8th Annual Mystic Film Festival
October 2nd – 5th, 2025
Mystic Film Festival is a grassroots celebration of independent filmmaking that brings together storytellers, artists, and audiences in a shared love of cinema. Showcasing feature-length and short narrative films and documentaries from around the world, the festival creates a space where diverse voices can be heard and meaningful conversations can take root. Through screenings, filmmaker Q&As, workshops, and community events, we aim to connect people through the power of story and the craft of filmmaking.
Now in its eighth year, the festival will take place October 2–5, 2025, across venues in Mystic, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. Our cornerstone venue, Mystic Luxury Cinemas in Olde Mistick Village, hosts opening night, which proudly features films made by local filmmakers and celebrates the talent within our own community. The festival closes with our annual awards celebration, honoring standout independent films in every category. This year, we are expanding our submission categories to welcome an even wider range of stories and filmmakers.
Our Unproduced Screenplay Competition, now entering its fifth year, has become a highlight of the festival, shining a light on emerging screenwriters and fostering connections within the indie filmmaking community. With expanded categories for 2025, the competition continues to champion fresh voices and original storytelling. Winners will be announced live at the festival, underscoring our commitment to supporting creators at every stage of the filmmaking process.
Founded by local filmmakers and artists, Mystic Film Festival was created to nurture New England talent, champion films made in Connecticut, and bring unique independent voices from around the world to our coastal community.
Get your tickets for this year’s festival here: https://mysticfilmfestival2025.eventive.org/welcome
Mystic, Connecticut
A Destination Festival
Situated between New York City and Boston, Mystic offers the perfect backdrop for a festival rooted in creativity and connection. Known for its maritime heritage and thriving arts scene, the town blends history, artistry, and local flavor through fresh local oysters, craft breweries, and vineyards tucked along the shoreline, as well as a vibrant farm-to-table dining tradition. Visitors can wander its historic neighborhoods, explore the harbor, discover local galleries, and experience the warm, welcoming spirit of this unique New England community.
Mystic is easily accessible by car and train, with Tweed New Haven Regional Airport and T.F. Green International Airport less than an hour away, and Bradley International Airport just over an hour’s drive.
Mystic Film Festival Awards
The Mystic Film Festival Jury will recognize the top films in competition.
Best Narrative Feature
Best Feature Documentary
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best International Narrative Feature
Best International Feature Documentary
Best International Narrative Short
Best International Documentary Short
Best New Director
Best New England Film
Best Conservation Film
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Student Film
Human Rights Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Audience Choice Award
Grand Jury Prize Narrative Feature
Grand Jury Prize Narrative Short
Grand Jury Prize Feature Documentary
Grand Jury Prize Documentary Short
Best Screenplay Narrative Feature
Best Screenplay Narrative Short
Thank you to our sponsors and partners. We appreciate your support of the Mystic Film Festival!
