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Submissions Open

Lookout Wild Film Festival

CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES
JAN 14-17, 2027
14 YEARS RUNNING

Deadlines

SEP 30, 2026Regular

About festival

Lookout Wild Film Festival

For 15 years, the Lookout Wild Film Festival (LWFF) has brought the world’s best outdoor adventure and environmental films to Chattanooga, Tennessee. What started in 2013 as a small gathering of outdoor enthusiasts has grown into a premier film festival, drawing over 4,000 attendees to our flagship three-day event. With virtual screenings and a multi-city tour expanding our reach, LWFF continues to inspire audiences and connect filmmakers with a passionate community that loves the outdoors.

At its heart, Lookout Wild Film Festival presents stories of diverse people who seek, explore, and protect wild places. From local to international adventure and environmental films, we inspire curiosity, build connections, and deepen appreciation for nature.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome a wide range of films that capture the essence of outdoor adventure, exploration, and conservation. Whether it’s high-energy action sports like skiing, climbing, or mountain biking, or immersive journeys by foot, paddle, or bike, we’re looking for stories that showcase the thrill of the wild. We seek powerful narratives of resilience, healing, and human connection to nature—whether through personal challenges, cultural perspectives, or groundbreaking conservation efforts. From remote mountain expeditions to underground caving adventures, from ocean depths to high-altitude air sports, LWFF celebrates the full spectrum of outdoor experiences. We also value fresh voices and perspectives, including Indigenous storytelling, adaptive athletes, and underrepresented communities in the adventure world. Some films make us laugh, some inspire action, and some leave us in awe—but all share a deep love for the outdoors and the stories it holds.

Why Submit to LWFF?

We’re not just another film festival. LWFF is a community. We bring together filmmakers, athletes, conservationists, and adventure lovers for Q&As, workshops, and networking opportunities. Over the years, we've proudly hosted World and US film premiers, introduced new talent to the adventure film scene, and showcased stories that might otherwise go unseen.

Set in Chattanooga—twice named Outside Magazine’s “Best Town Ever”—LWFF is the heart of a city known for rock climbing, paddling, mountain biking, and outdoor adventure. It’s the perfect home for your film.

If your film captures the spirit of adventure, the beauty of wild places, or the urgency of environmental storytelling, we want to see it. Submit your film and become part of the Lookout Wild Film Festival!

Trailer

Festival Amenities

Green RoomSwag BagsFilmmaker EventsPress EventsAfter PartiesQ&A SessionsAll Access BadgesComplimentary TicketsSocial Media Spotlight

Accepted Content

Genres:
AdventureDocumentary
Film Types:
DocumentaryNon-Fiction
Categories:
DocumentaryFeature FilmShort Film
Festival Focus:
DocumentaryAdventureConservationFirst-Time FilmmakerSocial ChangeIndigenous Stories
Stories of Resilience

Submission Categories

Short Adventure or Environmental Film

Short Adventure or Environmental Film

Fee: $20Deadline: September 30, 2026
Type: Video

Mid-Length Adventure or Environmental Film

Mid-Length Adventure or Environmental Film

Fee: $30Deadline: September 30, 2026
Type: Video

Feature Adventure or Environmental Film

Feature Adventure or Environmental Film

Fee: $40Deadline: September 30, 2026
Type: Video

Festival Rules

General:

Rights & Copyright – You confirm that you own or have the rights to all media in your submission, including video, audio, and photographs, and that your submission does not infringe on any third-party copyrights. Festival Screenings – Submission of a film grants LWFF permission to screen it at the in-person festival. During the submission process, filmmakers may also choose whether to allow their film to be included in the virtual online festival and/or LWFF Film Tour. Virtual Festival & Tour – Films may be selected for the virtual online festival or tour even if they are not screened at the in-person festival. If permission for the virtual festival or tour is granted during submission, it may be withdrawn by written request (email or letter) when the film is accepted. Multiple Screenings & Exhibits – Films may be shown at multiple festival screenings, and photos may be exhibited at multiple events. Required Exhibition Formats – If selected, filmmakers must provide an exhibition-ready version of their film in a format specified by LWFF. Failure to provide the required format by the deadline may result in removal from the festival. Clearances & Third-Party Rights – The submitter must confirm that all necessary permissions, rights, and licenses have been secured for music, footage, images, and any other third-party content. LWFF is not responsible for any unauthorized content in submitted films. Any legal claims arising from copyright infringement or unlicensed material will be the sole responsibility of the filmmaker. Marketing & Publicity Rights – By submitting, you grant LWFF the non-exclusive right to use trailers, clips, stills, and filmmaker-submitted materials for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, press releases, and festival marketing. LWFF will not sell or distribute any portion of a film without the filmmaker’s consent. Film Selection & Programming – Submitting a film does not guarantee inclusion in the festival. Programming decisions are final, and LWFF is not obligated to provide feedback on selection decisions, though we may be able to provide that post-festival. LWFF reserves the right to determine the time, date, and venue of all screenings, as well as the right to move any scheduled screening to a virtual format if necessary. Withdrawal Policy – A film may be withdrawn only before official selection is announced. After acceptance, filmmakers may not withdraw their film from the festival without written consent from LWFF. Compensation – Aside from festival pass(es), filmmakers and photographers will not receive monetary compensation for screenings or exhibitions. However, some films may be eligible for cash compensation, and some filmmakers may receive assistance in attending the festival in support of their film. Photo Category Winners – Award-winning photos may be printed for presentation. If the winner does not claim the print at the festival, it may be auctioned, with proceeds considered a donation to the Lookout Wild Film Festival. The photographer retains all rights to their work. Liability & Indemnification – Filmmakers agree to indemnify and hold harmless LWFF, its staff, affiliates, sponsors, and venues against any claims, liabilities, losses, or damages resulting from screening their film. Governing Law – These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee. Changes & Final Decisions – LWFF reserves the right to amend these rules without prior notice. By submitting, you agree to abide by all festival rules and decisions, which are final and binding.