CODY — The Yellowstone Film Festival has announced Sept. 18 as the final deadline for filmmakers to submit their work for consideration for the 2026 festival, taking place Oct. 9-11 in Cody.

As the festival moves through its selection process and begins assembling this year’s schedule, filmmakers from Wyoming, Montana and Idaho are especially encouraged to submit their work, along with filmmakers from across the United States. This year, organizers are making a particular call to high school and college filmmakers throughout the three-state region.

Student film submissions are free.

“We want students across our three-state region to know that this festival is for them, too,” said Brett Straniere, director of the Yellowstone Film Festival. “You don’t need a major budget, a production company or years of filmmaking experience behind you. If you’re a high school or college student who has made a film you’re proud of, we want to see it. One of the most important things we can do is give emerging filmmakers an opportunity to have their work seen by an audience on the big screen.”

Filmmaker Preston Randolph added, “The Yellowstone Film Festival is a unique opportunity for filmmakers throughout our region, especially students, to screen their work in front of a live audience. That experience can inspire growth, build confidence, and motivate a young filmmaker to take the next step in their career.”

The Yellowstone Film Festival is currently reviewing submissions and beginning to build its three-day program. Once selections are complete, the festival website will be updated with the full screening schedule, along with information about special hotel rates, restaurant offers and other deals from the festival’s partners throughout Cody.

The final submission deadline is Sept. 18. Filmmakers — especially high school and college filmmakers from Wyoming, Montana and Idaho — are encouraged to submit their work before the deadline through the Yellowstone Film Festival’s FilmFreeway submission page.