Submissions open for the Julien Dubuque Film Festival: April 24 – 28, 2024

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Regular Deadline: January 8, 2024

January 22, 2024 Late Deadline February 1, 2024 Extended Deadline

We are now accepting submissions for the 2024 Julien Dubuque Film Festival and awarding over $35,000! You can submit your film via filmfreeway, or contact us for more information.

Watch the 2023 AWARDS CEREMONY Highlights Video by filmfestivals.com

The JDIFF Video Channel: ambiance and interviews

Email I 467 Bluff Street Dubuque, IA 52001 United States I Website I Profile on filmfestivals.com I Facebook I Twitter I SUBMIT

RANKED AGAIN IN 2023 AS ONE OF THE TOP 50 FILM FESTIVALS WORTH THE SUBMISSION FEE BY MOVIEMAKER MAGAZINE AND ONE OF THE TOP REVIEWED ON FilmFreeway, JDIFF is known for its networking opportunities, best communication, quaint location, great programming, friendly staff & volunteers, inquisitive audience, multiple screening opportunities, workshops, panels, amazing events and parties and so much more! JDIFF is ALL about the independent filmmaker and is truly geared for the best experience!

Dubuque, Iowa, located right alongside the Mississippi River, is a perfect place to host the festival. As quoted in Filmmaker Magazine “The festival is smartly situated downtown, with an assortment of handsome venues all within walking distance” from the Festival Headquarters, located in the grand HOTEL JULIEN, the same hotel where Al Capone used to hide out from the Chicago Feds.

The majority of events and venues are located on Main Street in downtown Dubuque, allowing Filmmakers, Attendees, and Special Guests to attend numerous screenings and events all within walking distance. We offer opportunities for radio, print, and social media promotion, full shuttle service, homestay program, and much more. We take care of our filmmakers and guests.

Our final nominees are judged by our Jury members of Film professionals, such as Directors, Producers, Critics, Directors of Photography, etc, and choose the final winner of each category.

JDIFF acknowledges emerging filmmakers from around the world and is committed to bringing world-class entertainment to the heart of the midwest

Awards & Prizes

$ 4,000 Best Documentary
$ 4,000 Best Narrative Feature
$ 1,000 Best Short (3 – 20 min length)
$ 1,000 Best Short (21 – 49 min length)
The top 3 nominees in each of the above categories (Documentary, Feature, Short I, Short II) receive free travel and accommodations to attend the festival.
Nominees are announced 4 weeks before the festival and must be present to win.

OTHER AWARDS PRESENTED on awards night. ALL FILMS QUALIFY**:

Best Cast (no travel benefits)
Best Use of Music ( no travel benefits)
Best Animated Short or Feature (no travel benefits)
Audience Choice (no travel benefits)
Honorable Mentions (2) (no travel benefits)
**All films qualify for the additional awards, unless already nominated for Best Documentary, Best Feature, Best Short I or Best Short 11**

WE PAY FOR THE TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE TOP 3 NOMINEES in the Feature, Documentary, Short I and Short II categories. *Some restrictions apply.

We award over $35,000 in cash and benefits, including a great package from InkTip for our Best Feature, Audience Choice and Honorable Mention categories where winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership where filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.