)
Remember the judges will not automatically nominate your film for ANY award or category you must submit a “super cool” clip/ montage of your work to be considered for an award category. A simple excerpt clip from your film will get you in the initial running but, if you do the work to show BTS footage or before and after clips, the judges will be much more likely to consider your film.
General Film Screenings – Saturday, April 27th and Sunday April 28th 2024
We are excited to hold the general screenings in person at the St Michael Cinema 15 Here’s a google map link. Showtimes, lineup and tickets to be announced, 2-3 sessions per evening, start times generally are 5:30pm, 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm.
“Best of Fest” Film Screenings – Saturday, May 18th 2024
We are excited to hold the Best of Fest screening at the St Michael Cinema 15 Here’s a google map link. Showtimes, lineup and tickets to be announced, 1 sessions per evening, start time is generally 7:00 pm.
TBD Best of Fest Gala and Awards Ceremony – Friday, May 31st 2024
We are excited to hold the Best of Fest Awards Show at the Radisson Blu Mall of America once again! Dress up (if you like) and plan to make a night of it! (Cash Bar with no food served so please plan ahead).
Held in an event space with plenty of social distancing. Doors generally open at 6 pm, the Award show starts at 7 pm. Please note this year the screenings will be held at an actual theater (see above). At this point, we are not planning on streaming this ceremony.