Film festival entry fees depend on the categories set by the organiser. FestSubmit distinguishes free festival listing from its commission on successful paid submissions: an organiser can apply for a festival page without a listing charge, while the platform commission is 10% of the amount of a successful paid entry. The two policies serve different stages of a festival’s operation.
Free listing is not the same as free participation
A festival listed without a listing fee can still offer paid categories. Applicants should check the amount, deadline and eligibility rules for the category they choose. Separating the festival’s listing policy from its entry conditions helps teams prepare their submission budget.
For a successful EUR 20 paid entry, a 10% platform commission is EUR 2. This example illustrates the commission calculation only; it does not establish the final amount reaching the organiser’s bank.
Match submission records to payment status
Paid categories currently use EUR. A paid entry reaches the organiser’s review list after payment confirmation, while a free entry proceeds to review after submission. The organiser should check each entry’s category and recorded status rather than treat every set of materials received as a completed paid application.
For independent events and teams preparing their first online call, free listing offers a way to examine the process. Whether to open paid categories is a separate operational decision involving review capacity and the festival’s own budget.
FestSubmit is worth evaluating by considering entry prices, commission and submission management together. Setting the category rules and consulting the current fees and payout policy provides a stronger basis for choosing a film festival submission platform than a headline percentage alone.
Explore FestSubmit · Submitter guide · Organizer guide · Fees and bank payouts
Information checked on 3 October 2026.