Shorts of the Fort Film Festival

Whether you’re a veteran director or an emerging storyteller, this festival is your stage to showcase the real Lee County—its people, its beauty, and its spirit. Dive into creative filmmaking, connect with like-minded artists, and showcase your vision in a dynamic setting. Gain exposure, engage with the audience, and celebrate the diversity of greater Fort Myers through your unique perspective.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Submit your films to “Shorts of the Fort” and contribute to a festival that cherishes the power of film and the allure of local culture. Make every frame impactful—join us and let your creativity shine!

Deadline August 26th – Submit your film at: https://filmfreeway.com/ShortsintheFort

Awards and Prizes:

Best of the Fest $1000
Top film in each category: $500
Categories:
Island Odyssey: films featuring the surrounding islands in Lee County

Beach Bliss: films featuring the vast beaches and river banks in Lee County

Neighborhood Narratives- films featuring any of the towns, hamlets, iconic places across Lee County. The Fort Myers area in Southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham, and Lehigh Acres.

Audience Favorite: $500

Submission Rules:

Subject Matter: Films must focus on portraying the islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of Lee County. Films must be entirely shot in Lee County, Florida.

Multiple Submissions: Filmmakers may make multiple submissions, but each project must be submitted separately. Entry fees apply for each film.

Eligibility: There are no age restrictions for filmmakers, but the submitter must be at least 18 years of age.

Production Window: All films must have been shot post January, 2023

Student Film Fees: Entries for Student Films are free. A student is defined by an individual currently enrolled in an Elementary, Middle, High-School or University.

Rights: By submitting footage to the “Shorts of the Fort”, the participant hereby agrees to transfer and assign all rights, title, and interest in and to the submitted footage to Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB), including but not limited to copyright and any other intellectual property rights. The participant acknowledges and agrees that the submitted footage, upon acceptance by Lee County VCB, becomes the exclusive property of Lee County VCB, and Lee County VCB shall have the right to use, reproduce, distribute, display, and sublicense the footage for any purposes, without further compensation to the participant.

Copyright: All video, soundtrack, text and music in the film should not violate the copyright laws. You may be asked to supply documentation supporting your claim. Violation of copyright is a sufficient justification from exclusion of the film from participation in the competition.

Format:
Videos can be submitted as .mp4, .mov, or any other standard video format.
Videos should be 1920×1080 (1080p) or above in resolution.
30 second video submissions must be shot vertically ( 9 x 16) for use on IG and Tik Tok.

Awards and Recognition:

Award Reception: To receive your award at our ceremony, you must provide your contact information (Name, Phone, Email, Address) upon submission.