LOCAL LENS SPOTLIGHT

Attention local filmmakers! You’ve been asking about a locals program and what that might look like this year. A few things are changing, but we are excited to start bringing this popular program back! We love our local filmmakers and want to celebrate your work! This a program for ONLY filmmakers residing in Jackson and Siskiyou counties.

What Stays the Same

• Free submissions for filmmakers living in Jackson or Siskiyou counties.

• Call for entries opens September 25, 2025 on FilmFreeway.

• To receive a waiver code, email entries@ashlandfilm.org.

• Eligible films must be completed after January 1, 2025.

What Is Different

Feature-length films and shorts over 15 minutes will be considered for the main April festival, alongside films from across the Americas.Shorts 15 minutes or less will be considered for a curated Local Lens Spotlight screening in February 2026.The best documentary short and top narrative short, chosen by a jury, will each be awarded a full pass to the April 2026 Festival.

Why the Change

As our beloved film festival slowly comes back from the ashes, we have fewer venues and less staff. Therefore we are unable to showcase as many films free of charge, and need to retain our venues for the main April program. Please know that all local films have a chance at being included in the main program. If you made something truly stellar, we will program it. For films that don’t make the cut for the April festival, we will still celebrate you during our February Local Lens Spotlight. Space for this program is limited, and only the best films will be showcased. 

How Selection Works

• A team of six programmers will review all submissions.

• Each film will be scored, and the highest averages will be selected.

• Programmers will recuse themselves from evaluating films made by friends or colleagues to ensure fairness.

How Awards Are Chosen

• A jury of four respected community members will select the award-winning shorts. Members of this jury will be announced in January.