Welcome to the home of stories "aching to be told." We are a nonprofit organization in both California and Massachusetts. Discover the unparalleled blend of tradition and innovation at The Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival. Our event occurs at the Regent Theatre, a 108-year-old Vaudevillian gem in Arlington, Massachusetts (Boston), renowned for its culturally diverse content. We also own Lonely Seal Streaming and Lonely Seal Releasing, which are dedicated to helping filmmakers with distribution.

We also offer a couple of ongoing opportunities:

Boston

"Mid-Week Music Movies and More" is our monthly series that searches for poignant music-oriented feature films and documentaries and screens them on Wednesdays. Selected monthly films will play at the Regent Theatre on Lonely Seal Streaming.; or both.

Redondo Beach

Dinner and a Movie at the Ragin Cajun Cafe in Redondo Beach, CA. Our first event is on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 7 PM. Selected films will be deemed “official selections” of our festival and will qualify for all relevant festival awards. We are looking to program feature films, feature documentaries, short films, short documentaries, and music videos.

Lonely Seal Streaming

"Lost Pilots" is our monthly series that searches for pilot series that were made but not widely distributed. Selected monthly pilots will play on Lonely Seal Streaming.

Other Cool Stuff

We're a multiple-time 'Top 100 Festival' on FilmFreeway. Sponsored by Coverfly, Final Draft, and The Lonely Seal Company Group, we're here to help you thrive, but we can only do that once you submit your work!

At The Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay & Music Festival, we're more than just an event. Our supportive community stands by you, championing your creative journey year-round. We invite filmmakers, writers, and musicians to connect with us beyond our festival dates. We're here to nurture your growth and success for a moment and a lifetime.

As part of the Lonely Seal Company Group, we provide a gateway to your career growth. Our parent company offers a range of services meticulously designed to support your professional development. From distribution through Lonely Seal Releasing and Lonely Seal Streaming to career-advancing webinars, online classes, and accelerator courses, we're here to help catapult your career to the next level, inspiring hope and optimism.

Our festival winners are not just celebrated; they are catapulted onto the global stage. They are showcased to cinema buyers at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival/Cannes Film Market and other vital sales markets our company attends worldwide, offering unparalleled exposure to your work.

So, don't hesitate to apply today and join our growing family!

Awards & Prizes

Prizes & Key Dates

We look forward to experiencing your awesomeness!

GRAND PRIZE AWARD

Grand Prize – A showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, an invite to a showcased placement on Lonely Seal Streaming, a prominent placement on Hourglass24.com for a future campaign, and strategic distribution advice.

FILM & DOCUMENTARY AWARDS:

Best Feature Film - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

Best International Feature Film - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

Best Documentary Feature Film - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

Best Film Accessible Film (Feature or Short) - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, strategic advice, and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

Best Short Film - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

Best International Short Film - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

SCREENPLAY AWARDS

Feature Film Screenplay - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.com.

Best Short Screenplay - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.com.

Best Teleplay - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes, prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.com.

MUSIC AWARDS

Best Music Video - Showcase for cinema buyers at Cannes and prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.

Best Song -  Prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.com

Best Composition - Prominent placement for one project on Hourglass24.com

KEY DATES

Arlington, (Boston) Massachusetts Festival
Submissions open on June 1, 2024
The early bird submission deadline is October 31, 2024.
The regular submission deadline is April 30, 2025.
The late submission deadline is May 31, 2025.

All selections for our Arlington, MA (Boston) festival will be notified by June 16, 2025.

Our festival is from August 19-24, 2025, at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at our awards ceremony.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Mid-Week Music Movies and More Monthly Showcase

KEY DATES

Starting June 1, 2024, submissions will open on the first of each month and close on the last day of the month. Selected films will be notified no later than 15 days after the end of the month in which the submissions were taken. Selected films will screen at the Regent Theatre or on Lonely Seal Streaming, or both, shortly thereafter. Selected films will be cited as "Official Selections" of the Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival.

Mid-Week Music Movies and More Monthly Showcase - Prizes

Selected monthly films will play at the Regent Theatre on Lonely Seal Streaming.; or both. Selected films will be "monthly winners." They will be invited to have a showcase launch on Lonely Seal Streaming and to be the focus of an episode of "Launch Party," a show on Lonely Seal Streaming highlighting showcased content on the platform. All "monthly winners" will qualify as finalists at our annual festival in Arlington (Boston), MA.

Lost Pilots Monthly Showcase

We're looking for "Lost Pilots," television or web pilots made but not widely distributed. This is a monthly contest, and our monthly winners will be showcased on Lonely Seal Streaming. They will also be the subject of one episode of "Launch Party," a monthly streamed series highlighting selected content.

Showcase Screenings in the United States and Worldwide

Lonely Seal will program showcase screenings worldwide. All selected films at our annual festival and our monthly Mid-Week Music Movies and More qualify to be selected. The filmmakers chosen for our showcase screenings will be contacted and invited to screen.

Rules & Terms

FILM FESTIVAL RULES & REGULATIONS

-- Competition is open to U.S. and International entries.

-- Entries must not have been publicly shown before 2024. 

- Preference is given to Massachusetts and Boston Premieres for our Arlington festival.

-- Entries must be submitted online through FilmFreeway.

-- You may submit multiple entries but must fill out a separate entry form and pay an entry fee for each entry.

LIABILITY
Every possible care will be taken with entries while in our possession; however, we cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage, or additional charges incurred en route due to normal wear and tear or equipment failure. Additionally, Lonely Seal International Film and Screenplay Festival is held harmless from any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses that may be incurred because of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, or film screening.

THE FOLLOWING MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR ENTRY

-- Entry fee (must be paid online).

--3-Line Synopsis. 

--Feature Films: Please include no more than a 250-word synopsis (may be used for the Festival Program and website).

--Accepted entries must submit at least one web-ready still at 72dpi and 560x315 pixels.

SCREENWRITING CONTEST RULES & REGULATIONS

All entries are eligible to win the top prizes.

Employees (and their immediate families) of The Lonely Seal International Film and Screenplay Festival and any of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies or festival sponsors are not eligible to win.

There is no limit on the number of screenplays you can submit; however, each script must be submitted separately and accompanied by its completed submission form.

Feature Film Screenplays must be between 70-120 pages in English and submitted in proper script format.

By submitting the material, the applicant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Festival and its employees from any liability, claims, and damages in connection with the submission and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, that any of them may incur in addition to that.

I/We understand that failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of the entry fee.

I/We agree to hold the Lonely Seal International Film, Music, and Screenplay Festival harmless and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney's fees) arising out of or in connection with any claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any music video, advertisement, film or media submitted to the Festival.

158 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eshani Chakrabarti

    I couldn't feel more fortunate to have gotten the chance to be a part of the Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival. Hammad is in a league of his own and a true expert in his field. It was a dream come true to be a part of such a thoughtfully curated festival. The festival brought such fascinating filmmakers to Massachusetts and it wouldn't have happened without the brilliance of Lonely Seal. On behalf of of our documentary Dad Rock, a million thanks and hope to see the Lonely Seal brigade extremely soon. Do yourself and your film a favor and join the Lonely Seal Community.

    January 2024
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Eshani

    Thank you for the kind words. We loved showing your film, and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

  • Michael Lippert

    Wonderful festival! Wish I could have attended in person but our producer was there and had wonderful things to say about his experience. Hammad and the staff were easy to communicate with via email and we felt welcome with open arms. Thank you, Lonely Seal!

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Pat Cavanaugh

    The personal approach and friendly communication from Hammad was extremely appreciated. Although I sadly wasn't able to make it out to Boston due to logistical issues, I felt like Hammad had my short's best interests at heart, and I am honored the festival chose to screen it. I can't wait to submit my next project and, should I be so lucky as to be selected again, make it out to Boston to enjoy the festival with everyone.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Guy Renardeau

    As a finalist for Best Music, I feel a bit shortchanged. I think the organization should reward the people who made it to the finals instead of just the winners. Furthermore, it is a good festival.

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your comments. I am sorry you feel that way. However, in many of the correspondences we’ve sent out, we made it clear that we are always in your corner. You can always reach out to us and we’re here to help you with anything you may need. I’m not sure if there any festivals that list every single project that got into the Festival outside of their schedule. We list our winners and honorable mentions in our Winners List, but as you know, you are also cited as a “finalist.” We are always in your corner. Should you ever need any help of any kind, please reach out to us so we can set up a zoom call or phone call discuss how we be able to help you.

  • Sara Dinga

    Lonely Seal International Film, Screenplay and Music Festival has been wonderful! The staff are fantastic and their communication is great. Winning best Play/Musical is an honor, and I'm thankful for the recognition of my work. Thank you Lonely Seal!

    October 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Sara - thank you for the kind words! Let’s catch up
    Sometime and discuss how we may be able to help you!