In its seventh year, Wolf Tree Film Festival will showcase and celebrate short films of all genres. This year, the festival will also include Michigan Music Video Awards categories.
All films and videos must be set in the Great Lakes region, include themes or topics related to the region, or be the work of filmmakers or musicians who reside in or grew up in the Great Lakes region.*
Submitted films should be no longer than 30 minutes and music videos should be no longer than 6 minutes. All genres will be considered.
IMPORTANT: Please do not submit films or music videos that do not meet the above criteria.
The festival will include screenings of each selected film and music video, an awards presentation, meet and greet, and a filmmaker roundtable.
The Wolf Tree Film Festival takes place in historic Marshall, Michigan, a gorgeous small town with a vibrant artistic community. Hosted by the Franke Center for the Arts and Marshall’s Youngish Professionals Committee, the festival is held at The Franke Center, originally a church built in 1921, now an arts complex that is the proud home of world-class concerts and inspiring theater.
Why “Wolf Tree?” According to legend, the Wolf Tree was a lone, prominent tree that once stood in the middle of Marshall. The first settlers in the area sought refuge in the heights of the tree as wolves and bears roamed the dirt lane and forest that would one day become the city’s downtown. Later, a platform was built in the large oak’s branches where it is said a sentry, seeking the faint glow of wolves’ eyes, would hunt, eager to protect the village from threats hidden in the darkness below. It is a wild history, a bold story, and a great homage to the films that will be featured at this exciting annual event.
*The Great Lakes region is defined as any state or territory that touches one of the Great Lakes (including Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York).
The festival will adhere to all public health and safety recommendations at the time of the event.
Awards & Prizes
A juried award will be presented for Best of Festival and Video of the Year. Additional juried awards may be added prior to the festival, pending film and music video entries.
An Audience Choice award will also be given.
All award winners may receive a physical award.
Submit My FilmRules & Terms
IMPORTANT: Films and music videos must be set in the Great Lakes region OR include themes or topics related to the region OR be the work of filmmakers or musicians who reside in or grew up in the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes region is defined as any state or territory that touches one of the Great Lakes (including Ontario, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York). Submitted films should be no longer than 30 minutes and music videos should be no longer than 6 minutes. Please do not submit your work unless it meets these criteria.
Films and videos are accepted only through electronic submission via FilmFreeway. Application fee is $5.
More than one entry may be submitted, however each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.
All rights must be held by the individual making the submission and/or legal documentation must be provided that permission has been given by the copyright holder of the film to be shown as part of the festival.
Film and video submission grants Wolf Tree the right to screen your film or video in front of a live audience as well as part of a live stream during and at the festival, if applicable.
Films and videos selected for screening will be notified via email. Awards will be determined by a juried panel (prior to the festival) and/or audience selection (at the festival). Awards will be presented the night of the festival and shared through various media channels following the festival.
Wolf Tree reserves the right to promote clips/stills from your film or video on social media, based on the press kit(s) provided upon film submission/selection.
Wolf Tree retains the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed ASAP about any changes through our online platforms/email.
Wolf Tree places no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.
Any technical issues with the submitted films or videos are 100% the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, the video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), or doesn’t meet submission criteria, it will be automatically rejected without refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process and a solution will be found.
Wolf Tree will not provide submission refunds.
By submitting to Wolf Tree filmmakers agree to the noted terms and conditions. Wolf Tree reserves the right to update our terms and conditions. Upon update, each submitting party will be notified.
