09/16/2026
🌴🎬 Filmmakers — your story matters more than you know. Your voice is needed. The next story that changes a life might be the one you finish this week.
When the world felt dark, the Emerald Coast Film Festival began online during COVID — a simple invitation to keep creating. From that humble start, it has grown into a home for faith-aligned, family-friendly films, music videos, documentaries, shorts, features, trailers, TV series, posters, animation, scripts, and student films. We welcome clean, uplifting stories that engage, educate, inspire, and point toward hope, redemption, kindness, and second chances.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” — Philippians 4:8
Despite those humble beginnings, submissions arrived not only from across the United States, but from the United Kingdom, India, Germany, France, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Iran, China, Africa, Greece, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Romania, Turkey, Korea, Pakistan, Panama, Malta, Kuwait, and more. Rescue stories from war-torn countries. Animated shorts and films from international voices. Historic documentaries that refuse to let truth be forgotten.
It has been a great honor to give a voice to the voiceless — to acknowledge and award producers and filmmakers around the world, including those in sanctioned countries, and to watch their work find new audiences.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8–9
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” — Luke 4:18
In 2021, ECFF presented an honorary award to Dallas Jenkins and The Chosen. Since then, Season 1 of The Chosen has been translated into 125 languages — a Guinness World Record for the most translated season of a streaming series in history (first recognized at 86 languages, then broken again in February 2026). That kind of reach reminds us what faithful storytelling can do when it is given room to travel.
“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.” — Psalm 96:3
By 2025 the festival had gone “On the Road” — beyond theater screenings, yacht gatherings, venues, and beach meet-and-greets in Northwest Florida, then on to South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. Networking so filmmakers can find new audiences and potential worldwide distribution. We honor seasoned professionals and younger directors alike, and keep cheering long after the awards ceremony ends.
🙏 Lord, let our focus be on You — and Your alone. Not on a festival. Not on the award. On You.
If a story travels 125 languages, let it carry Your name. If a young filmmaker finds the courage to finish this week, let it be because You called them. If a voice that was silenced is heard, let the glory be Yours. We lift the lens. You fill the frame.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.” — Psalm 115:1
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14, 16
Despite hurricanes, losses, and things far beyond my control — and not competing with festivals 25, 50, or 100 years old with larger crowds — this remains true: Filmmakers who might have been overlooked are seen. Storms come. Venues change, but the lens stays pointed where it belongs. Lord, let our focus always be on You, and bring You glory.
We do not measure this work by the size of a human audience. We measure it by obedience. We trust that God is still the Executive Producer — directing us, and every scene.
If you have a project that carries hope… a music video that lifts a weary heart… a documentary that tells the truth with compassion… a feature that reminds people what is good and lasting — wrap it, refine it, bring it, and submit here for next year: https://filmfreeway.com/EmeraldCoastFilmFestival-1
“Let’s make a positive difference in the world together via music and film.”
~ Dianna Chenevert Founder & Visionary, Emerald Coast Film Festival
