Top 12 Film Fest

The Top 12 Film Festival celebrates the best of the best, the top twelve films reviewed by Truth Be Told over the past year. Each month, one standout film is selected from our submissions to represent that month’s spotlight. At year’s end, those twelve films take center stage on the big screen for our annual festival.What makes us unique? This is a completely anonymous festival and review process. Every film is judged by five anonymous judges, and all credits are removed before viewing to ensure total fairness. The only faces you’ll see belong to our yearly ambassadors; the hosts who guide the festival, present awards, and lead the live Q&A with our judges after the ceremony.

This year, all submissions are free as we work to earn your trust. Plus, one of the twelve festival selections will be chosen as the Ambassador’s Pick, meaning even if you’re not selected in your review month, you still have a chance to be part of the final lineup.

Each film will screen in a professional theater setting, complete with guest speakers, industry panels, and high-quality awards you’ll be proud to display.

Awards Include:

Best Film
Best Leading Actor/Actress
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Writing
Best Editing/VFX
Best Sound

We take pride in offering a festival that’s not just fair, but genuinely valuable. One that gives filmmakers authentic feedback, professional recognition, and an unforgettable experience.

Submit your film today and see if you have what it takes to make the Top 12.

Truth Be Told Film Fest – Rules & Guidelines

Welcome to Truth Be Told and the Top 12 Film Festival!

Before submitting your film, please read our official rules and guidelines carefully. These help ensure a fair, professional, and transparent experience for every filmmaker.

1. General Eligibility

All films are eligible for review, but not all films may be eligible for the festival

All films must have been released within the past 12 months from the date of submission.
Submissions are open to independent filmmakers worldwide.
All genres are welcome.

2. Submissions

Submit your film via our website: TruthBeToldFilmFest.com
One submission per filmmaker per month. No re-submissions.
Films submitted on or before the 15th of each month will be reviewed for that month. Unless told otherwise upon submission.
Films submitted after the 15th will roll over to the next month’s review cycle. Unless told otherwise upon submission.
Ensure your credits are accurate and complete before submission.

3. Review & Selection Process

All films are reviewed anonymously by a panel of five judges.
Judges do not receive filmmaker names or credits prior to scoring.
Each month, one film will be selected as the Spotlight Film, automatically qualifying for the Top 12 Film Festival.
At the end of the year, 12 Spotlight Films will be screened in a theater during the October 2026 Festival.
One additional film, chosen by our ambassadors, will join the lineup as the Ambassador’s Pick.

4. Judging Criteria

Films are scored across key categories, including:

Story & Writing
Direction & Vision
Acting & Performance
Cinematography
Editing & Pacing
Sound & Music
Overall Impact

5. Awards

During the annual festival, the following awards will be presented:

Best Film

Best Lead Actor/Actress

Best Supporting Actor/Actress

Best Cinematography

Best Writing

Best Editing/VFX

Best Sound

All awards are professionally crafted, ensuring winners receive something lasting and display-worthy.

6. Additional Guidelines

Films containing hate speech, extreme violence, or illegal content will be disqualified. (At Truth Be Told discretion)
Filmmakers retain full rights and ownership of their work.
By submitting, you grant Truth Be Told permission to use clips, posters, and stills for promotional purposes.
Review feedback will be shared openly.
Submissions are free for the 2025–2026 season.

7.Submission Requirements & Technical Guidelines

To keep things consistent and fair:

Films must be submitted as a link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) or via a downloadable file.
Include passwords if applicable; entries that can’t be accessed will be disqualified.
Preferred formats: MP4 or MOV, HD (1080p).
Non-English films must include English subtitles.
Ensure all visuals and audio are clear and intelligible; technical issues may affect judging.

8.Deadlines & Notifications

Submissions open year-round, but only films submitted by the 15th are considered for that month’s review cycle.(unless advised otherwise upon submission)
Selected films will be notified via email by the end of the following month.
Finalists for the Top 12 Film Festival will be announced publicly 1st of each month.

9.Screening Rights & Permissions

By submitting, you confirm that you own all rights to your film, including music, footage, and visuals.
You grant Truth Be Told the right to screen your film publicly if selected for the Top 12 Festival.
You also grant permission for short clips, stills, or behind-the-scenes content to be used for promotion and marketing.

9.Feedback & Reviews

Every film submitted will receive honest, written feedback from our review team.
Feedback will be public via blog

While feedback is constructive, it may be critical; please submit only if you’re open to authentic, unfiltered critique.

10.Festival Attendance & Awards

Attendance at the festival is encouraged but not required to win an award.
Winners who cannot attend will have their awards shipped or digitally recognized.
Q&A sessions with judges and guest speakers will be open to all selected filmmakers (virtual or in-person).

11.Disqualification Grounds

To maintain integrity, submissions may be rejected if they:

Contain hate speech, graphic sexual content, or promote discrimination.
Violate copyright or use unlicensed material.
Are incomplete, inaccessible, or submitted without proper permissions.
Attempt to reveal the identities of judges or manipulate the anonymity system.

11.Fees

Submissions are free for the 2025–2026 season.
Starting in 2027, a small fee may be introduced to cover production and venue costs, but Truth Be Told will remain a non-profit-driven, community-based festival.

Contact

For questions, partnership opportunities, or ambassador applications:

TruthBeToldFilmFest@gmail.com