Avalonia Festival

Promotional photos can greatly bolster a film's chance for success. Whether a photo of a lead Actor or Actress or an aspect of the film, a great promotional photo is a vital marketing tool. The winning photo will be shared on the Avalonia website. Note: photos entered may be from either short films, music videos, or feature films.

The Film Poster is one of the classic, most identifiable elements of "getting the word out there". Film Posters entered into this category may be for either short films or feature films, regardless of genre. The winning poster art will be shared on our website.

This is a special category to honor the art of still photographers who capture an authentic moment in time in still form behind the scenes of a motion picture, whether the film be a feature film, short film, big budget or small budget production.

Our general category for Dramatic films, so films that may fall under one of our more specialized Genres listed are encouraged to enter those categories for those films with run-times of 21 minutes or less (including credits). If your film is either "180" (Three Minutes or under) or 1 Minute or less, you may enter those corresponding categories.

"Dramatic 180 Films" are 180 seconds and under (3 minutes and under) which fall under the same creative content guidelines as described in "Dramatic Short Film".

"Dramatic One Minute Films" are one minute long or under with the same creative content guidelines as described in "Dramatic Short Film".

A new category to celebrate our new home state of Florida! Film must have been shot in Florida or have a relevant Florida connection of some kind (if the content relates to Florida and/or the Writer /Director or Producer is from Florida)

Films taking place in Florida or with a Florida connection , three minutes and under!

Films filmed in or about Florida that are 60 seconds or less in runtime!

"Fantasy Short Film" is a category for filmmakers who venture into the Amazing worlds of their own creation, whether it be with the traditional elements of the Fatasy genre (Castles, Forests, Magic, Faries, etc) or in a new vision. This is for films 21 minutes and under, including credits.

Fantasy Films 180 seconds (3 minutes) and under with the same creative guidelines as Fantasy Short Film.

"Fantasy 1 Minute Movies" have a run time of 1 minute and under while still following the "Fantasy Short Films" genre guidelines.

Science-Fiction (Sci-Fi) Short Films often have themes of time travel, parallel universes, and/or man's interference with the natural order. Enter here for Sci-Fi films 21 minutes (with credits) and under in length.

Science Fiction Films 180 Seconds (3 minutes) or less that follow the Sci-Fi genre guidelines.

Films One Minute or less that follow the aforementioned Science-Fiction Short Film genre guidelines.

Truth is often stranger than fiction. From serious investigative journalism to character studies, this category is for the truth teller in you.

Documentary Films, 180 Seconds (3 minutes) & under are eligible for this truth telling category.

It is quite possible to capture a memorable moment in a minute or less.

All styles of Animation are encouraged to enter.

All styles of Animation, 180 seconds (3 minutes) and under, are welcome to enter.

Animation Works of any style with a run time of One Minute or less.

From the cryptic to the macabre, the brutal to the bloody, the psychological to the sublime, Horror takes us to our deepest places of fear.

Horror Films can certainly scare in 180 seconds (3 minutes) or less!

Scare us in a minute.

Films that feature either live capture or "hybrid" live/conceptual exhibitions of unique Performance Art. This could be from a live Art exhibit, Stand Up Comedy show, Street Performer exhibit (such as a mime or clown) etc.

For Performance Art videos 3 minutes and under in run-time.

1 Minute or under Performance Art category!

Make the world laugh and the world laughs with you. Comedy can be played in many ways, the main thing being "Does this film make people laugh?" Note this category is for the lighter side; for moodier works, please enter Dark Comedy category.

Make us laugh in 3 minutes or less!

Make us laugh in a minute or less!

Dark comedy has gloomier tones, sad irony, fatalism, or hints of mature content, violent or darkly political humor etc. This category is for you to unleash your inner cynic.

Dark Comedy films 180 Seconds (3 minutes) and under with gloomier tones, sad irony, fatalism, or hints of mature content, violent or darkly political humor etc. This category is for you to unleash your inner cynic.

Dark Comedy 1 Minute Movies are films 1 minute and under with gloomier tones, sad irony, fatalism, or hints of mature content, violent or darkly political humor etc. This category is for you to unleash your inner cynic.

ThoughtCrime is a unique category for Avalonia Festival, in honor of George Orwell. In Mr. Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Thought Police (Thinkpol) are the secret police of the superstate Oceania, who discover and punish thoughtcrime, personal and political thoughts unapproved by the Party. The Thinkpol use criminal psychology and omnipresent surveillance (telescreens, microphones, informers) to search for and find, monitor and arrest all citizens of Oceania who would commit thoughtcrime in challenge to the status quo authority of the Party and the regime of Big Brother.[ Orwell’s concept of “thought policing” derived from the intellectual self-honesty shown by a person's “power of facing unpleasant facts”; thus, criticizing the prevailing ideas of British society often placed Orwell in conflict with ideologues, people advocating “smelly little orthodoxies.” Filmmakers entering this category are to be applauded for their courage.

3 minutes and under. ThoughtCrime is a unique category for Avalonia Festival, in honor of George Orwell. In Mr. Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Thought Police (Thinkpol) are the secret police of the superstate Oceania, who discover and punish thoughtcrime, personal and political thoughts unapproved by the Party. The Thinkpol use criminal psychology and omnipresent surveillance (telescreens, microphones, informers) to search for and find, monitor and arrest all citizens of Oceania who would commit thoughtcrime in challenge to the status quo authority of the Party and the regime of Big Brother.[ Orwell’s concept of “thought policing” derived from the intellectual self-honesty shown by a person's “power of facing unpleasant facts”; thus, criticizing the prevailing ideas of British society often placed Orwell in conflict with ideologues, people advocating “smelly little orthodoxies.” Filmmakers entering this category are to be applauded for their courage.

ThoughtCrime films that are 1 minute and under; check the ThoughtCrime description under "ThoughtCrime" short.

Music, such as Eric Clapton's piano solo from Lola in Goodfellas, can make a great film even greater. This category is for Music Videos (both conceptual and live performance) or Short Films 11 minutes & under with a heavy use of traditional Musical content.

Same guidelines as Music Video / Musical Short for films 3 minutes and under.

Same guidelines for Music Video / Musical category, for 1 Minute and under films.

Joe Jafo Carriere was a hard rockin' guitarist, vocalist, and friend of Mike Messier and this award celebrates all things ROCK. This category is for hard rock, "arena rock" , "anthem rock" or heavy metal music videos. Long live Joe! Love live Rock! Videos may run up to 9 minutes long. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4101059/

The Vampire is a classic, Gothic fascinating character type. This category celebrates the Vampires of Avalon.

A category for Vampire films 3 minutes and under.

Vampire films 1 Minute or less; a "quick bite" indeed!

For a singular Actor or Actress, carrying a film by oneself is a great challenge. To qualify for this Award, only human One Actor or Actress, may appear on camera (VO or Off Screen "other human / animal" voices do not count as other Actors) may appear on screen.

What can a singular performer convey in 3 minutes or less? A great category for a singular performer to compete in with a monologue or character study. Only one Actor or Actress is allowed to appear on screen (other voices are acceptable).

Only One Actor or Actress only may appear on screen with a run time of one minute or less (other voices may be heard).

This special category celebrates Felines of all varieties from the common house cat to the mighty lion. "Artistic interpretations" of cats will also be accepted (humans dressed as cats). A feline or depiction of a cat must either be the star of the film or a major part of the film. All film genres may choose to enter for consideration; whether animation or documentary. No depiction of cruelty to animals will be accepted please. Please refer to this webpage, unrelated to our festival for more info on animals in film: https://www.animallaw.info/intro/animals-film

This special category celebrates Felines of all varieties from the common house cat to the mighty lion. A feline must either be the star of the film or a major part of the film. All film genres may choose to enter for consideration; whether animation or documentary. No depiction of cruelty to animals will be accepted please. Please refer to this webpage, unrelated to our festival for more info on animals in film: https://www.animallaw.info/intro/animals-film

This special category celebrates Felines of all varieties from the common house cat to the mighty lion. A feline must either be the star of the film or a major part of the film. All film genres may choose to enter for consideration; whether animation or documentary. No depiction of cruelty to animals will be accepted please. Please refer to this webpage, unrelated to our festival for more info on animals in film: https://www.animallaw.info/intro/animals-film

Canine Film Shorts indeed star or at least feature animals or themes of, relating to, or belonging to the Canidae, a family of mammals, including dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes, typically having a bushy tail, erect ears, and a long muzzle. Documentary, narrative and animation are all acceptable. Please no harm or cruelty or "stunt work" to the canines in your film. Refer to this webpage, not related to Avalonia Festival, for more info on animals in film: https://www.animallaw.info/intro/animals-film

Canine 180 films (3 minutes and under) indeed star or at least feature animals or themes of, relating to, or belonging to the Canidae, a family of mammals, including dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes, typically having a bushy tail, erect ears, and a long muzzle. Documentary, narrative and animation, with a "canine lead or strong supporting character" are all acceptable. Please no harm or cruelty or "stunt work" to the canines in your film. Refer to this webpage, not related to Avalonia Festival, for more info on animals in film: https://www.animallaw.info/intro/animals-film

Canine 1 Minute Movies indeed star or at least feature animals or themes of, relating to, or belonging to the Canidae, a family of mammals, including dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes, typically having a bushy tail, erect ears, and a long muzzle. Documentary, narrative and animation are all acceptable. Please no harm or cruelty or "stunt work" to the canines in your film. Refer to this webpage, not related to Avalonia Festival, for more info on animals in film: https://www.animallaw.info/intro/animals-film

This is a new category to celebrate the mediums of Advertising , Promotional Videos, and /or Industrial / Training Videos. Be among the first to enter this exciting new category!

This is a new category to celebrate the mediums of Advertising , Promotional Videos, and /or Industrial / Training Videos. Be among the first to enter this exciting new category!

This is the only category where multiple works will all be featured as Winners; all genres of Previews are eligible. All three Winners in this category will be featured at our live event and on our website. Previews may be "teasers" of yet-to-be filmed works, "campaign videos" for potential works, or "trailers" of finished works. "Coming Attractions" is a popular slogan in the United States before the film previews begin. 7 minutes or under. 7 minutes or under, please!

Love is in the Air at Avalonia Festival! Traditional Romance or anything that can be interpreted as romance or romantic comedy! For films 21 Minutes and under.

You can get a whole lotta love in 180 seconds or less! For films 3 minutes and under.

1 Minute of Love is better than a Lifetime Alone! For films 1 minute long and under.

Limit of TWO entries per artist, please! A special category for filmmakers who reside in countries where entry fees for filmmakers are not permitted to be spent. Some countries do not allow filmmakers to send money for these film festivals! Please consider that our entry regular entry fees are very modest; please only enter THIS category if the conditions described above exist for you! Thank you!

Enter your pilot or favorite episode of your web-series. This division is for Web-Series with a more dramatic or dark feel, including series with horror or sci-fi themes.

Enter your pilot or favorite episode of your web-series. This category is for shows with a comedy, dark comedy or light topics.

This is a new category for programs with a Talk / Interview / Variety Show format. We are looking for outstanding hosts, riveting content and great guests. Shows produced in either private studios or public access stations are eligible to enter this competition.

Behind the Scenes and Bonus footage material can often be just as fascinating as the actual film. We will accept Behind the Scenes or Bonus footage from short films, feature films, web series, TV or music videos.

Sports filmmakers and fans, now you have a film festival to call your own! Professional, College, Amateur , anything sports related! Both Narrative and Doc films - as well as interviews with Sports personalities are welcome to compete! You may also enter an 21 minute or under selection from a longer narrative film into this category!

Mixed Martial Arts filmmakers and fans, now you have a film festival to call your own! Both Narrative and Doc films - as well as interviews with Sports personalities are welcome to compete! You may also enter a 3 minute or under selection from a longer narrative film into this category!

Sports filmmakers and fans, now you have a film festival to call your own! Both Narrative and Doc films - as well as interviews with Sports personalities are welcome to compete! You may also enter a 1 minute or under selection from a longer narrative film into this category!

Professional Wrestling is one of the most fascinating forms of entertainment known to man, and a personal favorite of Avalonia Festival Director Mike Messier. This Award is named for Ox Baker, a good friend and father figure to Avalonia Festival Director Mike Messier as well as Nelson Frazier, Jr. (Mabel, Big Daddy V, Viscera) and Brian "Dano" Danovich, both Professional Wrestlers and good friends to Mike.

For films 21 Minutes & Under filmed in Jacksonville, Florida or having a connection to Jacksonville, Florida (our new home city!)

Got a film from Jacksonville or about Jacksonville? If it's under 3 minutes, enter it here!

How much Jacksonville can you fit into one minute or less?

If you filmed a movie on a mobile device / smart phone, this is a category for you!

Any films, 1 minute run time, or less , filmed on a smart phone / mobile device.

Films that have a clear Family or Children's orientation and might be considered in the "G" or "PG" type rating for content.

New England consists of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts & Connecticut and is the original home of Avalonia Festival (Live Events 1 - 3) . Avalonia is a piece of land that drifted off New England. Thus, this category is for films from or relating to New England or if the filmmaker (s) is from New England.

A special category for films from North Carolina in honor of our friends at Rhodywood Wilmington studios !

By request; a category added for the edited "reels" of Actors, Actresses, & all Performers such as Singers and Comedians . Run time limit is 7 minutes long although most reels will tend to be 2 - 5 minutes long.

A new category added for the "reels" of film Directors, Cinematographers and Editors. Maximum run time is 10 minutes. Please note the entry must be a REEL (a series of clips from various projects by the same artist) not a singular short film.