IsFF GREENLIGHT FILM PITCH COMPETITION RULES:

1. Eligibility

-- Open to independent filmmakers (individuals or teams) aged 18 and older

-- All genres accepted: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental

-- Applicants may submit one (1) project per festival year

-- Submissions must be original and owned by the applicant(s) - NO GENERATIVE AI

-- Film production must be produced 100% in the United States

2. Project Requirements (Micro-Budget Category)

-- All projects must be designed as micro-budget films, with a maximum total budget of $5,000 USD

-- The submitted budget must demonstrate a clear and realistic plan to complete the film within this limit

-- Production must NOT begin prior to the in-person pitch presentation at ISFF 2027

-- The winning project must be completed within 12 months of the award date

-- The completed film must be delivered in time for consideration to screen at the 2028 Indie Short Film Festival

3. Submission Requirements

Required:

Pitch Deck, including:

Logline

Synopsis

Director’s Vision

Visual Style / Lookbook

Target Audience

Production Plan & Timeline

Detailed Budget Breakdown (aligned with $5,000 cap)

Key Creative Team

Optional:

Proof-of-concept video, teaser, or prior work samples

4. Finalist Selection & Pitch Event

-- Selected finalists will be invited to present live at ISFF 2027

-- Each finalist will receive official notification and presentation guidelines

Pitch Format:

-- 5–7 minute verbal pitch presentation

-- 3–5 minute Q&A session with judges

-- Visual aids (slides, video, etc.) are permitted

5. Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:

-- Originality & Creativity

-- Story Strength & Concept

-- Feasibility within micro-budget constraints

-- Director’s Vision & Execution Plan

-- Audience engagement potential

-- Pitch delivery and clarity

6. Award & Funding Structure

-- $5,000 Micro-Budget Production Award

-- The award will be administered through a milestone-based disbursement model with ISFF oversight. Funds will not be distributed as a lump sum.

Disbursement Schedule: IsFF may make adjustments based on the demands of your production. Our objective is to keep you on track with your production and not slow you down. This part of the process is about accountability. As our first year of this film competition, it’s important that all parties are successful to strengthen the future of the program.

1. Development Phase – $1,000

• Final script completed and approved

• Production plan and schedule submitted

• Key crew identified

2. Production Phase – $2,000

• Shooting schedule finalized

• Locations secured

• Production readiness confirmed

3. Post-Production Phase – $1,500

• Rough cut submitted

• Post-production plan in progress

4. Completion Phase – $500

• Final film delivered

• Marketing assets submitted (stills, synopsis, poster)

• Film ready for ISFF 2028 consideration

Producer Credit & Festival Rights

• The Indie Short Film Festival (ISFF) will be credited as a Producer on the completed film

• The ISFF logo must be included in the film’s credits

• The completed project is expected to:

  • Premiere at the 2028 Indie Short Film Festival

Complete the entry form below. Although year one is free to submit, entries will be extremely limited and you must provide a short written concept first (logline + 1-paragraph summary). Upon review and consideration, selected submissions will then be invited to submit a full film pitch deck.

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