This year at Frame by Frame, we are excited to honor the work of filmmakers and writers through our Film & Pitch Competition.
Submissions are currently open for late submission through July 15, 2026.
Notification date for late submissions will be July 20, 2026.
Film Categories (projects already produced):
- Feature Film
- Series Pilot
- Series / Limited Series Season Showcase
- Vertical Short Micro Drama
- Vertical Short Series Season Showcase
NOTE: We are looking for NARRATIVE projects, not docuseries, live / reality television, etc.
Projects submitted will be considered for Grand Jury and all Craft awards, as appropriate, no additional submission necessary.
Grand Jury Awards
Projects may receive awards including:
• Best Feature Film
• Best Series Pilot
• Best Series Season
• Best Vertical Micro Drama
• Best Vertical Series
Craft Awards
Additional honors may include:
• Best Director
• Best Screenplay
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Best Performance
• Best Ensemble Cast
• Best Vertical Innovation
Additional awards may be presented at the discretion of the jury.
Winners receive official festival laurels and trophies presented at the Frame by Frame Festival Gala.
To submit: Upload your film to an online platform (such as google drive) and provide the link on this submission page. Be sure the permissions are set to "everyone with the link can view".
Screenplay / Pitch Competition Categories:
- Feature Film or Series Pilot--Production Consideration
- Feature Film or Series Pilot--NON Production Consideration
The Screenplay & Pitch Competition winners in each category will receive:
- $500 Cash Prize
- Award Plaque
- Official Laurels
The Production Consideration project winner will also have their project developed and produced on a $20,000 budget through Katharsis Media.
Selection of winners for the Screenplay & Pitch Competition:
Up to FOUR finalists in each of the two categories will be selected as finalists and invited to pitch their project to the committee live at the Frame by Frame Festival on July 25th. If possible, pitches should be in person, but virtual pitching will be accommodated for out of state participants.
Both Production Consideration and NON-Production Consideration projects will receive live feedback on their pitches from the panel and possibly written feedback after.
For the Production-Consideration Category, we are seeking a feature film or series pilot to produce (Summer 2027) within the following parameters:
- Feature Film: A modern-set film no longer than 90 minutes using found locations, with minimal special effects and a small cast.
- Pilot episode of a Series or Limited Series: also set in modern times with similar budget-friendly parameters.
Eligibility
Open to creators of all experience levels.
Projects must align with one of the following categories:
- Production Consideration: Feature Film or Series Pilot: Feature films must be 90 pages or less; pilots between 25-60 pages.
- Non-Production Consideration: Feature Film or Series Pilot (e.g., fantasy, period pieces, or high-budget concepts not suited for this production budget). Feature films must be 120 pages or less; pilots between 25-60 pages.
For BOTH SCREENPLAY CATEGORIES, completed scripts and pitch decks are required for submission.
To submit: Upload your script (for production categories) and pitch deck (for all categories) to an online folder (such as google drive) and provide the link on this submission page. Be sure the permissions are set to "everyone with the link can view".
Frame by Frame Film & Pitch Competition
By submitting a project to the Frame by Frame Film Festival and Pitch Competition, the submitter acknowledges and agrees to the following terms.
Eligibility
The competition is open to creators 18 years of age or older, from all experience levels.
Projects must be original works owned by the submitter. Adaptations must include proof that the submitter holds the necessary rights to the underlying material.
Katharsis Media reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet eligibility requirements.
Submission Categories
Submissions must fall within one of the following categories:
Film Festival Categories
• Feature Film
• Series / Episodic Pilot
• Series / Limited Series – Season Showcase
• Vertical Short Micro Drama
• Vertical Short Series – Season ShowcaseTraditional short films are not accepted outside of the vertical storytelling categories.
Screenplay & Pitch Competition Categories
• Feature Film or Series Pilot (production consideration)
• Feature film or Series Pilot (non-production consideration)Film Festival Submission Requirements
Projects submitted to the film festival must have been completed within the past two years.
All films must be in English or include English subtitles.
Submissions must be provided digitally through link sharing of an online platform (like google drive / youtube).
If selected, filmmakers grant the Frame by Frame Film Festival permission to screen the project during festival programming.
Selected projects may be screened:
• In person
• As part of festival programming eventsThe festival may use clips, stills, and trailers from accepted projects for promotional purposes.
Submitters confirm they hold all rights necessary for exhibition, including music, talent releases, and copyright permissions.
Screenplay & Pitch Competition Submission Requirements
All Screenplay & Pitch competition submissions must include the following materials:
• A completed script (PDF)
• A detailed pitch deck (PDF)Finalists must be able to attend (virtually or in person) the final Pitch Event on July 25, 2026. Time TBD.
Up to Four finalists from each category will be selected.
Finalists will present their projects live or virtually before a panel of industry professionals and receive feedback on their pitch presentations and visual decks.
Finalists must confirm attendance for the pitch event if selected.
Attendance (virtually or in person) is required for screenplay & pitch competition finalists.
The winner in the production consideration category will also have their projects fully produced by Katharsis Media.
Winning projects receive:
• Full-scale (micro-budget) production support including cast, crew, equipment, and post-production
• “Created by” or “Story by” credit on the finished production
• A copy of the final cut of the project
• Opportunity to be present during the production process
• Festival submissions with promotional and marketing support
• Broadcast on the New Mexico Education Channel (Comcast 96) after festival runs
• 10% of net profits if the project is picked up for distribution with monetary compensationWinning creator will enter into a separate production agreement outlining production roles, compensation, and intellectual property terms.
Fees
Submission fees are non-refundable.Submission does not guarantee acceptance into the festival or advancement in the pitch competition.
Acceptance of Terms
By submitting a project, the entrant confirms they have read, understood, and agreed to all festival rules and submission requirements.
For questions regarding the Pitch Competition, contact
info@katharsismedia.org
with the subject line: “FRAME BY FRAME COMPETITION QUESTION”.Katharsis Media reserves the right to modify award categories, combine categories, or decline to present an award in any category if the number or quality of submissions does not meet the standards of the festival.
