LIGHTREEL DISCOVERY
Two filmmakers. Two nights. One festival. A script or an idea, carried all the way to opening and closing night of the 2027 Lightreel Film Festival.
SKIP THE PITCH. MAKE THE MOVIE.
LightReel Discovery is a contest for short narrative scripts (23 pages or less) — original, fictional stories told through character and conflict, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It's not a venue for documentaries, music videos, or experimental or abstract work; it's built for storytelling in its most traditional form, on a short film's scale. Winners get a direct path from page to premiere: your story, finished and shown.
What's at stake
Winning means a fully realized production, not just recognition.
Full production funding
Covering equipment, locations, costumes, cast, and post-production — provided by LightReel Discovery and originalFlix.
A professional crew
Cinematographers, editors, and technicians assigned to support your vision from production through delivery.
Directorial debut
Your short film, developed from your submitted script or idea — your vision.
A festival premiere
One winner opens the 2027 LightReel Film Festival; the other closes it — in front of a live festival audience.
Who can enter
Open to filmmakers at any stage of their career. Whether submitting a completed script or a developed idea, selection is based solely on the strength of your entry—not your resume.
How it works
From submission to premiere, in six steps.
(01)
Submit
Enter your short film script (23 pages or less) during the entry window. Ideas are limited to 2 pages max.
(02)
Committee review
Entries are evaluated for originality, craft, and production potential.
(03)
Narrowed to the Top 100
The full pool of entries is broken down to the 100 strongest scripts and ideas.
(04)
Narrowed to the Top 10
The Top 100 is narrowed further to 10 finalists.
(05)
Two winners selected
Chosen from the Top 10 to write and direct their short films, with full crew and funding support.
(06)
Premiere
The two winning films premiere at the 2027 LightReel Film Festival — one as the opener, one as the closer.
Key Dates
Oct 19, 2026
Contest window opens
Jan 29, 2027
Contest window closes
Feb 12, 2027
Top 100 notified
Feb 19, 2027
Top 10 notified
Feb 26, 2027
Winners announced
June 3 - 5, 2027
LightReel Film Festival — opening and closing night premieres
RULES
CONTEST GUIDELINES
Here's a summary of how LightReel Discovery works.
ELIGIBILITY
- Open to filmmakers at any stage — first-timers and veterans alike.
- No resume or prior credits required.
- Open only to legal residents of the 50 US States and Territories, ages 18+.
SUBMISSIONS
- A completed short film script, submitted as written, no longer than 23 pages.
- A treatment/developed concept, no longer then 2 pages.
- No limit on entries — submit as many scripts or ideas as you like.
- Entry fee: $75.00 per submission.
SELECTION
- Judged on originality, craft, and production potential.
- Pool narrowed to Top 100, then Top 10 finalists.
- Two winners selected for full production support.
BENEFITS
- Full production funding and a professional crew provided.
- Opening or closing premiere at the 2027 LightReel Film Festival.
Governing Law: These guidelines are governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Read the full official rules for complete terms.
About the presenters
LightReel Film Festival
A premier showcase for independent and emerging cinema, dedicated to spotlighting bold new voices in filmmaking.
OriginalFlix
A streaming platform committed to original storytelling, championing creators who bring fresh perspectives to the screen.