It’s the New Year and perhaps a good time to be thinking about film festivals and competitions. Is this the year you will enter for the first time? Or to bring an, as yet, unseen project to light? Or to think about what new films you might create in 2024 …

But first, with a quick pause for thought (or maybe to take the actions suggested) – here is a throwback to a lovely little film posted on Moving Poems way back in 2012.

And now, here are the major festivals for poetry films coming up for entry (linked to their FilmFreeway page where you will find more details). Some were first posted earlier when the calls initially went out (but a reminder that the deadline is coming up closer), and others are fresh!

• Cadence – deadlines 15 January / 5 February
  Event: April, Seattle USA
• REELpoetry – final deadline 22 January
  Event: April, Houston USA
• Weimar Poetry Film Award – deadline 31 January
  Event: May/June, Weimar Germany
• International Video Poetry Festival in Athens – deadline 1 February
  Event: April, Athens Greece
• Les Instants Video – deadline 15 March
  Event: October, Marseille France
• Midwest Video Poetry Fest – deadlines 1 May /  1 June
  Event: October, Madison Wisconsin USA

Remember to check all the rules of entry carefully to make sure you comply (or it is just irritating for the organisers), and make your own judgements on whether to enter.  These are all established events, but be aware that there are some dodgy festivals out there that have little merit in getting your film exposed to an interested audience but will take hefty sums in entry fees.

No need to rush it either … festivals and deadlines are an ongoing roll, and if you miss one, there will always be another festival or another year that comes along. Often there is a long or an unlimited timeframe in which a completed film will be eligible, and no impact if you don’t get on the case immediately.

Read more about entering festivals in this past interview with Adam Stone on Moving Poems.

Wishing everyone good luck in 2024!