This summer from August 15-22, the screen comes alive at the Emberlight International Film Festival, where true stories, bold experiments, and global perspectives ignite conversations across borders and generations.
From The Village of Ballet Dancers, an intimate portrait of resilience and artistry in a war-torn community, to Jane Austen’s Period Drama, a sharp and imaginative exploration of authorship and identity, this year’s lineup is as daring as it is moving. You’ll laugh out loud at our animated shorts, find beauty in the dreamlike surrealism of Teatime Dream, and confront contemporary questions with documentaries like American Theater, a powerful examination of what it means to tell stories on stage in today’s cultural climate.
Featuring films from around the world and across genres, EIFF25 is more than a film festival — it’s an invitation to connect, reflect, and celebrate the power of cinematic storytelling.
2025 SCREENINGS
Film Festival ARchives
Film Festival FAQ
EIFF 2025 will take place at The Ember Club from August 15 – 22, 2025. The Film Festival runs “in rep” with other festival events over two weekends.
Films can be submitted on FilmFreeway. Submissions are open from October 1, 2024 – May 5, 2025.
Our submission fees start at only $12 until the Early Bird deadline on November 1, 2024. Fees increase gradually at our other deadlines: Regular (February 3), Late (March 3), Extended (May 5).
We are pleased to name 21 awards and offer over $3,000 in prizes this year.
One of our top awards is the Emberlight Choice which includes a $500 cash prize and plus flight + accomodations to join us in Ironwood for the 2025 Film Festival. (The winner of the Emberlight Choice will be selected by the Emberlight Board of Directors.)
Prizes will be announced during our annual award show on Friday, August 22, 2025 (more details to be announced in April).
Each film will be reviewed by 2-3 industry professionals from across the U.S. and abroad. Films will be judged based on their overall artistic and technical quality. All genres are welcome.
We would be thrilled to welcome you to Emberlight! Our local airport has daily direct flights to Chicago (ORD) and Minneapolis (MSP) that connect with United and American airlines. We also have connections with many local hotels to help supply exclusive discounts to visiting filmmakers and industry professionals.
Emberlight is on the Michigan & Wisconsin border and 16 miles south of majestic Lake Superior in the town of Ironwood, MI. Our area boasts incredible vistas, the Northern Lights, countless waterfalls, pristine inland lakes, Copper Peak, and four vibrant season year round.