Submitting a Film

Application Opens March 1, 2026

Technical Requirements

• Duration: 10 minutes maximum for “Short Length” category. Shorter is better, with 3–5 minutes being ideal. 30 minute maximum for “Medium Length.” 120 minutes maximum for “Feature Length.”

• English subtitling if recorded in another language

• Video format: NTSC

• Video resolution: 1920 × 1080 (1080p). A 4k version can be delivered, though a 1920 × 1080 version must also be provided

• Audio resolution: 2.0 Channel Stereo Mix, 48k, 16 bit

• Frame rate: 24 fps preferred, but 23.98 or 29.97 will also be accepted

• Codec: Apple Pro Res 422 (standard)

• Encoding: H.264 with 15-30 mbps variable bit rate. 4k versions will need a 100–150mbps bit rate.

• Container: .MOV or .MP4

  If you are unable to meet these requirements, just let us know. We can likely modify your file to match these specs, but if you can do it from the start, that will make your film look its best!

Selection Criteria

We aim to create a thoughtfully curated cinematic experience where fungi are clearly and consistently celebrated (even if via abstract or highly creative ways), while providing the viewer with a program that is richly engaging. We welcome and encourage films of all styles and from filmmakers of all backgrounds, but also advise creators of several recurring reasons that have been identified over the years as to why a film is not selected for a final FFF program. Please read the following before submitting your film for consideration:

• FUNGI: If fungi are only a minor component of a film and not more-or-less central to the overarching narrative or creative intent, the piece will likely not be selected.

• DURATION: We decline many films because they are too long relative to the idea being presented and seem to have not been edited for succinctness. Be sure to show your film to several people of various backgrounds for feedback on the pacing of your piece before submitting. As noted above, a 3–5 minute duration is often ideal as shorter films are more likely to be accepted, especially if the content is very abstract.

• INTENT: Many films that not accepted due to lacking a sense of completeness. For narratives and non-fiction films, completeness implies structure, a sense of conclusion, an arc to the though-story, or a message of some sort. For abstract or experimental films, we are looking for consistency and intentionality in the piece, regardless of the creative styling.

• AUDIO: Films with poor audio quality (i.e. clipping sounds or very muffled dialogue) will likely be declined as audio is equally important to the imagery of a film when creating an entertaining experience.

• ROUGH CUTS: We will consider a rough cut as-is and base our determinations on the quality of that piece, not on a described final version. We strongly recommend sending the final, fully edited version of your film by August 31. If selected, you will then have until September 15 to send us a high-resolution file of that piece. Final files that vary notably from their original submission may be removed from the final program.

• AI: The FFF is not currently rejecting submissions that include AI-generated scenes or effects, though we are critical of films that rely entirely on AI images without any sense of direction or intent on the part of the filmmaker.

• FEES: To keep the FFF accessible to all artists, the FFF does not charge a submission fee. In return, we are not able to cover distribution fees for films.

How to Submit Your Film

The FFF submission form opens March 1, 2026.