Submissions run through FilmFreeway. Here's what each category covers, who's judging it, and what happens after you submit.
Judged by an internationally multi-awarded composer, orchestrator, and sound designer. Feedback here is vital, targeted industry insight on your score.
Jorge holds a master's degree in animation, with work selected in 300+ festivals and 125+ awards globally. His feedback is masterful and specific.
Judged by panelists who are genuine fans of the genre — comedy is fan-driven, and this category is judged that way.
Same principle as Comedy — diehard genre fans on the panel, for a market that thrives on fan feedback and can be made on a low budget with strong returns.
A category Leisa created herself, for films using emerging technology — AI and CGI woven into the storytelling — approached with real artistic method, not novelty.
Don founded the Cunningham Film Archive out of a lifelong love of classic film. This category was created after his short "The Castle of Baron Finch" won LLFF in 2025.
Add either of these as a second category on your FilmFreeway submission if you'd like your film considered here too.
If you submit to Best Original Score and Best Short, you'll get two sets of notes — one on the score itself, one on the writing, shots, and everything that makes a short work. Each is scored against what that category actually looks for.
Feedback generally comes back within a week of submitting. Because you're able to edit your film after submission, submitting early gives you room to apply notes before your final cut.
New for 2026 — every category winner receives our exclusive Luna Laurel Award. Winning films screen on our OTT platform, and we network through IMDb and AFM to give winners real industry exposure. Winners also get free access to our workshops for a full year.