RestFest Film Festival is a virtual film & video art festival created by/for Crip, Disabled, Deaf, Chronically ill, Neurodivergent, and/or Mad folks worldwide.
RestFest is a festival entirely accessible from bed, embracing Crip Time.

RestFest is a community initiative, programmed & organized by a small team of Disabled, Neurodivergent, Chronically ill, Mad, and Queer artists.

To learn about the kind of work we program, visit: https://www.restfestfilmfestival.org/2026-film/video-programs

Rules & Terms
*At least one director and/or screenwriter of your film must identify as Crip, Disabled, d/Deaf, Chronically ill, Neurodivergent, Mentally ill, and/or Mad.

*Short films of any genre and video art (30 min or less) are invited to be submitted. If you feel your work fits outside of these categories and you would like to submit, please reach out.

*Films do NOT have to be about Disability or illness, but they can be. Note: we are not interested in Super Crip narratives, such as stories about "overcoming" disability or being in the service of Inspiration Porn.

*No use of Generative AI.

*Submission fees are optional donations to help us make the festival happen. To opt out of this donation, please use code “RFF27SUBMISSION” at checkout. The use of this fee waiver will not impact the judging process.

IMPORTANT:
*Unless explicitly said in your submission form, if selected, you will be required to provide Captioning AND Audio Descriptions (a separate audio file created as an access measure for Blind and Low Vision audiences) for your film. If you need guidance or help with creating these access measures, we ask that you explicitly note this in your submission form and email for more information.
**Audio Descriptions (AD) / Descriptive Audio can be done either as:
- Synchronous AD (An audio file in which visuals are described as they are happening), or
- Asynchronous/Introductory AD (Generally white text on a black screen spoken aloud shown before the film begins)
If you have any questions or concerns about this, please do not hesitate to reach out.
More information provided on RestFest's website.
Information about synchronous AD: https://youtu.be/i_GrYOruY7w?si=MGVe5-jRMsmscLNR
Example of Asynchronous/Introductory AD: https://youtu.be/YDiCTLk-7tM
**Captioning must include descriptions of sounds in addition to any dialogue.

*Works in progress may be submitted, but it must be made clear that it is a work in progress and final versions must be submitted by the late deadline.

*A submission indicates that you understand and agree to all rules and regulations, and permission to exhibit your work virtually for the duration of the festival. All films will be taken down at the end of the festival.

*By submitting your film, you grant our festival the use of materials and images related to the project for the marketing purposes of our festival.

*You are duly authorized, on your behalf and on the behalf of any person or entity that has ownership rights in the work, to submit it to the Festival and you represent that this submission is not in violation of any law nor violates any right of said person or entity.

*Filmmakers certify they have the rights to music used in their films.

*Festival dates are subject to change.

*There is no restriction on completion date, premiere status, country, genre, subject matter, or public availability of your film.

*All film submissions must be of the highest technical quality possible for your film.

*Films of all languages are accepted, but if there is any dialogue in a language other than English, it must have English subtitles.

*No proof of Disability status will be required.