March 19-21,
2026

Emerson
Paramount
Center

ELIGIBILITY AND CATEGORIES

Films eligible for submission must fit one of the following descriptions:

1) The project was completed on was in progress while the filmmaker was enrolled in an educational institution (higher education, high school, workshop)

2) The project centers a subject or topic that is highly relevant to students.

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SHORTS submissions must be under 30 minutes; FEATURES submissions must be under 110 minutes. Both Documentary and Narrative are eligible for competition in either the Features section or the Shorts Section.

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Filmmakers may submit multiple projects, but each must be accompanied by a separate submission form.

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If you are unclear if your project is eligible, please email info@deckfest.org​

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GENERAL GUIDELINES

Non-English films must provide English subtitles for review and public screenings.

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By submitting, filmmakers are acknowledging that their film may be screened at any of DeckFest official events. Fillmakers will additionally be asked to provide clips and stills that can be used on the festival’s publicity materials if the film is accepted.

Any submission fees are non-refundable.

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Submissions found to violate copyright laws will be disqualified.

 

TECHNICAL GUIDELINES

Your submission’s total runtime (TRT) must NOT exceed the specified time limit for the category you are submitting. Credits are included in your TRT.

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Films that are accepted into the festival will be screened in Flat 1.85:1 composition (1998x1080) aspect ratio for the both SHORTS categories. If your film is submitted in a different ratio, We may have to add pillar-boxing or letter-boxing when we encode your DCP to make it fit the Flat 1.85:1 composition (1998x1080) aspect ratio.

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DeckFest reserves the right to edit regulations or scheduling as needed.