The Emberlight International Film Festival (EIFF) is one of the most exciting components of Emberlight, bringing films completed within the last three years to our live audience. Our fifth season will celebrate Feature and Short Films from around the world in Ironwood, Michigan from August 15 – 22, 2025.
Over the last four years our audience has grown into a dedicated group of film lovers. From 2022 to 2023 we saw a 121% growth in ticket sales for our screenings, and similar exponential growth in 2024. Word is out that the Emberlight International Film Festival is one of the most exciting things to hit the Upper Peninsula in a long time.
Since our founding in 2021, EIFF has received 2,685 films (and counting!) from 83 countries across 6 continents. Only 145 films have been Official Selections in our festivals, making our annual acceptance rate around 5%. Each summer we award over $3,000 in cash prizes at our annual Award Show (August 22, 2025).
We have been honored to host filmmakers from Europe, Mexico and across the United States at our annual festivals. Emberlight offers small town charm like none other. The audience at Emberlight is warm, welcoming, and eager to meet filmmakers. We encourage anyone from the film industry who’s interested in visiting Emberlight to join us at the festival!
EIFF 2025 will take place at The Ember Club from August 15 – 22.
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.