Mountainfilm is accepting documentary short submissions for its 2027 festival. Entries close January 14, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time; the short-film fee is $40 at the early deadline, $50 at the official deadline and $70 at the late deadline. The festival’s $5,000 Best Documentary Short award is in an Academy Award-qualifying category: winning makes a film eligible for Oscar consideration, not automatically nominated or a winner.
2027 submission deadlines and short-film fees
Mountainfilm’s 2027 submission page lists three deadlines. Fees are non-refundable, so choose a tier based on when the complete application and screener are ready.
| Tier | Deadline | Short entry fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early | November 24, 2026 | $40 |
| Official | December 22, 2026 | $50 |
| Late | January 14, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time | $70 |
These are the fees and dates published on Mountainfilm’s 2027 submission page. The festival says entry fees help fund its Commitment Grants and Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship.
Which films are eligible, and what counts as a fit?
Mountainfilm is a documentary festival and defines a short as a film under 40 minutes, including credits. It accepts films of any length, from any country and on any subject, provided they fit the festival’s mission. Non-English films should include English subtitles; VR projects are not accepted.
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The programming centers on documentary film, art and ideas connected to adventure, activism, social justice, the environment and culture. A mountain is not a requirement: as the festival puts it, “Just because your film doesn’t include a mountain doesn’t mean it won’t work in our programming.” See the Film Submissions FAQ for its explanation of fit.
How premiere status and previous screenings affect eligibility
For the 2027 festival, Mountainfilm is seeking films that premiere after June 2026, with rare exceptions for older films. It generally requires films not to have been screened or broadcast in Colorado before the festival. The festival also considers other screenings, broadcasts and online availability when making selections.
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Shorts with an online presence may still be considered, although Mountainfilm prefers films that have not already reached a large audience. If your film has screened, aired or been posted online, provide accurate information about its availability and history in the application rather than assuming it is automatically disqualified.
What to prepare before submitting
Mountainfilm processes entries through FilmFreeway. The submission must be complete; incomplete applications are not considered. The festival strongly prefers Vimeo screeners over FilmFreeway video uploads, and the screener link must remain active through June 15, 2027.
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- Complete contact information and a short synopsis.
- Film specifications and an active screener link.
- High-resolution production stills.
- The director’s headshot and biography.
- Payment of the entry fee and acceptance of the required rights and releases.
Mountainfilm does not consider rough cuts. It may accept a fine cut if general missing elements are identified on a title card, but it cannot guarantee review of later versions and says it will not consider updated cuts outside that exception.
Discount requests
Filmmakers from low- and middle-income countries, global majority/BIPOC filmmakers and students may request a discount by emailing the festival. Mountainfilm asks for the relevant details: country of residence for LMIC filmmakers, school and expected graduation date for students, or a brief self-identification statement for global majority/BIPOC filmmakers. General discount requests are not considered; consult the submission page for the current instructions.
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How selection works and when applicants hear back
Mountainfilm says each film is typically reviewed by two reviewers. Positively reviewed entries move to the programming team, which makes the final selection decisions. Applicants are notified by email through the contact listed on the entry form by May 1 at the latest.
The festival’s FAQ describes a typical annual selection of about 80–100 short films and a roughly 10–15% acceptance rate. Those are historical, festival-reported figures, not a forecast for the 2027 program or a measure of any one film’s chances.
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What the $5,000 Oscar-qualifying award means
Mountainfilm’s Best Documentary Short award is a juried award for films under 40 minutes and is worth $5,000. Mountainfilm identifies the festival as Academy Award qualifying in this category.
The qualification is a pathway to eligibility, not a promise of an Oscar nomination or win. In its October 11, 2024 announcement, Mountainfilm said films that win Best Short Documentary at the festival become “eligible for consideration for an Academy Award.” The award page continues to identify the category as qualifying. For the qualification language, see the festival’s announcement.
Plan for a DCP if your film is selected
Mountainfilm is a DCP-only festival, so selected filmmakers must provide a DCP for exhibition. The festival notes that producing one can be an unexpected expense, though the completed file may also be used for future screenings. Its FAQ names Simple DCP as a service for making a DCP; verify the service’s current availability and terms directly.
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