Spotlight Documentary Awards Film Submissions

2025 Submissions

Why Submit:

Focused Recognition
Your film is never lost in a schedule. Each selection is reviewed with care and honored on its own merits.

Career-Boosting Validation
Winning an award from Spotlight Docs brings credibility to your festival run, press kit, or next funding proposal.

No Premiere Restrictions
We accept films at any stage of release, as long as they tell a story that matters.

Judging by Documentary Professionals
Our panel includes filmmakers, programmers, and documentary advocates who respect your craft and understand the format.

Optional Access to Scores
Filmmakers may request their judges' scores for additional insight into how their film was received.

Submission Guidelines

Running Time

Short Documentaries: 45 minutes or less
Feature Documentaries: 46 minutes and over

Accepted Genres & Topics

We accept short and feature-length documentaries of any style or topic, including investigative journalism, personal stories, social impact films, cultural profiles, historical, environmental, and experimental nonfiction.

Multiple Entries

Multiple submissions are allowed. A separate entry and fee must be submitted for each film.

Works in Progress

We accept works in progress only if the final version will be available for judging before the official announcement date. Please indicate if your film is unfinished at the time of submission.

Award Announcements

Award winners are announced annually in December.

Language

Films in languages other than English or Spanish must include English subtitles.

Submission Format

All entries must be submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway.

Premiere Status

There are no premiere requirements. We welcome previously screened films and films that are currently available online or elsewhere, as long as you retain the rights to submit.