Southern Screen Announces 2026 Film Festival Submissions

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Southern Screen, a non-competitive film festival dedicated to fostering creative expression, collaboration, and cultural exchange, has opened submissions for its 2026 event taking place November 19-22 in Lafayette, Louisiana. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit documentary and narrative feature-length films, short films, animations, music videos, and student films, with varying submission fees based on runtime.

Why it matters

The Southern Screen Festival provides an important platform for Louisiana and regional filmmakers to showcase their work, network with industry professionals, and participate in educational programming. As one of the state's premier film events, the festival helps drive cultural tourism and supports the local creative economy in Lafayette.

The details

Submission fees are set at $10 for short films under 25 minutes and $20 for feature films 60-120 minutes through August 1. Student submissions are free. In addition to film screenings, the festival offers educational panels, industry discussions, and networking opportunities. The 2025 festival, which marked the organization's 15th anniversary, welcomed audiences to Downtown Lafayette for four days of diverse programming, including talks on topics like 'Film + Brand: How Entertainment Can Advance the World' and 'From the Bayou to the Big Screen'.

• The 2026 Southern Screen Festival will take place November 19-22 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
• The submission deadline for the 2026 festival is August 1, 2026.

What’s next

Filmmakers have until August 1, 2026 to submit their films for consideration in the 2026 Southern Screen Festival.