Say It Loud Film Festival combines socially engaged short films with poetry and music. Its selection addresses subjects including racial justice, migration, women’s rights, LGBTQ communities, mental health and the environment, with an emphasis on stories that encourage courage, compassion and authentic expression. The programme includes local and international work by student and professional filmmakers, spanning narrative, documentary, experimental film and animation.
The festival has roots in Baltimore, where its activities include outdoor screenings associated with Artscape. Its 2027 edition takes place on 22 May 2027 at Bill Cosford Cinema in Coral Gables, Florida, with free public admission. Festival director Tony Mendez leads the event.
Festival rules
2027 submission cycle. Submit through FilmFreeway in one of three categories: Short Narrative – Professional/Student; Short Documentary – Professional/Student; or Short Experimental & Animation – Professional/Student. Films must be no longer than 20 minutes. The collegiate category covers films shot while the filmmaker is enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s programme; student ID or other proof is required at selection. The professional category covers films made by non-student filmmakers. The website’s undated Submit page also mentions secondary-school programmes, whereas the 2027 FilmFreeway listing specifies collegiate BA/master’s work; secondary-school applicants should confirm eligibility with the festival.
Organizers may withhold an award if the quality or number of submissions does not justify it. If an otherwise high-quality film falls in a genre category that is not viable for those reasons, it may screen and compete in a related category or be considered by the judges the following year without resubmission.
Submissions open on 24 May 2026. The earlybird deadline is 21 September 2026, the regular deadline 19 January 2027, the late deadline 13 April 2027, and notification is on 9 May 2027. All three categories have the same fees in US dollars: earlybird $25 standard, $20 student and $18.75 FilmFreeway Gold; regular $35 standard, $30 student and $26.25 Gold; late $50 standard, $45 student and $37.50 Gold.
