BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival Submissions Close May 15

• The ninth annual BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival is accepting final submissions through May 15, 2026, with the festival set to take place September 10-13.
• Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded across multiple categories.
• Eligible works must have been completed after January 1, 2025.

Cary, NC - The ninth annual BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival is accepting submissions through May 15, 2026. Filmmakers may submit short films and original screenplays for consideration in the regional and national competition, with the chance to screen their work before an audience of more than 1,000 cinephiles and industry professionals. The popular film festival is slated for September 10-13, 2026, at the historic The Cary Theater, 122 E. Chatham Street.

Submission fees are $15 for standard entries and $13.50 for students and Film Freeway Gold members. Cash prizes will be awarded across multiple categories, including Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Student Short, Best NC Filmmaker Short, and a People's Choice Audience Award. The grand jury winner of the screenplay competition receives $1,000 and a live reading of their screenplay at the festival.

"Our goal is to create a welcoming and supportive environment for emerging filmmakers to show their work, meet their peers, and enhance their skills," said Town of Cary Operations and Program Supervisor Lani Simeona, who is also the festival director of BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival. "It is extremely fulfilling to see collaborations develop organically between filmmakers and industry professionals."

Interest in the festival continues to grow. Over the past two years, BEYOND has averaged 200-300 film and screenplay submissions, and more than 150 entries have already been received for 2026 ahead of the final deadline.

Eligible work must have been completed after January 1, 2025. Screenplays must be under 40 pages and written in English; films must be 40 minutes or less and not previously broadcast in the U.S. Complete eligibility requirements, submission guidelines, and festival information are available at The Cary Theater.

Owned and operated by the Town of Cary, The Cary Theater lights up downtown, with a mission to provide a unique setting for the community to experience art-house cinema and live performances that enhance the cultural arts experience in Cary. Originally constructed in 1946 to serve as the town's first indoor movie theater, The Cary was meticulously restored in 2014 to create a vibrant downtown space for independent film, live performances, comedy, and other arts events. Preview what's happening at thecarytheater.com.

Primary contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

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