We’re Not Pausing. We’re Preparing.
A curated film experience is coming in 2026. It will be more… more intentional, more immersive, and more impactful than ever.
Down East Flick Fest proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests. DEFF will be reopen for submissions in February 2025.
About the Festival
Down East Flick Fest (DEFF) is evolving from a traditional film festival into a curated, theme-driven film experience designed to foster meaningful storytelling, creative risk, and community connection.
This rebrand reflects a shift away from broad genre-based programming toward more intentional, theme-based curation, where films are grouped by resonance, relevance, and impact rather than genre alone. Unlike traditional festivals that prioritize volume and broad categorization, DEFF emphasizes focused programming, deeper engagement, and the overall experience of storytelling.
Intentional Storytelling | Creative Risk Meaningful | Connection
DEFF is designed for filmmakers and audiences who value intentional storytelling, creative risk, and meaningful connection. While continuing to support both emerging and experienced filmmakers, DEFF is committed to creating a more cohesive and immersive experience for artists and audiences alike.
DEFF will maintain several of its signature recognitions, including the Sweet Tea Award, Community Impact Awards, and Unapologetic Awards, along with its established Poetry Film category. The festival will also feature a focused selection of film areas, including Children (Under 13), Horror, Short Documentaries, and Animation, alongside a signature category, Moments That Matter: Transformational Films, highlighting stories that capture powerful moments of change, realization, and lasting impact.
Our Mission:
DEFF exists to cultivate an environment where storytelling is experienced with intention, where artists and audiences connect in meaningful ways, and where each work has the space to be seen, heard, and remembered. Rooted in the South and shaped by a contemporary, perspectives, DEFF brings a spirit of hospitality and thoughtful engagement to every event—welcoming diverse voices to honor the region’s storytelling traditions.
Something Brand New!
As part of its expanded commitment to storytelling, DEFF will introduce a curated Script Spotlight in its first year—featuring a limited selection of unproduced scripts that reflect the festival’s emphasis on voice, vision, and meaningful narrative. This initiative creates space to recognize and engage storytelling at its earliest stage, while opening opportunities for creative exchange and future collaboration.
In another bold move, DEFF is intentionally reducing the number of accepted films to elevate the overall experience, prioritize meaningful engagement, and create space for deeper conversation, collaboration, and connection among filmmakers and audiences. Selected filmmakers benefit from increased visibility and more meaningful opportunities for audience interaction.
As DEFF continues to grow, it invites filmmakers not only to submit their work, but to participate in a thoughtfully curated environment where storytelling is experienced, shared, and remembered.
We are growing and evolving. We are now accepting sponsors. Contact us at info@downeastflickfest.org for details.
You got questions? We got answers.
Visit our FAQ page.
Keith Flynn, Our 2026 Featured Guest
Our 2026 recipient of the Sweet Tea and Community Impact Award
2026 Recipient of the Sweet Tea Award and Community Impact Award
This year, Down East Flick Fest is honored to recognize Keith Flynn as the recipient of both the Sweet Tea Award and the Community Impact Award—a rare distinction that reflects his profound artistic contributions and lasting influence on the literary and creative community of North Carolina and beyond.
Sweet Tea Award
The Sweet Tea Award honors those who embody the spirit, culture, and creative traditions of North Carolina.
Born in Asheville and raised in Marshall, Keith Flynn’s work carries the cadence of this land—its memory, music, and sense of place. Through his poetry, performances, and dedication to literary community, he has helped preserve and evolve the cultural fabric of the region.
Community Impact Award
The Community Impact Award recognizes individuals whose work extends beyond their own art to create opportunity and strengthen community.
As a poet, founder of The Asheville Poetry Review, and dedicated mentor, Keith Flynn has opened doors for countless writers and brought diverse voices into meaningful dialogue. His impact is measured not only in what he has created, but in what he has made possible for others.
A full tribute to Keith Flynn and his lasting contributions will be featured in a dedicated section of the festival program and website.
Why Submit to DEFF
Why should you submit?
DEFF is a curated film experience where selected filmmakers are not simply featured—they are central to the event. Each film is chosen for its voice, vision, and ability to resonate within a thoughtfully constructed program.
If your work is intentional, distinctive, and designed to connect with an audience in a meaningful way, DEFF offers a space where it will be experienced with care, engagement, and respect. This is not about volume or chance—it is about alignment and impact.
Filmmakers selected for DEFF become part of a collaborative environment that values authorship, creative exchange, and shared artistic purpose.
Take Control of Your Filmmaking Future. Join Us.
Stuff You Need to Know:
🔹 Is your film the right fit?
DEFF is designed for filmmakers whose work reflects strong creative intention and a clear sense of voice. While the festival maintains a focused selection of categories—including Moments That Matter: Transformational Films, Poetry Films, Animation, Children (Under 13), Horror, and Short Documentary—the guiding principle is not genre, but resonance.
We are seeking completed films that demonstrate thoughtful execution and a meaningful connection to audience experience. Fit matters more than format. Films are selected based on how they contribute to a cohesive, engaging, and impactful program.
Our main goal is to provide a real-world feedback and a launching platform for independent filmmakers.
Should you submit your film early?
Yes—early submission is strongly encouraged.
As a curated festival, DEFF reviews and selects films on a rolling basis. As the program takes shape, fewer slots remain available, making later submissions more competitive.
Submitting early allows your work to be considered with greater flexibility and attention, and provides time to address any issues that may arise during the submission process.
As an added benefit, we offer a discounted submission fee for early applicants.
Why follow the rules?
Clear guidelines ensure a fair and respectful experience for all participants.
Filmmakers are responsible for securing the rights to all materials included in their work. DEFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission that does not meet these requirements.
Following the submission guidelines allows us to focus on what matters most—engaging with your work thoughtfully and presenting it within a curated, high-quality program.
