Little Falls Smartphone Film Festival

A film festival for movies shot on a smartphone or tablet. October 2024.

Why a film festival for phones & tablets?

The Little Falls Smartphone Film Festival is an international film festival dedicated to content shot on a smartphone or tablet, all within the Mohawk Valley in Upstate New York.

No longer is expensive technology a barrier to creativity. The mobile phone has expanded the scope and freedom for filmmakers, providing limitless possibilities in the palm of your hand. The festival will encourage filmmakers to share the stories they have captured on mobile devices and give them a platform to exhibit these stories to a broader audience.

The festival takes place between October 18-20, 2024, and submissions will open on September 1, 2024, via Film Freeway.

Artistic Rules

What can I film with and can I use accessories?

You must film with a mobile phone or a tablet. You can use accessories such as microphones, stabilizers, filters, removable lenses, etc. Drone footage is permitted in moderation (no more than 5% using a drone is acceptable).

Location, Duration & Theme

Twenty minutes maximum, including credits. All shots must be within the Mohawk Valley of Upstate New York. We want to highlight the area’s rich heritage and unique look. Only MP4 or MOV formats can be submitted.

Film genre

All audio-visual forms are accepted: fiction, documentary, and all genres, too: romance, horror, science-fiction, western, drama, period, thriller, Z movie, comedy, action, war film, music video, etc., as well as stop-motion, time-lapse, etc.

Can I submit an animated film?

Films using motion-capture techniques and/or special effects added during editing are welcome, as long as the images were filmed using a mobile/tablet device. Unfortunately, films comprising only graphic animations without any live action are not permitted.

Can I add special effects during editing?

Yes

Can I show a brand on-screen?

Not explicitly, but in the urban landscape, there are many brands, and it is not forbidden to use them in the film.

Can several people be involved in making the film?

Yes. The entry form allows you to list all members of your team and their roles, including any co-producers and directors.

Can I use pre-existing music?

Yes and no. If you want to use any music in your film, you must hold the appropriate rights or have been authorized to use it by the author or its rights holders. You may be required to prove this if requested by our team. There is, however, lots of royalty-free music available for you to use. For example, you can take a look at the YouTube audio library.

Can I enter more than one video into the competition?

Yes, you can enter as many films as you like. However, only one film per director can be shortlisted for the competition. When registering more than one film, please use the same information for each one.

Registering for the Film Festival

OFFICIAL SELECTION

The festival takes place from October 18-20, 2024, and submissions will open on September 1, 2024, via Film Freeway.

When will the selection be announced? – The official selection will be announced on October 14, 2024.

When and where will films be screened? TBD

Where online will they be able to be viewed? TBD

AWARDS

There will be at least five winners, with additional possible categories for Audience Favorite, Kids Best Work (for filmmakers 16 and under), Finished on Mobile (must be shot AND edited on a mobile device or tablet), and others that we are considering.

Example film

Director – Eddie Cibrian
Editor – Julian Andraus & Eddie Cibrian
Digital Editor – Tonia Wallander
Producer – Leann Rimes, Eddie Cibrian & Darrell Brown
Captured on an iPhone 13 Pro

Example film

Filmed & Produced by David E. Warner
Shot on an iPhone 8 Plus with an Osmo Mobile
Aerial footage shot with a Mavic Pro
Filmed in Little Falls NY, December 9, 2017

Example film

Join the creator of Chef’s Table, David Gelb, behind the scenes of his latest documentary, Poached. Discover how iPhone 13 Pro’s cinema-grade features helped him capture Singapore’s hawker scene in the most authentic way. Get inspired to shoot your own documentary on an iPhone.

Reach Us

Got a Question? Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you right away.

690 E Main St
Little Falls NY 13365

+01 315-508-5310

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