Submissions

July 12-15 / Memphis, Tennessee

Thank you for your interest in the Anthem Libertarian Film Festival. We welcome short and feature-length films about individuality, choice, accountability, self-reliance, and the unintended consequences of government intrusion.

Ignite Freedom Through Film

We’re looking for the year’s best films about personal and civil liberty. We seek movies and documentaries about self-reliance, innovation, entrepreneurship, individual rights, and the triumph of persuasion over force. Libertarian films often point out the unintended consequences of government intervention, but they’re just as likely to be about a protagonist’s personal struggle for self-expression or self-reliance. Libertarian stories can be found in any family, community, or industry. Our best heroes create their own paths; they don’t conform to the expectations of others. When something goes wrong, they fix it themselves. When something goes right, they give credit where it’s due. Libertarian films show us how to make the world a better place simply by making our own lives better.

Stars Are Born

We’re proud of the films that have won awards at Anthem, and have loved watching the careers of our Anthem alumni blossom. Here are a few of our winners you might recognize: Little Pink House, Courtney Balaker, director;  Can We Take a Joke? Ted Balaker, director; The Cartel, Bob Bowdon, director; Cool It! Ondi Timoner, director; Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt?, John Aglialoro, producer; Poverty, Inc., Michael Matheson Miller, director; America: Imagine a World without Her, Dinesh D’Souza, director; Raiders: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made, Tim Skousen and Jeremy Coon, directors Afghan translator Saber Rock became a rock star at Anthem, winning Best Short Doc and the Special Jury Prize for Heroism. The film went on to win an Emmy for directors Matthew and Thomas Locastro.

Submission Categories

U.S. Narrative

  • 40-105 minutes
  • at least 51% funded by U.S. sources

U.S. Documentary

  • 40-90 minutes
  • at least 51% funded by U.S. sources

International Narrative

  • 40-105 minutes
  • at least 51% funded by non-U.S. sources
  • English dubbed or subtitles

International Documentary

  • 40-90 minutes
  • at least 51% funded by non-U.S. sources
  • English dubbed or subtitles

Short narratives

  • under 40 minutes
  • English dubbed or subtitles

Short documentaries

  • under 40 minutes
  • English dubbed or subtitles

Submission Dates & Fees

Early Bird DeadlineJanuary 6, 2023$25
Regular DeadlineFebruary 6, 2023$35
Late DeadlineMarch 6, 2023$50
Extended DeadlineApril 6, 2023$70

FilmFreeway Gold members receive a 25% discount.

The Fine Print

Applications and entry fees will be accepted through FilmFreeway

Films may be submitted through secured Vimeo link.

Selections will be made and submitters notified by April 26. Anthem reserves the right to cancel selections if we discover inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or copyright infringements that are not resolved by the filmmaker. 

All selected filmmakers receive two all access passes to Anthem Film Festival including the opening night cocktail extravaganza, all general sessions and breakout sessions, the filmmakers reception and master class, and the Gala Saturday Night awards banquet and dance. Filmmakers also receive two tickets to Freedom Fest. Additional tickets may be purchased at a discount using a special Filmmakers discount code.

Films are screened at the Resanant Convention Center
Memphis, Tennessee, July 12-15, 2023.

Films are judged according to their production quality, which includes cinematography, music, editing, lighting, acting, and general storytelling, and their adherence to libertarian themes of individuality, choice and accountability.

Trophies are awarded for Best Overall, Excellence in Filmmaking, and Best Libertarian Theme in each category: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Narrative, and Short Documentary. Trophies are also awarded for Audience Choice.

What Are You Waiting for?

Submit your film to the Anthem Film Festival, and get ready for the time of your life.

We are pleased to use FilmFreeway as our submissions platform.
FilmFreeway offers free HD online screeners, unlimited video storage, digital press kits, and more.