Every Submission Gets Screened
A small but ambitious Las Vegas film festival is challenging decades of film festival tradition with a radical policy change: every film submitted gets screened. No rejections. No waiting months to hear if you “made it in.” Just guaranteed exhibition for every filmmaker who submits during the open submission window.
C-47 Film Festival, entering its third season, announced it is eliminating the traditional “official selection” model that has defined film festivals for generations. Instead, Season 3 will screen every film submitted within the festival’s open submission timeline, as long as it meets basic content guidelines.
For decades, filmmakers have poured money into festival submission fees with no guarantee of return. Submit to 20 festivals at $50–75 each, and you have spent $1,000–1,500 before seeing any value. Most submissions result in form rejection emails months later. The money is simply gone.
The numbers support this frustration. Major film festivals accept 1–15% of submissions. Mid-tier festivals might accept 20–30%. That means 70–99% of filmmakers pay for nothing except the privilege of being told “no thanks” six months later.
How It Works
The Las Vegas-based festival opens submissions for a limited window. Every film submitted during that timeframe gets screened at festival events, provided it meets basic content standards and standard festival guidelines.
But here is the key: eliminating “official selections” does not mean eliminating competition or prestige.
The festival still awards honors for exceptional work. Categories like Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and others will recognize outstanding achievement. These awards remain selective and competitive. Not every film wins, maintaining the traditional festival prestige that filmmakers seek.
“We’re keeping the competitive element,” the festival organizers clarify.
“We’re trying this model for Season 3 to see if it sticks. Art is meant to be seen, so let’s put it on display!”
Can This Model Scale?
The obvious question is how a festival can screen every submission without running nonstop for months.
C-47 Film Festival addresses this through its limited submission window. By controlling when submissions are accepted rather than leaving submissions open year-round, the festival can manage screening volume while still honoring its commitment to screen every film.
The festival also emphasizes that Season 3 represents an experiment.
“We’re testing this model,” organizers admit.
“We think it’s better for filmmakers, but we’ll see how it works in practice.”
Industry Implications
If successful, C-47 Film Festival’s model could influence other festivals, particularly smaller and mid-tier events that compete for filmmaker attention and submission fees.
The traditional model benefits established festivals with name recognition. Filmmakers pay high fees for a small chance at Sundance or Tribeca prestige. But thousands of smaller festivals operate in the middle, charging fees without offering the guaranteed value of a C-47-style screening or the prestige of top-tier acceptance.
The Bottom Line
C-47 Film Festival’s Season 3 experiment asks a fundamental question: should filmmakers pay for the opportunity to be judged, or should they pay for guaranteed exhibition with competitive awards as an additional achievement layer?
For a third-season festival from Las Vegas to challenge industry norms takes confidence, or perhaps frustration with an established system.
Filmmakers interested in submitting to C-47 Film Festival Season 3 can find submission information at
