New Media Film Festival® Returns for its 17th Year Celebrating Innovation in Storytelling — Hybrid Event to Be Held June 3–4, 2026

Festival Invites Submissions from Global Creators Across All Media for a Chance to Connect, Be Discovered, and Shape the Future of Storytelling

Create future stories

Los Angeles, CA – The internationally acclaimed New Media Film Festival® is back for its 17th edition, offering a unique blend of artistry, technology, and industry opportunity. Taking place June 3–4, 2026, with programming online June 4th and in-person in Los Angeles June 4th , the festival continues to honor its mission: “honoring stories worth telling.”

Founded in 2009, the New Media Film Festival® has become a beacon for creators pushing boundaries in storytelling. With a commitment to showcasing both classic and emerging formats, this year’s event spans 28 distinct categories—from AI-generated cinema and augmented reality to digital comics, mobile media, and socially responsible content and classics like shorts, features, trailers, music videos.

Empowering Creators, One Story at a Time Festival Founder and Director Susan Johnston remarked, “This festival exists to uplift the visionaries building the future of storytelling. It’s not just a showcase—it’s a bridge to continuous opportunity.”

Unlock new possibilities

With a panel of esteemed judges from Marvel, HBO, PBS, BBC, and Rolling Stone, the New Media Film Festival® offers unparalleled access to industry leaders and decision-makers. Nominees enjoy a full suite of career-building perks, including:

Red carpet interviews and press exposure

VIP networking and industry Q&As

Unveil untapped potential

Global promotion across a 20 million+ social reach and 80,000+ newsletter subscribers

One-on-one meetings with major studios and content platforms

Access to post-production deals, script coverage, and studio tools

Discover what’s next

Highlights from 2025’s Festival Last year’s standout projects set a high creative standard:

Grand Prize: Godcasting by Florent Agostini (France) – A pioneering AI-driven social media storytelling fusion

Best Animation: Meevil the Weevil by Kyle Arneson (USA) – A whimsical, hybrid stop-motion/live-action tale

Explore hidden realms

Best AI: Nezhaverse – Birth of a Legend by Taige Shi (Asia) – A mythic adventure featuring global stakes

Best AR: Penguin Court by True Interactive (USA) – A digital archive that brings historic architecture to life

Best Digital Comic: Halloween Girl by Emmy winner Richard T. Wilson – A chilling visual narrative

Dare to enter

Submissions Now Open — Deadline April 6, 2026 Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker, a studio-backed innovator, or a multidisciplinary storyteller blending mediums, the New Media Film Festival® welcomes bold visions of every kind.

Work is evaluated by at least three qualified human screeners based on story, production value, and innovation. If two approve, you’re in.

Why Submit?

Unlock limitless doors

Awards that go beyond trophies—think meetings with Marvel or HBO

Recognition that can lead to distribution, representation, and production deals

Custom, hand-painted awards

Ignite your creativity

Studio time in Los Angeles and cutting-edge production tools

Past participants have launched long-term creative partnerships, secured global distribution, and gained traction with top-tier studios—all starting with a submission to New Media Film Festival®.

Be part of the future of storytelling. Festival Details: 🗓️ Dates: June 3 (Online) & June 4 (In-Theater in Los Angeles) 📮 Submission Deadline: April 6, 2026 📍 Location: Los Angeles & Global Online Access 📧 Contact: info@newmediafilmfestival.com 🌐 Website: www.newmediafilmfestival.com