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Celebrating film, story, and music on a global stage — an international festival and competition honoring filmmakers, screenwriters, playwrights, and musicians from around the world.
The Moonless International Film Festival is managed by the SteelHorn Foundation — consolidating our programs, expanding the Moonless Arts Institute, and giving more back to the entertainment community.
August 7, 2027 · Franklin, Tennessee
A special edition of Moonless — one day, one stage, one celebration.
The special edition is the first step toward something bigger
A dedicated, year-round competition for screenwriters and playwrights from around the world.
Submit on FilmFreewayOriginal songs, scores, and recorded performances — open year-round across genres.
Submit on FilmFreewayWe're building Moonless a home in Franklin — the special edition lays the groundwork for a full four-day festival.
In the WorksTo every filmmaker, writer, musician, sponsor, and audience member who walks this road with us — thank you. See you August 7, 2027 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Moonless International brings together film, storytelling, and music in a curated festival experience designed to spotlight original work, emerging voices, and bold creative vision.
Narrative shorts, features, documentaries, and experimental work from filmmakers around the world — judged on craft, originality, and the courage to tell something true.
Original screenplays and stage works at every level. We honor writing that earns its silences, builds living characters, and refuses easy answers — from first-time scribes to seasoned voices.
Original compositions and recorded performances across genres. From singer-songwriters and instrumentalists to film composers and ensembles — we listen for honesty, craft, and a voice that's unmistakably its own.
Moonless returns August 7, 2027 — one day only in Franklin, Tennessee. Submissions open October 16, 2026; deadlines and the full program will be announced here.
Moonless is a live, in-person celebration of creative work — bringing finalists, audiences, and industry professionals together for screenings, readings, performances, and awards.
One day.
One stage.
One celebration.
Open to creators worldwide. We've drawn finalists from five continents and counting.
A working jury of filmmakers, writers, and musicians — judged on craft, not connections.
Category winners, jury prizes, and special mentions across film, writing, and music.
Real screenings, live readings, and performances in front of an audience that came to see you.
A program of the SteelHorn Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to original creative work.
August 7, 2027 in Franklin, Tennessee — where Moonless began. One day, one stage, everything on it.
Moonless comes home to Franklin, Tennessee — the historic Main Street town just south of Nashville where the festival began. One day of film, story, and music. Venue to be announced.
Moonless International champions original work across film, writing, and music — judged on craft, not résumé.
From first-time creators to seasoned voices, every entry is read, watched, and listened to on its own terms. Our purpose is simple: find the work that deserves an audience, and give it one.
All submissions are received through FilmFreeway. The Moonless International Film Festival is now managed by the SteelHorn Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Moonless International is brought to life with the support of partners and sponsors who believe — like we do — that original creative work deserves a real stage.
One day only. August 7, 2027. Franklin, Tennessee.
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