LOW BUDGE, NO BUDGE FILM FEST

Portland, ME. April 16, 2026

“Opening Night” by Bret Woodard

SUBMISSIONS FOR 2026 FEST ARE CLOSED

Eligibility:

All genres are welcome: Narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, music videos and everything in between.
We accept short films (0-40 minutes).

Your film must be low budget (under $20k) or no budget.
The Festival is open to all filmmakers worldwide. However, for films in languages other than English we ask you include English subtitles.

We know that even a little support can go a long way for indie filmmakers.

That’s why the winning film of each night will receive:

🎥 A cash prize of $500 – because every great filmmaker deserves a little funding for their next project.

🌿🥇 Low budge laurels! – for the best of each category.

Think you’ve got the next great low-budget masterpiece? Submit your film and take your shot.

🏆 All selected films will be featured on the festival website and social media.

The Low Budge, No Budge Film Fest was created to discover and showcase the power of creativity in film making, regardless of budget.

Focusing on celebrating short films made with limited or no financial resources, proving that strong storytelling doesn’t rely on a big paycheck.

To help support your next creative projects, two best films of the night will receive $500.

The film fest will be held on April 16th, 2026 in Portland, Maine.

April 16, 2026

Inventive storytelling: If you turned constraints into creative choices, we want to see it.
Strong vision: We don’t care if it was shot on an old camcorder or a phone, if it feels like cinema, we’re in.
Authenticity: We love films that have heart, originality, and an undeniable indie spirit.