In anticipation of The Audience Awards’ Music on Film competition in May, we have compiled a list of our favorite music film festivals. From festivals featuring music videos to rockumentaries, these festivals are presenting the best in the collaborative film and music genre.
Reel Music Portland, Oregon
October 2015
Reel Music is the North West Film Center’s annual expose exploring the “interplay between sound and image, music and culture.” Reel Music features vintage performance clips, documentaries, music videos and animation while encompassing the jazz, blues, rock, classical, opera and avant-garde musical genres.
Image courtesy of Media Inc.
Nordic Music Video Awards Oslo, Norway
May 23, 2015
This May 23, the Nordic Video Awards launches its second annual event in Norway’s capital. NMVA focuses solely on Nordic music videos and shows the value of music videos as an independent art form.
James Blake ‘Retrograde,’ Winner of Best Cinematography at the 2014 Nordic Music Video Awards:
Austin Music Video Festival Austin, Texas
September 17-19, 2015
Austin now has a festival dedicated solely to music videos. In anticipation for its inaugural event this September, The Austin Music Video Festival is hosting a launch party Friday, February 20. If you have a music video to submit, their call for entries is open until August 7.
Photo of 2015 Austin Music Video Festival Launch Party/ courtesy of Facebook.
Berlin Music Video Awards Berlin, Germany
May 26-30, 2015
The Berlin Music Video Awards’ influence in the music and video industry continues to rise in Europe and abroad with its presentation of live shows, workshops, full-length screenings, award ceremonies and after parties. Bringing together musicians, filmmakers, producers and directors whose shared passion is music videos, the third annual BMVA, is a major event in Germany’s capital. BMVA’ s late submissions deadline is April 1, 2015.
2015 BMVA promotional video:
Northam Film and Music Festival Columbus, Ohio
April 11, 2015
The Northam Film and Music Festival is a community that brings together storytelling, music and people who love the arts. The festival is celebrating its second year this spring. Filmmakers, you can submit your films until March 30.
Photo courtesy of Kickstarter.
Festival Sayulita Sayulita, Mexico
January, 2016
“Film, spirits, food, music and surf” all in the idyllic Mexican town of Sayulita is Festival Sayulita. The highlight events for the festival include “spirits and food pairings, master tastings, beach-front film venues, private screenings, surf competition, and live music.”
Video for Festival Sayulita 2015:
Noise Pop San Francisco, California
February 20- March 1, 2015
Celebrating 23 years this month, The Noise Pop Festival is San Fran’s “favorite indie music, arts and film festival.” Indie bands such as the White Stripes, Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, Bright Eyes, Best Coast, Jeff Tweedy, The Dodos, Girls and Antony and The Johnsons all have gained early exposure at Noise Pop. The film aspect of Noise Pop “explores the intersection of music and art.”
Image courtesy of The Bay Bridged.
The Scruffy City Film & Music Festival Knoxville, Tennessee
April 28- May 3, 2015
Formerly known as the Knoxville Film & Music Festival, this music and film fest celebrates five days of live regional music, music videos, music docs and feature and short films with a “strong musical narrative.” Film Score is an additional aspect of the festival, that “celebrates the musical heart and soul of film, and the composers and artists that make films sing.”
Michael Stag, director of Scruffy City Film & Music Festival on NBC news:
Boomtown Film & Music Festival Beaumont, Texas
February 26-28, 2015
Where film and music meet, The Boomtown Film & Music Festival is where musicians, filmmakers and lovers of both art forms go to see independent films and musicians. This February the festival celebrates eight years and will be handing out awards for the best experimental/ music video, documentaries among others.
Image courtesy of Boomtown Film Festival.
MUVI Montreal Music Video Festival Montreal, Quebec
November, 2015
Innovative and unique, MUVI is not just screening music videos, it is incorporating “dance, comedy, visual arts, costumes, plastic arts and storytelling” into its program. Their call for entries opens May 29.
Arcade Fire ‘Just a Reflector,’ directed by Vincent Morisset, winner of 2014 Best Music Video
Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival Jerome, Arizona
June 12-14, 2015
This destination film festival, hosted in what was once known as the wickedest town in the American West, embraces all things indie. Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival has open submissions until April 10 and the summer event’s bands and musicians will be announced this April.
Promotional video from 2014 Jerome Indie Film & Music Festival:
Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival Dublin, Ireland
October 8-11, 2015
The Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival provides a platform for both filmmakers and musicians to collaborate. With live performances and networking for filmmakers, the festival generates exposure for all involved. Submissions are open until August 5.
Photo courtesy of Facebook.
A3C Hip Hop Festival Atlanta, Georgia
October 7-11, 2015
A3C Festival, which stands for all three coasts, may focus on hip-hop music, but it is also a cultural experience that includes film, art, education, style, pro-audio as well as music. Founded in 2005, the festival has grown from a regional showcase to a multiple day internationally celebrated event.
Photo courtesy of A3C.
Render: The Vancouver International Music Video Festival Vancouver, Canada
November, 2015
“Innovative and cutting-edge music videos” are Render Festival’s focus. Render wants to rid music videos of the stereotype that they are simply a supplement to music. The musical styles are diverse at Render, as are the filmmakers ranging from independent, commercial, emerging and established filmmakers.
Image courtesy of Facebook.
Northwest Heat Music Video Festival Bellingham, Washington
July 13-17, 2015
Celebrating its second year this summer, The Northwest Heat Music Video Festival showcases the talented musicians and filmmakers in the Pacific Northwest. “Northwest Heat is designed to celebrate the art of feeling and energy. The festival event is not just a screening or awards show; but a full-blown concert extravaganza overflowing with excitement, sound, and power.” The festival culminates with an awards screening and concerts featuring bands local to Bellingham. Late deadline for film submissions is July 1, 2015.
Photo Courtesy of Tad Beavers Photography.
Submit your music short to the Music on Film Competition today. The competition begins May 12, 2015 and offers $350 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd place and $50 for 3rd.
The Audience Awards is film’s social network connecting audiences to films, filmmakers, film schools and film festivals. The Audience Awards hosts short film competitions where the audience chooses the best films.
