Your film
- Five minutes or less, credits included. Longer files can't be uploaded.
- Complete and ready for theater projection. No works in progress.
- Non-English dialogue needs English subtitles or an English dub.
FiveFest
The Five Minute Film Festival: films of five minutes or less, in any of eight genres, from filmmakers anywhere. Every film gets in, gets scored by our Academy Judges and screens online. The best play the big screen in Springfield.
- 5:00
- Maximum length, credits included.
- 8
- Genres, each with its own Best award.
- 720p
- Minimum resolution, with clear audio.
- 100%
- Of complete, eligible films are accepted.
2026 guidelines
What to send us.
FiveFest is presented by Hlabeard Productions with the SATO48 Film Challenge. Film Challenge teams get a free FiveFest submission with registration.
Technical
- 720p minimum resolution.
- Clear audio.
- A poster and other promotional materials are encouraged, not required.
Who can enter
- Any filmmaker, any age, anywhere.
- No limit on when the film was made.
- Submit through FilmFreeway.
Eight genres. Eight awards.
Industry professionals and filmmaking community members judge every entry. Last year's registered Film Challenge team members can join as Academy Judges.
Animation
- Innovative animation techniques
- Storytelling and emotional impact
- Artistic merit and design
- Voice performances
Comedy
- Original, well-written script
- Comedic timing and delivery
- Ensemble chemistry
- Direction that lands the humor
Documentary
- Depth of subject and research
- Narrative structure and pacing
- Cinematography and visual cohesion
- Impact, originality and insight
Drama
- Complex characters and story
- Quality of performances
- Direction and pacing
- Cinematic craft
Experimental
- Innovation in technique
- Narrative and conceptual ambiguity
- Visual and aural design
- Engagement and provocation
Horror
- Fear, suspense and thrill
- Original concept and execution
- Technical craft of atmosphere
- Depth of story
Music Video
- Creative, original visuals
- Music and image working together
- Direction and choreography
- Technical quality
Musical
- Music woven into the story
- Quality of the numbers
- Choreography and staging
- Direction of musical sequences
Every film gets seen.
Accepted · every film
Scorecard + online screening
A FiveFest Scorecard showing how the Academy Judges responded, plus an exclusive month-long online screening.
Selected
Big screen + nomination
An in-theater screening at a festival location, and recognition as a Nominee at the October FiveFest Awards Ceremony.
Genre winner
Statuette + the stage
With a representative checked in at the ceremony: a statuette, an on-stage acceptance speech and a backstage interview.
Filmmakers are told their film's acceptance level by email.
2026 dates & venue.
- Submissions close
- September 1, 2026
- Awards Ceremony
- Second week of October
- In-theater screenings
- Scheduled around venue capacity
- Venue
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Springfield, Missouri, the largest Alamo Drafthouse in the United States. Wheelchair accessible.
The fine print.
- Rights. You must own all rights to your film. You grant Hlabeard Productions and SATO48 in-theater and paywalled online screening rights for the festival, plus free online use in Festival Manager and promotional use in perpetuity.
- Endorsement. Acceptance isn't an endorsement of a film's content.
- Liability. Hlabeard Productions and SATO48 aren't liable for losses or damages, including from unavoidable cancellations or delays; we'll try to reschedule.
- Inclusion. FiveFest is committed to diversity and inclusion.
Questions? support@sato48.com or the Helpdesk.