American West Film Fest Opens Inaugural Event Submissions

RATON, N.M. - Aug. 19, 2026 - PRLog -- The American West Film Fest has officially opened its call for submissions for its inaugural 2026–2027 season. Designed to celebrate the ingenuity of independent filmmakers, the festival is now accepting entries for both feature-length and short films exclusively through FilmFreeway.

Founded by veteran Colorado independent filmmaker Elizabeth Holloway, the American West Film Fest is dedicated to showcasing innovative, diverse, and thought-provoking films that spark meaningful conversation. In an effort to honor modern filmmaking, the festival considers itself a strictly "21st Century Film Festival," meaning any project created from January 1, 2000, to the present is eligible for submission.

"We hate entering a festival to never hear back or see your film on the website when the submission status says 'accepted,'" the festival's mission statement reads. To combat industry ghosting, the American West Film Fest promises transparent communication, public recognition on their website and social channels, and official laurels and certificates for all winners.

A Unique Monthly and Annual Format The festival operates on a monthly judging schedule, with new winners announced on the 1st of the following month, starting on September 1st. The season will culminate in an annual live showcase and awards presentation on January 16, 2027, at the Isabel Castillo Performing Arts Center in Raton, New Mexico.

Following its inaugural year in Raton, the festival plans to travel, bringing its annual live event to a different town in the American West each subsequent year.

Filmmakers can submit Non or Fiction Features or a diverse array of categories for shorts, including:

Documentary

Drama

Thriller

Western

Comedy

Horror

Sci-Fi

Animation

AI-Generated

Music

Dance

Low Budget

There are no premiere status requirements, meaning films currently available publicly online remain fully eligible for all monthly awards.

The festival is supported by a dedicated team of film aficionados and jury members, including Zach Olivares, Jane Debow Welles, and Zachary Shapiro.

Submission Details Submissions are now open. Monthly winners will begin being announced on October 1, 2026, and the Annual Winners lineup will be revealed on December 31, 2026, ahead of the January live event.

To submit a film, view the complete list of rules, or subscribe to the festival's Substack for updates and discount codes, visit www.awfilmfest.com.

About the American West Film Fest Founded in 2026, the American West Film Fest believes in the power of storytelling to inspire, challenge, and connect. The festival celebrates independent cinema made by both emerging and established filmmakers worldwide, with a commitment to uplifting creative voices and unique visions across all genres.

Media Contact: Elizabeth Holloway, American West Film Fest http://www.awfilmfest.com