The Experimental Film Fest submissions for the 2025 season are still open until August 1, 2025.

Submissions close on August 1, 2025, for the 2025 season–our 6th fabulous year! Stay tuned here and on FilmFreeway for more information.

The Experimental Film Fest is scheduled for 6 PM, September 20, 2025, at The Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle Street in downtown New Bern, North Carolina. Tickets are $10 each and will be available starting September 1, 2025. This year, we’re also offering a Down East Film Youth Scholarship sponsor ticket for $20, that helps fund the scholarship award.

Submissions are closed for The Experimental Film Fest 2025 season. The festival is held in the beautiful town of New Bern, NC. You’ll love New Bern and the festival. The Experimental Film Fest is an inclusive, international festival that focuses exclusively on experimental film.

The festival features free wine, beer, soda, bottled water, pizza, popcorn, and at least 20 of the world’s best experimental films. We have drawings for gift cards, T-shirts, and more.

Welcome to the Experimental Film Fest homepage. If you’re looking to submit your film, please use FilmFreeway. We use it exclusively for submission, tickets, and processing.

The festival is located in New Bern, North Carolina, and is a haven for arthouse, avant-garde, experimental, silent, and exploratory films. We are excited to see your work and encourage you to push the limits of cinematic media.

The Experimental Film Fest 2025 screening and awards date is September 20, 2025. The venue for the 2025 festival is Bank of the Arts, 317 Middle St, New Bern, NC 28560. The festival doors open at 6 PM, when attendees can begin finding seats and enjoying an array of food and drink options. Watch here and our listing on Film Freeway for updates.

Submissions

Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 season

Awards

2024 Awards:

Awards are as follows for the 2024 Season!

Festival Winner – Daniel Lopez – They’re Taking My House – USA – $250

Critic’s Choice – Cassidy Civiero – Return to Nature – Canada – $100

Best Animation – Mischa Andriessen, Arjan Brentjes – Samuel – Netherlands – $100

Best AI Film – Jo Jørgen Stordal – the perpetually lost youth – Norway – $100

Best Student Film – Daniil Denisov – 01 – Germany – $100

Audience Favorite – Daniil Denisov – 01 – Germany – $100
The audience votes on films during the festival.