SHARE YOUR STORY
Share the Story God Has Placed on Your Heart
At the Knoxville International Christian Film Festival, we believe stories can inspire, encourage, and point people toward Christ.
Whether you're an experienced filmmaker or submitting your very first project, we're honored to consider your work.
Filmmakers from across the United States and around the world have made KICFF part of their creative journey because of our commitment to the Spirit of Excellence & Service, personal interaction, and Christ-centered community.
We look forward to celebrating your work and welcoming you to the KICFF family.
Submission Guidelines
The Knoxville International Christian Film Festival exists to honor God through The Spirit of Excellence & Service.
Our submission guidelines simply help us preserve a Christ-honoring experience for every filmmaker, family, and guest who participates in KICFF.
We ask that all entrants carefully review and follow these submission guidelines before entering their projects.
- KICFF reserves the right to accept or reject any submission at its sole discretion.
- All projects must reflect Christian values and represent God in a positive and honoring manner.
- No nudity or sexually explicit content.
- No horror or fantasy films.
- Projects containing the "F" word, misuse of God's name, or other offensive language are not eligible for consideration.
- Real-life situations may be portrayed; however, unnecessary violence or offensive language is strictly prohibited. (A film such as Sound of Freedom is an excellent example of the type of storytelling we welcome.)
- Projects should be appropriate for audiences ages 10 and older.
* All non-English projects must include clearly readable English subtitles.
- Artificial intelligence may be used only as a limited creative tool. Projects that rely primarily on AI-generated content, as determined by the judges, are not eligible for awards.
- Entries must meet all requirements for the category in which they are submitted.
- Multiple projects may be submitted; however, each project requires its own separate submission.
- If your film, documentary, video, music video, or other Christian project receives a KICFF award, you grant Master Shot Media LLC (KICFF) permission to obtain a royalty-free digital copy and, at KICFF's discretion, showcase your project royalty-free on KICFF Presents, the KICFF Presents YouTube Channel, future television broadcasts, online platforms, promotional presentations, and other KICFF-related media.
- Submitters affirm they are at least 18 years of age and own, or have obtained, all necessary rights and permissions to submit their project(s).
- Submitters grant KICFF permission to showcase their selected projects, royalty-free, during current or future KICFF live events, showcases and Nights of Faith.
- Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of award selection.
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17 Categories
Every creative gift deserves an opportunity to shine. Our submission categories are designed to celebrate storytellers working across a wide variety of Christian media.
Whether this is your first project or your fiftieth, Knoxville International Christian Film Festival would be honored to experience the story God has placed on your heart.
To encourage filmmakers, writers, musicians, and content creators from around the world, we offer a wide variety of submission categories. Submissions for the 2026 season are expected to open around August 6, 2026.
Current Categories
- Feature Film — 45–120 minutes
- Short Film — 15–44 minutes
- International Film — Christian values; non-English entries must include clearly readable English subtitles.
- Student Film — Christian film created by a student or student team.
- Mini-Film — Under 15 minutes.
- Educational Film - Up to 60 minutes
- Trailer — Promotional trailer for a Christian project (maximum 5 minutes).
8. Documentary — Christian documentary up to 60 minutes.
9. Web Series or Episode — Christian web series or individual episode created for television, the internet, or social media.
10. YouTube Video — Christian content posted on YouTube (maximum 20 minutes).
11. Animation/Cartoon — Christian-themed animation or cartoon (maximum 15 minutes).
12. Music Video — Christian music video released on a website or social media platform.
13. Christian Song - Original Christian song with original lyrics and performed by a human artist.
14. Feature Screenplay — Christian-themed screenplay up to 120 pages.
15. Pitch Deck or Treatment — Christian-themed feature, short film, student film, television series, or web series.
16. Faith-Based Reels — Maximum 2 minutes.
17. Drone Film — Faith-based mini or short film (up to 25 minutes) featuring at least 50% drone footage.
These categories are designed to provide meaningful opportunities for Christian creators to share their work, encourage audiences, and glorify God through storytelling.
If you have a suggestion for a future category, we'd love to hear from you.
Please contact us with your ideas.
In the Spirit of Excellence and Service, we pray you have a wonderfully blessed day!