Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival

The 2027 submission listing names juried awards for dramatic and comedy features, documentary features, science-fiction/fantasy/horror features, New Vision and Global Vision features; narrative, animated, documentary, science-fiction/fantasy/horror and student shorts; television/webisode pilots; and music videos. Audience awards include narrative and documentary features, and all films are eligible for audience awards. Cinequest also presents Maverick Spirit awards to artists and Maverick Innovator awards to technologists.

For the 2027 submission cycle, Cinequest accepts narrative and documentary features and shorts, television episodes and webisodes, music videos, student films, films for families and AI films. Works in progress are accepted. Submit to one appropriate category: the programming team considers films across applicable sections and may reassign selected work. Student and Films for Families competitions have separate review teams and may require an additional entry. Selected filmmakers must supply publicity materials by the January deadlines specified by the festival, including images, an electronic press kit, a secure media screener, trailers and clips. Filmmakers pay for delivery of exhibition material; Cinequest pays return shipping. When a print or film goes directly to another festival, that festival pays onward shipping. The submitter must have authority to enter the work and accept the festival terms. Cinequest may use excerpts from accepted films for promotion. The rights holder agrees to indemnify the festival against claims concerning submitted material, including copyright, trademarks, credits, publicity, screening, loss or damage. Consult the official submission listing for the complete terms.