Dear Asian filmmakers, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (USA) is accepting documentaries until July 15, 2026.

About the festival:
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival is the longest running non-fiction festival in North America. HSDFF offers multiple awards categories, and is a designated Academy-Award© -qualifying festival for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Documentary Short Subject.

Eligibility:
– The festival accepts feature documentaries (over 40 minutes), short documentaries (below 40 minutes), and episodic series.
– Feature and short documentary films completed after September, 1 2025.
– Films that are available on VOD or a streaming platform may not be eligible for competition at the festival. HSDFF will decide on a case by case basis about competition status.
– Feature length films that have been released theatrically or broadcast on television nationally prior to the festival will be considered for non-competitive sections only under special circumstances determined by the festival.
– Films not in English must be subtitled with English subtitles.
– Entry fees are non-refundable.
– Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
– Submission Fees and Deadlines:

– Notification Date: September 30, 2026

We recommend filmmakers to read the full Rules and Regulations here: https://filmfreeway.com/HotSpringsDocumentaryFilmFestival (This is also the submission link)

We remind readers that the 35th Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival will take place from October 9 – 17, 2026 in Hot Springs, AR, United States.

Looking for a festival distributor? Learn more about our services here

To see other Calls please follow the next link: “Call For Entries”.