Spotlight Films

Spotlight Films are the marquee selections of the festival: a curated group of feature films chosen to be a highlight of the festival, showcasing some of the strongest storytelling in the lineup. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Stubbornly Independent – USA Produced Narrative Feature

Open to US domestic narrative feature films with a budget of up to $750,000 and no traditional theatrical domestic (USA) distribution at the time of the festival. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Gordon Parks Award for Black Excellence in Filmmaking – Feature

Awarded to a feature-length film with no traditional theatrical USA distribution deal at the time of the festival. Open to films of any production budget, country, or genre, directed by a filmmaker who self-identifies as Black, African American, or part of the African diaspora. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Gordon Parks Award for Black Excellence in Filmmaking – Short

Awarded to a short film of any production budget, country, or genre, directed by a filmmaker who self-identifies as Black, African American, or part of the African diaspora.

Documentary Feature Film

Open to domestic and foreign documentary features. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Documentary Short Film

Open to domestic and international documentary shorts under 40 minutes. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Kansas Filmmaker Feature Film

Open to Kansas filmmakers working in documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental feature film. Entry fees are waived for this category. Filmmakers must submit a valid Kansas address, connection, and identification to qualify, and must include this eligibility information in their cover letter. For each major cast or crew member’s Kansas connection, include their name, title, and city. Films that do not meet this requirement will be withdrawn from the category. Kansas filmmaker shorts and features are eligible for the Best Kansas Filmmaker awards (documentary short, narrative short, feature). Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Kansas Filmmaker Short Film

Open to Kansas filmmakers working in documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental short film. Entry fees are waived for this category. Filmmakers must submit a valid Kansas address, connection, and identification to qualify, and must include this eligibility information in their cover letter. For each major cast or crew member’s Kansas connection, include their name, title, and city. Films that do not meet this requirement will be withdrawn from the category. Kansas filmmaker shorts and features are eligible for the Best Kansas Filmmaker awards (documentary short, narrative short, feature). Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Murmurations Feature Film

Murmurations is named for the mural Personnages Oiseaux by Catalan artist Joan Miró, which hangs at the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University. This category highlights the connection between Ibero-American art and Kansas. Eligible films must be produced in an Ibero-American country, or have a writer, director, or producer based in one of those countries, and must be in a language spoken in that country (excluding English). Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Murmurations Short Film

Murmurations is named for the mural Personnages Oiseaux by Catalan artist Joan Miró, which hangs at the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University. This category highlights the connection between Ibero-American art and Kansas. Eligible films must be produced in an Ibero-American country, or have a writer, director, or producer based in one of those countries, and must be in a language spoken in that country (excluding English). Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Music Videos

Open to original music videos: a visual accompaniment to a piece of music. The featured song must be an original composition by the band or musician in the video; covers will not be considered. Submitters must hold the rights to participate in the festival. Maximum length is 10 minutes. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Narrative Feature Film

Open to narrative, animated, or experimental fiction features, domestic or foreign. Films entered in this category are eligible for a cash prize. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Narrative Short Film

Open to domestic and international narrative shorts under 40 minutes. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Thane Chastain Emerging Short Film (K-12 Only)

Open to films written, directed, and shot by students age 18 and younger at the time of production. This category is not open to university or college filmmakers. Adult involvement is limited to an advisory role. A valid student ID is required; anyone without one will be removed from the category. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Vortex – Animation

Open to shorts that are primarily animated or stop-motion. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.

Vortex – Experimental

Our experimental programming highlights avant-garde short films that push beyond conventional form and function. These films often reject traditional narrative structure and filmmaking tools, conveying meaning or story through unconventional, often abstract, use of the medium. If your film does not heavily employ abstract or non-narrative techniques, it may not be a fit for this category. Films may be invited to compete in more than one category. The festival reserves the right to determine final category eligibility.