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Cinequest was voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers. Cinequest programs 90% of its festival from paid submissions annually, one of the highest percentages of the world's most influential film festivals. Cinequest has helped discover countless artists including: Edie Falco (The Sopranos, Nurse Jackie); Alejandro González Inñárritu (Amores Perros, 21), Deepa Mehta (Water, Midnight?s Children); Jason Reitman (Thank You For Smoking, Juno); Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men); Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite); Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos); Renee Zellweger (Chicago, Jerry MacGuire); and Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Wolverine), among many others. Click here for additional Cinequest Programming Highlights

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place."  Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) will occur both Live in San Jose / Silicon Valley and Globally via its proprietary Virtual platform. Cinequest has been a leader in building community, audiences, and opportunity for film and filmed media via groundbreaking tech and paradigms for decades and will continue the golden combination of live and online post pandemic. Please click here watch this video from artists about their Cinequest experience.

Organizationally set in the home of the world's most influential media technology companies (Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, Occulus etc.) CQFF showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences. CQFF has led the world in its showcase and implementation of the technologies that have revolutionized film making, exhibition and distribution. CQFF's blend of the artist and innovator gains focus through its Maverick Awards. Its Maverick Spirit Awards recognizes artists (Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage, Elle Fanning, J.J. Abrams, Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bill Nighy, Sir Ben Kingsley, Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee, James Franco, Neil Gaiman, and Sir Ian McKellen are among the guest recipients). Its Maverick Innovator Award recognizes technologists (including Martin Cooper, father of the cell phone, and Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple Inc.). A Maverick stands apart from the crowd willing to create and innovate from a place of personal yet global vision.

Cinequest connects artists, innovators, media, and audiences as people converge to experience a potent mix of immersive stories from around the globe and breakthrough technologies. Yet, Cinequest's stellar reputation not only hinges on its knack for creating a powerful line-up, but also for securing distribution for many of its honored filmmakers. Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, MSNBC Films, Oscilloscope, Sony Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Kino-Lorber, eOne, Lionsgate, PBS, and HBO are just a few of the many that have signed deals with some of Cinequest's success stories. Cinequest Distribution has also successfully released 85 Film Festival favorites.

Also, as an Academy-qualifying festival for the short film categories, Cinequest is proud to honor the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation prizes with a shot at every filmmaker's dream...Oscar gold.

"This festival is one that sets the trends and is actually ahead of the trends. Other festivals are copying Cinequest; I see it all the time."—Chris Gore (Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide)

Exhibiting unique social and artistic visions from around the globe, Cinequest's dynamic festival engages audiences in thought-provoking dialogue, giving film artists and film lovers alike an opportunity to connect. Furthermore, Cinequest provides cutting edge technology and movie-making forums to empower professionals and students.

"What unites them all under the festival's big tent is clear: Being a part of Cinequest is not to follow industry trends, but to witness the moment they're being set."—MovieMaker (Max Weinstein)

"I've been submitting to Cinequest since 2013. The Cinequest judges' feedback has always been top-notch. I had a fantastic experience attending this year. The producers and staff do an amazing job. It's incredible...I'm over the moon to be working with The Solution and with the crew at CAA. ”  Jeremy Rush, Cinequest Feature Winner, WHEELMAN (Sold to Netflix )

SUBMIT TO THE SCREENWRITING COMPETITION

Welcome to the 19th Cinequest Screenwriting Competition, presenting screenwriters with prestigious recognition, engagement with industry leaders, connection to encouraging community, plus the chance to win extraordinary acclaim and prizes. The Competition welcomes screenplays and teleplays of all genres and lengths. Cinequest inspires creative fervor and provides dynamic opportunities for writers to get discovered and have their work produced.

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place.”—Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

Cinequest is dedicated to launching new screenwriters' careers and providing a platform from which their work can take flight. Cinequest was voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers. Set in the home of the world's most influential media technology companies (Netflix, YouTube, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), Cinequest showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators, and audiences. Cinequest Film & VR Festival occurs in San Jose & Redwood City, California.

Past Competition writer Matthew Dixon, with his script, THE GLASS HOTEL (optioned by HBO), recalls his experience: "Writers need all the support they can get and Cinequest gave it in abundance. Not only at the festival, with conferences and events for the writers, but long afterwards, when you're back at the desk and find an email from one of the devoted people at Cinequest in your box. When they get behind you, they stay behind you and continue to do everything they can to help push your project forward."

Amidst the energy and excitement of the festival, the Cinequest Screenwriting Competition empowers creative and innovative writers with the opportunity to interact with producers and industry professionals from around the world. Finalists will be honored during the Cinequest Writers Celebration, a day filled with a dynamic collection of Writer Meet Producer events, Business of Writing forums, Pitch Training, VIP Writers Lunch, and awards ceremony announcing the winners of the competition. The prestigious Maverick Spirit Award will also be presented to a renowned writer during the Celebration. Past honorees include: J.J. Abrams, Neil Gaiman, Darren Star, Lawrence Kasdan, Chuck Palahniuk, Michael Arndt, and Diablo Cody.

2022-2023 SCREENWRITING WINNERS

FEATURE
Breeder by Alex Goyette

 

SHORT-FILM
Bark & Boo by Rodolfo "Rudy" Salas

 

TELEPLAY 60-MINUTE
Springtime by Danny Newell

 

TELEPLAY 30-MINUTE
A Brat Blooms in Bushwick by Judd Schlossberg 

 

All FINALISTS

JOIN THE EVOLVING WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT VR

Renowned for its legacy of connecting artists and audiences with top media and technology, Cinequest presents a leading Virtual Reality (VR) Competition & Awards. Submissions are now open for Interactive VR Apps/Experiences, Games and 360 Movies.

Set in the Silicon Valley, home of the world's most influential media technology companies (Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Google, LinkedIn etc.), Cinequest's VR-AR Awards will honor and engage the world's leading VR content creators and innovators. Cinequest's VR-AR Awards presentation will occur during the Cinequest Film & VR Festival as part of a thrilling and inaugural VR experience for audiences, content creators and innovators. Cinequest is poised to take a leading position in VR-AR exhibition, training, innovation and celebration. (Please click here for Prize Categories and click here for Submission Options).

FILMS

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SCREENWRITING

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VR

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What people are saying

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place."

— Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

"Move over Cannes! Of the more than 4,000 film festivals around the globe, more than half take place on U.S. soil, and many rank among the best of the best. Our panel of film experts, movie buffs and festival gurus were tasked with narrowing down the field to the best 20 film festivals in the nation before we turned it over to USA TODAY and 10Best readers to choose their favorites. After four weeks of voting, we have a winner. Cinequest Voted Best Film Festival!"

— USA Today

“Cinequest is the cure...while we're here, we're in a world that's different.”

— Harry Knowles, Ain't It Cool News

"This festival is one that sets the trends and is actually ahead of the trends. Other festivals are copying Cinequest; I see it all the time."

— Chris Gore, Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide and Film Threat

“The film and technology forums delved into the important realms of integrating internet delivery into the home entertainment environment, creating true Internet revenue streams for film artists, and effectively leveraging the budding mobile marketplace.”

— Forbes Magazine

“Cinequest has consistently managed to pull in heavyweight guests.”

— Dennis Harvey, Variety

“Technology always drives the film business. In Cinequest, we have a good window on the future. I think they’re leading the world in this regard.”

— Peter Belsito, Executive Vice President, Film Finders

"At Cinequest you often haven't heard of the film before you go see it, but the audiences come anyway. That's a testament to the festival -- that audiences are willing to take that leap of faith."

— Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times