Victory Int'l Film Fest

04/07/2026

SAVE THE DATE: September 10–12, 2026 🎥✨

We’re five months away from the 2026 Victory International Film Festival, and the momentum is already incredible! Submissions are rolling in, and the quality of work we’re seeing is next-level.

Think your film has what it takes? 🏆 We’re offering over $2,700 in cash prizes and the chance to showcase your work alongside the world’s most promising independent filmmakers.

Key Dates to Remember:
🗓️ April 26: Regular Deadline ($30 short films / $35 features)
🗓️ June 28: Final Deadline

Submit Here: filmfreeway.com/victoryiff

"Victory has such a wonderful lineup and such a wonderful catalog of films from all over... This is such a great fest." — Matt Packman, Filmmaker

Our selection process is highly curated and intentionally selective. If your film makes the cut, it’s because it truly stands out in originality and craft.

Mark your calendars for a weekend of world-class cinema right here in Evansville. The spotlight is waiting. See you at the fest! 🎬🎬
Video by Jacob Clark

04/03/2026

Evansville Film Festival Winner Wins Big at the Oscars! 🏆

Huge congratulations to Sam Davis and the team behind "The Singers" on their incredible Academy Award win for Best Live Action Short! We are so proud to be a part of your journey!

Before it was an Oscar winner, it was our 2025 Grand Prize & Best Director recipient right here at the Victory International Film Festival. Sam took a 19th-century short story by Ivan Turgenev and transformed it into a modern testament to human connection. By casting raw, first-time talent from the unlikeliest corners of the internet, he captured a "diamond in the rough" spirit that clearly resonated with The Academy.

🍿 Watch it now: "The Singers" is currently streaming on Netflix .
pictured with Sam at the Oscars: &

02/26/2026

We had previously posted that our 2025 Grand Prize and Best Director winner, "The Singers" by Sam Davis, has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short. Since we keep an eye on industry news we recently saw a post from The Industry (https://theindustry.co) that included this image. We are very proud to bring fantastic films from around the world to Evansville, and also happy to have our laurels included among so many respected festivals.

02/19/2026

Only 3 days left! Don't miss out on our Early Bird Deadline and your chance at $2500 in cash prizes! If you have a feature or short you have until Sunday, February 22nd at midnight to submit to get our best value rate. It's only $25 for features (41 minutes or more) and $20 for shorts (40 minutes or less). Submit now!!! filmfreeway.com/victoryiff

02/13/2026

Victory Int'l Film Fest winner is headed to the Oscars and is now available on Netflix!

We are beyond thrilled to announce that our 2025 Grand Prize and Best Director winner, "The Singers" by Sam Davis, has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short!

Do yourself a favor and carve out 17 minutes this weekend to stream it on Netflix.

01/13/2026

Big News! 3 Festival Favorites have been Shortlisted for the Oscars!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that three of our nominated animated short films from last year have officially been Shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards®!

These selections—[Playing God], [Hurikán], and [The Quinta’s Ghost]—showcased superb imagination and technical ex*****on that deeply resonated with our audience. Last year's animation blocks were among our most powerful screenings, and the audience response to these specific films was undeniable.

We are so happy to see these outstanding works get the global recognition they deserve. Good luck in the next round of voting! 🤞🏆

01/06/2026

The Singers blew our audience away at last years festival. We are so excited to announce that the film—which took home our Grand Prize and Best Director award for Sam Davis—has officially been Shortlisted for an Oscar!

It is such a joy to see films that screened at our festival go on to receive such recognition. If you caught this film during our festival, you can say you saw it before it was an Academy Award contender!

12/31/2025

Relive the highlights of the 2025 Victory International Film Festival through our official photo recap.

If anyone has photos to share, please do! We are updating our photos online before we open for 2026 film submissions soon!

09/13/2025

Main Day of the Victory International Film Festival takes place tomorrow at the Victory Theatre. Festival starts at 11am!

09/11/2025

09/11/2025

This is more than just a song with some visuals. This category features the best in musical storytelling. These are short, creative expressions where the sound and the visuals work together to create something truly magical. The film block includes so much local talent and a Grammy winner!

Indiana - Spillway
Seven Weeks in County - Billy Strings
Tight Jeans - Mason Bost
Wanderer - Genres
Swamp Eyes - Ghost Prom
Coming Home - The Cold Stares
Daisy - HP ONIT -
Miami Creek, c.1350 -Liquid Brick
Meditation on a Pint - Simon P Moore
Return to Eleanore - Ammify
All Hams on Deck - Chugs
Distraction - Mindfully Blind
Care - Hana Vu