Call for Submissions

Our call for submissions is open to features, series, and shorts from around the world on any historical topic. Every screening will be followed by a Q&A, led by experienced moderators and interviewers. A core part of our mission is to foster and encourage the next generation of historian filmmakers by prominently featuring films from high school and college students, alongside established filmmakers. Our jury of Emmy and Peabody award-winning filmmakers will make award selections for the following categories:

  • U.S. Feature/Episodic Historical Documentary

  • U.S. Short Historical Documentary

  • International Feature/Episodic Historical Documentary

  • International Short Historical Documentary

  • Southern Feature/Episodic Historical Documentary

  • Southern Short Historical Documentary

  • Student Historical Documentary

Earlybird Deadline
November 21, 2025

Regular Deadline
December 19, 2025

Late Deadline
January 9, 2026

We have no restrictions on premiere status, either festival, theatrical, broadcast, or online. Films should have been completed within the last 5 years. Newer films will be given higher priority, but selections will ultimately be made based on quality and their fit within our overall program. Works-in-progress are encouraged, along with an explanation of what will be completed in time for the festival.

  • Short Films: 40 minutes or less

  • Features: Over 40 minutes

  • Episodic Series (up to 2 episodes of the series)

  • Fees are non-refundable

  • Competition is open to U.S. and International entries

  • Films not in English must be subtitled with English subtitles

What qualifies as a "historical" documentary?

We're looking for non-fiction films that explore specific events, figures, or issues and how they have made an impact on the course of history. Films may include contemporary characters or non-historic topics, but the majority of the film should be about or strongly connected to a topic that occurred at least 10 years in the past.

Films about the process of historic exploration or preservation will also be considered, but should aim to be accurate and informative about a specific topic.

All styles of non-fiction filmmaking will be considered, including educational, observational, first-person exposition, autobiography, participatory, reflexive, poetic, performative, hybrid and even docudrama (but not mockumentary). Storytelling devices can include narration, interviews, archival footage, research, primary and secondary sources, reenactments, animation and more. We want traditional educational films as well as original formats that defy categorization.

Promotional and sponsored films will not be considered.

For more details eligibility, exhibition agreement, and to submit visit https://filmfreeway.com/HindsightFilmFestival