FFTG Awards Film Fest FAQ

General Information

FFTG is entirely digital — no physical venues or in-person events.

FFTG is an IMDb-qualifying, global digital film festival created to celebrate cinematic storytelling without borders. We are fully online — from submission to screening to awards.

Submissions and Eligibility

How do I submit?

All submissions are made through 👉 FilmFreeway:

Where can I see the categories and rules?

Full categories, genres, and rules are on 👉 FilmFreeway.

Can I submit the same film to more than one category?

Yes.

A single submission is enough for full consideration.
However, if you want your film to be considered in more than one primary category, you may submit it more than once.

Each submission is treated as a separate entry.

Simple example:

You have a 13-minute short film.
You may submit it once as Short Film – Short15.
If the film is also made by a student and you want it considered specifically under Student Film, you may submit the same film again in that category.

Submitting once is sufficient.
Submitting more than once is optional and only needed if you want separate category consideration.

Do you accept works-in-progress?

Yes, as long as the story is clear.

Are screenplays eligible?

Yes. Screenplays follow a separate award pathway.

What if I forget to upload proof for Student or 18 & Below categories?

Categories such as Student Film and Young Filmmakers / 18 Years & Below require valid proof of eligibility.

If the required proof is not uploaded at the time of submission:

the submission will be considered incomplete
it will not be evaluated
no refunds will be issued

Festival Screenings & Timeline

How selections, screenings, voting, and awards unfold.

When is the fest held?

The FFTG Awards Film Fest takes place annually during the Thanksgiving period, with exact dates announced in advance.

For 2026, the festival runs online from November 29 to December 13. Click here for details.

Jury & Selection Process

How is the jury selected?

We, The Chosen Ones® (WTCO®) is the invitation-only jury of the FFTG Awards Film Fest. The group is not a permanent board but an evolving council of architects of the craft.

- Alumni-Led Selection: The jury is composed of a small, carefully selected group of 6 to 9 filmmakers and creative professionals drawn from previous Official Selections.
- Proven Excellence: Members are individuals whose own work has been selected, nominated, or awarded by the festival in prior editions.
- Global Perspectives: Each year, the group is intentionally curated to bring multiple creative voices and international perspectives into the vetting process.
- Stewardship: This role is one of high responsibility—a commitment to recognizing the truth in storytelling and upholding the future of the craft.

How are Official Selections decided?

The integrity of the FFTG program is rooted in a rigorous, transparent evaluation process conducted entirely online.

The First Source of Entry: WTCO® members serve as the primary architects of the fest. They deliver the initial reviews and notes that determine which films and screenplays move forward.
Comprehensive Review: Every film and screenplay submitted to FFTG Awards is watched or read in full as part of the evaluation process.
Targeted Evaluation: Submissions are assigned to specific jurors who engage deeply with only the projects allocated to them to ensure a focused, high-quality review.
Merit-Driven Foundation: These peer-reviewed insights form the bedrock of the fest. We do not fill “slots” to meet quotas; selection is based solely on storytelling, craft, and resonance.
Final Determination: Once the jury has locked their evaluations, FFTG management carries the work forward to finalize the Official Selection, nominations, and awards based on that body of jury insight.
Talent Recognition: All talent and craft categories (Directing, Acting, etc.) are awarded based on these same rigorous reviews and jury evaluations.

Official Selection Status

What happens once my film is officially selected?

You receive:

Official Selection Laurel
Certificate
Eligibility for jury-driven awards
Eligibility to join the Screening Program
Filmmaker Benefits

Does Official Selection guarantee screening?

No. Screening requires submitting additional materials after selection.

Screening Program (Films Only)

What is the Screening Program?

All Official Selections form the FFTG Awards Official Program for the year.

Films that are invited into the Official Program are screened as part of the fest and enter the competitive screening window for audience-led awards.

Just like a physical festival screens films in theaters for a limited audience, FFTG screens its Official Program digitally — extending the experience to a global audience instead of a single venue.

How does screening work?

All invited films are screened during the official screening window and compete for:

People’s Choice Award
Filmmaker’s Choice Award

These awards are determined purely by votes, regardless of genre, format, or runtime.

Is screening mandatory?

Screening is the standard competitive program for Official Selections.

Filmmakers who are selected will receive screening details and may request to opt out only if required due to prior commitments, premiere strategies, or external festival considerations.

How is my film protected during screening?

All screenings take place on a secure, access-controlled digital platform.

Films are streamed only during the official screening window
Content is non-downloadable
Files are not stored or archived beyond the screening period
Access is time-bound and controlled

This mirrors a traditional theatrical screening — the difference is scale.
Instead of a theater, the world becomes the audience.

What is the screening window for 2026?

For FFTG Awards 2026, the official screening and voting window runs:

November 29 – December 13, 2026 (Pacific Time)

Does screening affect other awards?

No.

All Official Selections — whether screened or opted out — remain fully eligible for:

Jury-led awards
Genre awards
Talent and craft awards

Screening impacts audience-voted categories only.

If I do NOT join the screening program, what am I eligible for?

Eligible:

Official Selection recognition
Certificate & laurel
Grand Jury Choice
Jury category awards
Editorial/marketing features (based on assets)

Not Eligible:

People’s Choice
Filmmaker’s Choice
Public screening

Awards & Nominations

How do FFTG Awards work?

FFTG Awards operates through two distinct tracks:

Management-Led Awards (with Jury Input)

All jury-led recognitions are curated and finalized by FFTG Awards management, informed by evaluations and perspectives shared by invited jury members known as We, The Chosen Ones®.

These include:

Grand Jury Choice
Category Awards
Official Recognitions

Jury members provide insight, and evaluation input.

Final decisions rest with FFTG Awards management, ensuring consistency, balance, and alignment with the fest’s programming vision.

Screening-Based Awards

These awards are determined through the official screening and voting program:

People’s Choice
Filmmaker’s Choice

Both are decided purely by votes, regardless of genre, runtime, format, or category.

Why do some films get 0, 1, 2, or 4 nominations?

There is no fixed number of nominations per film.

A film may receive:

No nominations
A single nomination
Multiple nominations across different categories

Nominations are awarded only where merit is identified, based on storytelling, craft, execution, and overall impact — not on the number of categories submitted or fees paid.

Each nomination represents independent recognition, not automatic inclusion.

Is there a cash prize?

No.

FFTG Awards does not promote cash incentives.

Instead, FFTG focuses on aligning filmmakers with meaningful resources that can genuinely support and enhance their creative journey — from tools and platforms to visibility and long-term recognition.

FFTG is continuously reviewing and collaborating with select brands, services, and creative partners to identify resources that are actually useful to filmmakers working toward making strong, lasting cinematic work.

Any tools, benefits, or collaborations offered are intended to support the process of filmmaking, not to function as prizes or financial rewards.

Does FFTG guarantee meetings or representation through Stage 32?

No.

FFTG Awards does not guarantee meetings, representation, distribution, funding, or industry opportunities.

Any visibility or opportunity that may arise happens independently and organically, outside FFTG’s control.