Filmmaker Information
Hobnobben works with great intention to build relationships with Hoosier and national filmmakers, students of all ages, and international filmmakers. Our vision of a growing arts community in the filmmaker-friendly community of Fort Wayne, IN, depends on deliberate and diverse storytelling. The films showcased during our four-day festival incorporate voices, images, and storylines that the film industry has historically excluded.
What to Expect.
We don’t show films in empty conference rooms. Instead, your film will be viewed in a thoughtfully curated film block by an audience that includes the general public, artists, commercial videographers, event sponsors, and other filmmakers. We invite all filmmakers who have been accepted into the festival to join us in Fort Wayne, IN, to network with other filmmakers, participate in workshops, and potentially join us for panel discussions and other events.
Submission Information
To foster the type of film festival we can be proud of, we deeply consider what films we accept and what is left out. We also intentionally seek out stories from countries with limited platforms for sharing them in the U.S. There are some lines we absolutely will not cross, including misogyny, certain sexual violence, incest, and anything else that is harmful and without a potentially meaningful payoff. Hobnobben curates blocks of showings that combat misconceptions and spark critical thought rather than focusing on high-budget/highbrow films.
Our goal is to share important stories. And that means that submitting to our festival must be accessible to all. No questions asked. We offer waivers to any filmmaker wishing to submit their work to our festival!
Email us at submissions@hobnobben.org to receive a waiver code.
2026 Festival Dates
October 26, 2025
Submissions Open
January 31, 2026
Early Bird Deadline
April 30, 2026
Regular Deadline
June 1, 2026
Late Deadline
July 29, 2026
Selection Notifications
October 22-25, 2026
In-person Hobnobben Film Festival
October 22- November 10, 2026
Virtual Hobnobben Film Festival
Filmmaker Workshops
Each year we provide filmmakers the opportunity to workshop and network with each other. In 2024, we had six workshops and special events throughout the festival. Please visit our programming page to learn more.
Filmmaker FAQs
So – your film got into the Hobnobben Film Festival. Now you have to decide whether or not to attend the festival in person in beautiful Fort Wayne, Indiana! If you are attending, or are considering attending, please review these FAQs. If your question isn’t below, email us (the Hobnobben Hospitality Team) at filmmakers@hobnobben.org. We understand traveling for film festivals can get overwhelming, so we are happy to answer all your questions. We look forward to meeting all of you talented filmmakers at the festival!
– Victoria Britton, Hobnobben Hospitality Lead
-
First of all: celebrate! You are a storyteller. That is why you are here. Your time and effort and vision culminated in a piece of art that we are so excited we get to share with the world. Thank you for being a part of what we do.
Now, when you’re ready to put the champagne glass down… let’s get into some of the logistics: -
The in-person festival will be October 22 - 26, 2026, at Fort Wayne Cinema Center in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. The virtual festival will run from October 22 - November 10, 2026.
-
The Hobnobben Film Festival takes place in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Cinema Center theater located at 437 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. The theater is a 2-screen arthouse that is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Learn about Cinema Center.
Fort Wayne is a medium-sized city of approximately 250,000 people in northeast Indiana. We’ve got 3 huge rivers, 2 state universities and 1 fantastic film festival! Get the inside scoop on Downtown Fort Wayne.
-
For 2026, we will have a block of discounted rooms available at The Bradley in downtown Fort Wayne. Booking information will be provided with selection notifications in 2026.
Please reach out to the hospitality team at filmmakers@hobnobben.org for assistance in locating other nearby accommodations or if you have questions about neighborhoods, restaurants and other venues in Fort Wayne.
-
Hobnobben Film Festival provides 2 All-Access Filmmaker passes for each selected film. This includes access to all films, events, and workshops.
Additional All-Access Filmmaker Passes are also available at 50% off for other cast or crew members listed in the film’s credits. Please email info@hobnobben.org to purchase additional filmmaker passes.
-
You can get them October 22-25 at the Cinema Center theater in the filmmaker Green Room. Ask any Hobnobben volunteer for help and they will make sure your team is taken care of.
-
You can attend any and all films that you choose to see. Additionally, you can attend the filmmaker workshops, Q&As, and have access to the Green Room any time during the festival. Seats are limited so reserve a free ticket for screenings you wish to attend (including your own!).
-
For the 2026 festival, we will ask for your RSVP before the festival to ensure we are ready for all our attending filmmakers.
Please RSVP by October 16, 2026.
-
Due to the fees associated with online viewing, we cannot provide free passes for the platform. However, we can offer a discount for virtual screening tickets for all filmmakers.
Unique links and purchase codes will be emailed out from info@hobnobben.org ahead of the festival for those interested in online passes.
-
Yes, we encourage filmmakers to send a brief introduction video if you are unable to attend your screening. Please keep the video to 90 seconds or less. Email the video to info@hobnobben.org no later than October 10.
Some things you could include in your video are: your name and role in the film, where you filmed the project, thanks to the audience for attending, any other notable tidbits about your film, or a reference to the cause associated with the film.
-
Unfortunately, our awards ceremony will be a closed ceremony, but all winners will be notified of their win via email shortly after the conclusion of the event..
-
We do provide a table in the lobby where promo material can be placed. We can also hang film posters. We do not have the ability to do any point-of-sale for items. Please send all digital promo materials to info@hobnobben.org. Physical materials, such as posters, can be mailed to Cinema Center. It is up to the filmmaker to pay for postage to send any promotional materials to Cinema Center. info@hobnobben.org
Fort Wayne Cinema Center
437 E. Berry Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802, USA -
Hobnobben Film Festival’s marketing team highlights films in the weeks ahead of the festival on our social media platforms. Additionally, the team sends out press releases and does interviews with various Fort Wayne media outlets to help spread the word about the festival in general.
-
Narrative Feature
Feature-Length Unscripted
Animated Shorts
Unscripted Short
Fiction Short
Student Work: High School and Undergraduate
First-Time Filmmaker and Advanced Student
Indiana Reels
Best Comedy
AND: All films submitted will also be eligible for the Jen Lynn Award. This honors films with LGBTQIA+ representation and storytelling.
-
Laurels will be emailed out soon after the in-person awards ceremony. Laurels will be sent to finalists and to winners.