Film Categories

Cleveland Festival

Drama: Dramatic, fictional narratives

Comedy: Comedic, fictional narratives

Documentary: Nonfiction narratives

Animation: Animated films of all genres

Science Fiction (Sci-Fi): Speculative fictional narratives based on imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology

International: Any short film made outside of the United States (can also apply to any other corresponding category)

Student: A film that meets any listed category but produced while the filmmaker was a student

Local: A film of any category produced in Northeast, Ohio

Short Series Pilot or Episode: A film/episode that is either a pilot for a series or an episode in a series

Environmental or Nature Film: A film/episode that are centered on the environment or awareness of climate change, pollution, deforestation, etc. Also films that are centered on outdoor activities and the natural world.

Horror: Horror based, fictional narratives

LGBTQ: A film of any category that focuses on LGBTQ topics

Women in Focus: A film of any category directed or produced by a woman

Experimental: A film of any category that is experimental in style

Music Video: A short film based on an existing song

Asian Cinema: A film of any category that focuses on Asian culture or directed by someone who identifies as Asian

Latin American Cinema: A film of any category that focuses on Latin American culture or directed by someone who identifies as Latin American

Action or Thriller Film: Films centered on action, physical feats, thrills, excitement, and suspense.

Vertical Film or Series: A film or series that is shot in a vertical format to typically be viewed on a phone. Submit a series as one submission.

Short Screenplay: A short, narrative screenplay of less than 40 pages of any genre