Wide Open Experimental Film Festival 2027: Oklahoma City Screens Global Films Under 25 Minutes
An international film festival for moving-image experimentation
The Wide Open Experimental Film Festival (WOEFF) at Oklahoma City University is accepting films for its Spring 2027 in-person programme in Oklahoma City. It invites artists worldwide to submit formally adventurous moving-image work, from diary film, poetic montage and abstract animation to structural cinema, artist documentaries and unconventional digital experimentation. The organiser says the festival is open to diverse artistic approaches and does not impose a requirement that the film be a world or US premiere.
Important fee and submission calendar
The published regular entry deadline is 31 October 2026, with a US$6 entry fee. A late submission remains available until 30 November 2026 at a higher US$25 fee. The organisers accept applications only through FilmFreeway, reached via their own official site; the checkout page should be checked for any local tax or platform differences. The in-person festival is currently announced for Spring 2027, but its official call does not state fixed screening days. Do not mistake the website's archived 23–26 April 2026 programme for the 2027 dates.
Under 25 minutes; any production year or premiere history
Because of venue and programming restrictions, the 2027 call accepts films under 25 minutes in length. The organisers explicitly say there are no restrictions on completion date or premiere status. This means an older self-produced work, or a film previously screened elsewhere, may still be considered. Screenings are planned in digital formats, with the possibility of discussing 8mm, 16mm or 35mm works separately if the filmmakers can explain their required apparatus and handling. Films should be prepared for an English-speaking and reading audience, including English subtitles where appropriate.
University backing and no travel or screening honorarium
WOEFF is organised by the Film Department at Oklahoma City University, whose festival site provides extensive archives of earlier programmes, interviews, discussions and featured works from recent editions. The 2027 event is advertised as free for audience members to attend, but that does not make film submissions free. The organiser states it is unable to pay exhibition/screening fees or travel costs to invited filmmakers. Producers should confirm copyright and licensing for music, third-party footage and any archival imagery, and budget any travel separately. For unusual presentation requirements, contact the festival staff at wideopeneff@gmail.com before paying.
Official application and source
Checked against the organisers' official information on 23 October 2026. Please verify live deadlines, fees, copyright, eligibility and technical delivery before entering.