Calling all filmmakers! The Ocean City Film Festival is proud to present the 2026 Ocean City Film Challenge.

It's an annual competition that invites filmmakers to create an original short film in or about Ocean City for a chance to win prizes, recognition, and a featured spot in the Ocean City Film Festival catalog.

Whether you're an experienced filmmaker or an emerging storyteller, this is your opportunity to showcase your creativity while celebrating Ocean City through film.

Registration for the 2026 Ocean City Film Challenge opens on Sunday, June 1 and closes on Tuesday, June 30.

Participants must produce their films between June 1 and July 26, with filming only beginning after registration has been completed.

All films must have a maximum runtime of 10 minutes and must include the designated line of dialogue provided in the registration form.

Entries must feature at least one scene that clearly depicts Ocean City as the setting and must be filmed in or about Ocean City, with the destination serving as either a visible backdrop or a central element of the story.

Films must follow a cinematic narrative structure and may be submitted as either a fictional narrative or a traditional documentary.

Vacation footage, music videos, and other non-traditional cinema projects will not be accepted. Filmmakers are responsible for obtaining and maintaining documentation showing clearance for any copyrighted materials used within their submissions.

Final deliverables are due no later than Monday, July 27 through FilmFreeway. Upon registration, filmmakers will receive an access code for the FilmFreeway submission platform.

Required materials include an MP4 or MOV version of the completed film, a high-resolution promotional poster, two to three still images from the film, and a text document containing the film title, runtime, synopsis, and credits.

Failure to meet submission requirements or deadlines may result in disqualification from future Ocean City Film Festival events.

The challenge timeline includes registration opening on June 1, registration closing on June 30, final deliverables due on July 27, and a public film screening scheduled for Saturday, August 8 at the Art League of Ocean City.

Prizes, presented by the Art League of Ocean City and Ocean City Film Festival sponsors, will be awarded to the top three entries.

In addition, the top three winning films will be featured during Season 11 of the Ocean City Film Festival in March 2027.

The first-place winner will receive a Season 11 filmmaker pass, an additional guest pass, a swag bag, and a hotel stay for the duration of the 2027 festival.

The second-place winner will receive a Season 11 filmmaker pass, an additional guest pass, a swag bag, and a $50 cash prize.

The third-place winner will receive a Season 11 filmmaker pass, an additional guest pass, and a swag bag.

All submitted films will premiere during a special screening event on Saturday, August 8 at the Art League of Ocean City. The event begins at 7:00 p.m., with film screenings starting at 8:00 p.m.

Following the screenings, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a live question-and-answer session with the filmmakers before award winners are announced.

Interested filmmakers must complete the official registration form to be eligible to participate. Registration is limited and applications are subject to review, so only serious inquiries are encouraged.

Registration can be completed online at: https://ocmdfilmfestival.com/ocean-city-film-challenge/.

For additional information about the Ocean City Film Challenge, email OceanCityFilmFest@gmail.com.