The Experimental Film Fest submissions for the 2026 season are open until August 1, 2026.
Submissions close on August 1, 2026, for the 2026 season–our 7th fabulous year! Stay tuned here and on FilmFreeway for more information.
The Experimental Film Fest is scheduled for 6 PM, September 19, 2026, 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, 2026. This year, we’re also offering a Down East Film Youth Scholarship sponsor ticket for $20, that helps fund the scholarship award.
Submissions are OPEN for The Experimental Film Fest 2026 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 20-ish 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 2026 screening and awards date is September 19, 2026. The venue for the 2026 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 2026 season
Awards
2025 Awards:
Awards are as follows for the 2025 Season!
Festival Winner – Exchange – Natalie Bark – UK
Critic’s Choice – MIST – Xixi Catherine Li – US
Best Animation – Straight ahead 01: Running Away – Becalelis Brodskis – UK
Best AI Film – fragmented reality – Ingmar Koch – Portugal
Best Student Film – A Train Arrives – Raphael Heinisch – Germany
Audience Favorite – The World Said No – Jennie Thwing – US