Film Submissions FAQ

Have questions related to our film submission process?

Do you offer waivers for film submissions on FilmFreeway?

As a festival, we understand filmmakers don't always have the funds to submit to festivals. One of our goals is to make PHLAFF accessible for all, particularly for young, emerging filmmakers.

Waiver submissions for the 2025 season are now closed.

I’m planning on submitting to the LOLA category. Could you clarify “themes of connection” so I can determine if my film qualifies?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, connection can be defined as “The condition of being related to something else by a bond of interdependence, causality, logical sequence, coherence, or the like; relation between things one of which is bound up with, or involved in, another.” We encourage you to seek how your work might relate to this theme whether it be directly or more abstract. What elements of connection are in your work? What is its core, its heart, or its nature? How do you express this within your film?

If a film is submitted to the Los Shorts Program, will it also be considered for the LOLA Shorts category? What about the other way around?

A film can only be entered into a single category for consideration. It will solely be evaluated for the category it is submitted to and won't be taken into account for any other category that it has not been submitted for.

By submitting to PHLAFF, can I still participate in other festivals in Philadelphia?

Absolutely! PHLAFF also invites filmmakers to submit their films, regardless of premiere status—whether it's a World Premiere, East Coast Premiere, or has no premiere status. Just ensure your film meets the criteria listed on our FilmFreeway submissions page.

Can I submit a film that is in HD format?

Yes, you can absolutely submit a film in HD (1920x1080) format to our festival! According to FilmFreeway, films can be uploaded to their platform with the following specifications:

FilmFreeway accepts all major video formats in full-quality HD up to 10 GB. Videos are transcoded for compatibility and performance. We recommend settings close to our output specs:

  • Maximum video bitrate: 2200 Kbps, H.264, MP4

  • Audio: 128 Kbps, AAC, 2-channel stereo

  • Aspect ratio: Preserved with a maximum video height of 720 pixels

In addition, we also accept Vimeo and YouTube links for submissions via FilmFreeway. When uploading your film, be sure to follow the platform’s instructions and include the viewing password to ensure our screening committee can access your work without any issues.

Do filmmakers need to be part of the Latine US community to submit their films?

Not at all! Filmmakers don’t need to be part of the Latine US community to submit their films. We welcome submissions from filmmakers of all backgrounds, as long as they follow the rules and guidelines outlined on our FilmFreeway page.