Welcome to the 1st annual B!TCHFEST: An International Women’s & LGBTQIA+ Film Festival & Screenplay Contest with a groundbreaking in-person event for both Filmmakers and Screenwriters in the heart of Los Angeles. At B!tchFest we’re not just breaking glass ceilings; we’re shattering them into a million pieces by unleashing the Power of Female and LGBTQIA+ Voices in Film and Television!

Get ready for a cinematic celebration that’s not just a festival – it’s a movement. B!tchFest is on a mission to redefine the narrative by proudly showcasing the BEST Independent Films, Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, Animated Films, Student Films, Music Videos, Pilots, Web Series, Screenplays, TV Scripts, and Stage Plays crafted by the most Badass Women and LGBTQIA+ Creators in the industry.

In a world where only 26% of key production roles belong to women and a mere 16% of major studio films flaunt LGBTQIA+ characters, B!tchFest is determined to rewrite the script. We invite you to be a part of a whirlwind Film Festival featuring empowering stories, fierce creativity, and unapologetic voices at the forefront of cinema.

By providing a platform for recognition, awards, and promotion; we aim to break barriers, amplify voices, and pave the way for a more inclusive entertainment industry. Join us for a festival that goes beyond screenings—promote yourself and your projects during live panels, flaunt your creations to cheering audiences, walk the red carpet, and forge connections with leading industry trailblazers who share our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Our esteemed panel of award-winning industry professionals including directors, producers, agents, managers, executives, and casting directors will meticulously assess all film and screenplay submissions. The top contenders are then forwarded on to our executive industry judges, from various sectors within the entertainment and publishing industries, for final evaluations to determine the winners for each category.

The B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest is set to take place at the WhiteFire Theatre on Ventura Blvd in Los Angeles on November 24, 2024. The winning screenwriters and filmmakers will join our red carpet event, screen their creations in front of a live audience, snag trophies at our awards ceremony, participate in panel discussions that are recorded and streamed on our website for promotion, and engage in an industry meet-and-greet event aimed at making new connections.

Your story starts here— together we can make cinema HERstory! Submit your film or screenplay today and be part of a revolution that refuses to be silent.

The B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest is set to take place at the WhiteFire Theatre on Ventura Blvd in Los Angeles on November 24, 2024. The winning screenwriters and filmmakers will join our red carpet event, screen their creations in front of a live audience, snag trophies at our awards ceremony, participate in panel discussions that are recorded and streamed on our website for promotion, and engage in an industry meet-and-greet event aimed at making new connections.

Your story starts here— together we can make cinema HERstory! Submit your film or screenplay today and be part of a revolution that refuses to be silent.

AWARDS & PRIZES
SCREENWRITING AWARDS:
Best Feature Screenplay (60 - 140 Pages)
Best Short Screenplay (Under 60 Pages)
Best LGBTQIA+ Screenplay (Any Length)
Best First-Time Screenwriter Screenplay (Any Length)
Best TV Pilot Script (1/2 Hour or 1 Hour Script Format)
Best Web Series Script (Up to 60 Pages)
Best Stage Play Script (Any Length)

FILM AWARDS:
Best Feature Film (60+ minutes)
Best Short Film (1 - 60 minutes)
Best Documentary Film (Any Length)
Best Student Film (Any Length)
Best LGBTQIA + Film (Any Length)
Best Animation Film (Any Length)
Best TV Pilot Episode (1/2 Hour or 1 Hour Format)
Best Web Series Episode (Up to 60 minutes)
Best Music Video (1 - 30 minutes)
Best Short Social Content Video (5 minutes or less)

The entry fee is applicable per category. By submitting your film to the categories of Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Animation Film, Best Student Film, Best LGBTQIA+ Film, Best Music Video, Best TV Pilot Episode, Best Web Series Episode, and Best Social Content Video, it not only qualifies your project for festival consideration but it also enables your Cast and Crew to be considered for additional accolades, free of charge.

CAST & CREW AWARDS:
Best of Festival / Grand Jury Award Winner
Best Actress / Actor
Best Supporting Actress / Actor
Best Director
Best Producer
Best Edit/VFX
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Costume
Best Hair & Makeup
Best Original Score

Winners of all Film Category Awards will have a live screening of their film at the in-person festival on November 24, 2024 at the WhiteFire Theatre in Los Angeles.

Trophy’s will be awarded in-person to all winners of the Film Category Awards, Screenplay Category Awards, and Cast and Crew Awards during the Festival Awards Ceremony. These winners will also be invited to speak about their project during the Festival’s Live-Recorded Panel which will stream on our website for promotion, take professional photos on the Red Carpet and attend the Industry Meet-And-Greet Event aimed at making new connections. Additionally, all Official Selections and Winners will receive two complimentary tickets to the festival.

The Best of Festival / Grand Jury Award Winner, Best Feature Film Winner, and Best LGBTQIA + Film Winner will receive a 1-Hour Zoom Mentorship Meeting with one of our Executive Film Industry Judges.

The Best Feature Screenplay Winner, Best Short Screenplay Winner, and Best LGBTQIA+ Screenplay Winner will receive a 1-Hour Zoom Mentorship Meeting with one of our Executive Screenwriting Industry Judges where they will get feedback on their script and advice on how to move the screenplay into production and gain distribution.

The Winner of Best Actress/Actor and Best Supporting Actress/Actor will receive a 1-Hour Zoom Meeting with a Casting Director from Tiffany Company Casting and free admission to TCC’s next scheduled Virtual Acting Workshop.

We welcome you to the B!tchFest family — where Badass B!tches reign supreme!

For consideration, projects should feature at least one WOMAN in a key production role, such as the Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Lead Actress, ect. Screenplays authored by WOMEN are preferred; however, if written by a man, the script must include at least one FEMALE lead character for submission. While projects helmed by men are welcome, they must either showcase a female protagonist or revolve around women's issues and themes to be eligible.

For LGBTQIA+ category submissions, projects should feature at least one LGBTQIA+ person in a key production role, such as the Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Lead Actor/Actress, ect. Screenplays, to qualify, must either include one LGBTQIA+ character, be authored by a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, or the storyline must prominently involve LGBTQIA+ issues and themes.

We wish you a B!TCHIN' time on your filmmaking & screenwriting journey and we hope to see you at the the 1st annual B!tchFest!!!