Open Submissions · Deadline August 14, 2026 · 11:59 PM
Your Story
Deserves
to Be Seen
We accept films from all backgrounds — professional filmmakers, first-time directors, mental health professionals, and survivors with a story to tell.
The Process
How to Submit
Choose Your Category
Review the five film categories below and identify where your film fits best. Films may span multiple categories — choose the primary one.
Pay the Submission Fee
Use the PayPal button below to pay your submission fee. Fees support festival operations, screening costs, and community programming.
Email Your Film
After payment, email your film file or a private streaming link to [email protected] with your name, title, runtime, and category.
Discount Code
After payment, email your film to [email protected]
Submission Fees
Fee Schedule
Feature Film
50 minutes or longer
$25
Feature Documentary
50 minutes or longer
$25
Narrative Short
20 minutes or less
$15
Documentary Short
20 minutes or less
$15
YouTube / Web Series
Any length
$15
LGBTQ+ Stories
Any length
$15
Student Film / Documentary
10 minutes or less
$10
Fees are non-refundable. All submissions receive a written response regardless of selection status. Financial hardship waivers available — email us before submitting.
Important Dates
Timeline
Now Open
Submissions Open
Submit your film for consideration in the 2026 Filmology Festival of Films. All categories are open.
August 14, 2026 · 11:59 PM
Submission Deadline
Final deadline for all submissions. All categories close at 11:59 PM. Full fee schedule applies.
August 31, 2026
Notifications
All submitters receive written notification of selection status and brief feedback.
October 2026
Festival Dates
Selected films screen at the Alumni Theater in Pittsburgh. Filmmakers invited to attend Q&A and panel discussions.
What We Accept
Film Categories
Survivor Stories
First-person narratives from individuals who have lived through mental health challenges. Any format, any length. Authenticity is the only requirement.
- Personal documentary
- Narrative fiction based on lived experience
- Video diary / vlog format
- Experimental / art film
Clinical Perspectives
Films created by or in close collaboration with licensed mental health professionals — therapists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors.
- Educational documentary
- Case study narrative (anonymized)
- Professional interview series
- Training / awareness film
Documentary
Long-form documentary works exploring mental health systems, communities, institutions, and the people who navigate them.
- Feature documentary (60+ min)
- Mid-length documentary (20–60 min)
- Investigative journalism format
- Community portrait
Short Film
Concise, powerful short films — narrative, documentary, or hybrid — that distill complex emotional experiences into unforgettable moments.
- Narrative short (under 40 min)
- Documentary short
- Experimental short
- Music video / spoken word
Animation
Animated works — 2D, 3D, stop-motion, or mixed media — that use the freedom of the medium to explore inner worlds, trauma, and healing.
- 2D / 3D animation
- Stop-motion
- Mixed media / collage
- Motion graphics essay
YouTube / Web Series
Original content created for YouTube or digital platforms — episodic series, video essays, vlogs, or web-native storytelling that explores mental health themes.
- YouTube mini-documentary
- Web series episode
- Video essay / commentary
- Mental health vlog / channel highlight
Student Film
Films produced by currently enrolled students at any level — high school, undergraduate, or graduate. The next generation of mental health storytellers.
- Student short film (10 min or less)
- Student documentary
- Thesis film
- Class project / workshop film
LGBTQ+ Stories
Films centering LGBTQ+ experiences of mental health — identity, community, resilience, and the intersections of queerness and emotional wellbeing.
- Coming out narrative
- Trans identity & mental health
- Queer community portrait
- Intersectional mental health story
Technical Requirements
Submission Specs
FILMOLOGY FESTIVAL OF FILMS
SUBMISSION SPECIFICATIONS — 2026
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SUBMISSION DEADLINE
August 14, 2026 · 11:59 PM
SUBMISSION FEES
Feature Film (50 min+) $25
Feature Documentary (50 min+) $25
Narrative Short (20 min or less) $15
Documentary Short (20 min or less) $15
Student Film / Documentary
(10 min or less) $10
FILE FORMATS ACCEPTED
Video: MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI
Codec: H.264 or H.265 preferred
Audio: AAC, MP3, or uncompressed
FILE DELIVERY
Max Size: 10 GB (direct file)
Links: Private Vimeo, Google Drive,
Dropbox, or WeTransfer accepted
Password: Include password in your email
RESOLUTION & ASPECT RATIO
Minimum: 1280 × 720 (720p)
Preferred: 1920 × 1080 (1080p) or higher
Aspect: Any — 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 2.39:1
SUBTITLES
Required: For non-English dialogue
Format: Burned-in or SRT file attached
Language: English subtitles required
CONTENT ADVISORY
Required: Note any graphic content,
strong language, or sensitive
mental health depictions
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QUESTIONS? [email protected]Common Questions
FAQ
Do I retain rights to my film?
Yes, absolutely. Filmology Festival does not acquire any rights to submitted or screened films. You retain full ownership and distribution rights.
Can I submit a film that has already screened elsewhere?
Yes. We do not require premiere status. Films that have screened at other festivals, online, or in other venues are welcome.
What if my film is not in English?
Non-English films are welcome and encouraged. Please include English subtitles in your submission file.
Is there a runtime limit?
No. We accept films of any length, from under a minute to feature-length. Programming decisions are made on content, not runtime.
Can I submit more than one film?
Yes. Each film requires a separate submission and fee. There is no limit on the number of films you may submit.
What happens after I pay via PayPal?
After payment, email your film file (or a private Vimeo/Drive link) along with your name, film title, runtime, and category to [email protected]. You will receive a confirmation within 3 business days.
Ready to Submit?
We're Ready to Watch.
Every film we receive is watched in full by at least two members of our programming committee. You will receive a written response. Your story matters to us.
Submit in 3 Steps
- 1
Choose your category from the list above
- 2
Enter a discount code if you have one
- 3
Pay your submission fee via PayPal below
- 4
Email your film to [email protected]
Discount Code
Questions? [email protected]