Submit YOUR FILM TO HUMP! 2026
It’s FREE to submit your film to HUMP!
HUMP! shares a portion of all ticket revenue with filmmakers who make it into the festival.
HUMP! audiences award $10,000 in cash prizes to their favorite films!
SUBMISSIONS DUE DECEMBER 5TH, 2025!
— WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR —
HUMP! films encompass a diverse spectrum of experiences and expressions, all condensed into concise, five-minute or shorter films that explore the realms of sex, love, and relationships.
Your film can be hardcore, softcore, & vanilla! Your film can showcase a spectrum of orientations and identities, including straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, poly, and genderqueer, & genderfluid perspectives.
Your film can be an animated adventure, dramatic storytelling, a documentary, a mockumentary, or a comedy! Your film can show off your unique kinks and fetishes! Your film can be suspenseful, an erotic thriller, or explore new dimensions with sci-fi and fantasy. Your film can be tales of hookups, role play, orgies, and even educational content to enlighten and entertain.
At HUMP!, we celebrate the diversity and creativity of human sexuality safely and respectfully!
SUBMITTING Your Film
Submitting your film to HUMP! is secure, easy, and FREE!
Shoot your filthy, hilarious, sexy, kinky, freaky film! Check out the technical guidelines, licensing, copyright, and AI usage requirements below
HOT TIP: While the maximum runtime is 5 minutes, we especially love HUMP! films that run between 2-3 minutes long (that way we can stuff more films into our lineups). Most films that make it into HUMP! are between 2-3 minutes, so maximize your chances by submitting a shorter film!
Anything goes at HUMP! Well, almost anything! No Poop, No Animals, No Minors!
Download and complete one Entry Form per film, and one Release Form for each performer in the film
Get a photo of each performer’s ID (for age verification and performer verification)
Upload your completed forms, film file, and performer IDs together in one folder
Use Dropbox, WeTransfer, or Google Drive
Submit your film!
We will confirm we have received your submission within 48 hours.
Reminder that your submission folder must include:
Film file
Completed Entry Form
Signed Performer Release Form from ALL performers who appear in your film
Copy of photo ID for all performers
All paperwork remains secure and will not be shared anywhere whatsoever.
There is no limit on how many films you are allowed to submit. We are always accepting HUMP! film submissions!
If you have any technical difficulty with these instructions, contact submissions@humpfilmfest.com.
Required
FORMS
One Entry form is needed per Film. A Release Form & ID are needed for ALL performers who appears in your film. Include all paperwork in one folder.
Technical Requirements
Whether using your phone or a video camera, make sure you are recording in 1080p.
If using a phone, please shoot horizontally in landscape mode and not vertically!
Preferred file formats are .mp4/H.264 or .mov/Apple ProRes, but we can accommodate others if needed.
For You Advanced Filmmakers:
SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EXPORT:
1920×1080 * 24 frames per second * .mp4/H.264 video file
Frame Rate (fps)
All selected HUMP! films are assembled into a single exhibition file, and films will look their best if they are all at the same frame rate.
We don't recommend using 30 or 60 fps; 24 fps is preferred (23.98 is acceptable)
Resolution
1920x1080 is preferred and will make the film look its best
We don't recommend 1280x720
File Format
Please submit films in the following formats:
.mp4/H.264
.mov/Apple ProRes
Please do not submit a DCP file
Audio
Please ensure film audio is in 48k, 16-bit, Stereo
Licensing, Copyright, and Generative AI Usage
All films submitted to HUMP! must not violate any copyright laws or licensing regulations.
Music
You must have the rights to the music used in your HUMP! film. Permission from the original owner or a Music License Agreement (provided by the music library or service) must be submitted with your paperwork.
Animations
You must have the rights to any animations you create for HUMP!.
All artwork must be original
Recreations of existing characters are not allowed. If you choose to use AI, the characters cannot resemble any existing artwork or characters.
Pre-Existing Video
Use of public domain video is permitted, only if it is collected from an established public domain archive.
You must have the rights to use any found footage in your HUMP! film, including Release Forms for any performers or permission from video owners.
Use of Generative AI
To preserve the authenticity and creative spirit of HUMP!, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted for any generated, creative elements of your film. This includes AI-generated or AI-assisted actors, animations, voiceovers, music, scripts, or visual characters/scenes.
Extra Credit
Every year we offer a short list of items you may include in your film. Little “easter eggs” to prove to the audience that your film was made for HUMP!
2026 Extra Credit items to include in your films:
“Sorry, We’re Closed”
Cowboy Hat
Ring of Keys
A Mischievous Toothsome Cursed-looking Plush Toy
Awards
All HUMP! audiences get to vote for their favorite films and award filmmakers $10,000 in cash prizes! The categories include Best Sex, Best Kink, Best Humor, Most Creative, & Best in Show! In addition to the cash prizes for top award categories, HUMP! shares a portion of all ticket revenue with filmmakers who make it into the festival.
Music
You must have the rights to the music used in your film. Permission from the original owner or a Music License agreement must be submitted with your Paperwork
Need help finding music for your film? Here are a few resources:
Production/Filming Assistance
Do you need some help making your film? Need performers or crew? Let Seattle-based Safeword Cinema give you a hand.
The all-female crew at ForPlay Films wants to produce and direct your film for you. See their work here and contact them here.
INSIDE HUMP! WITH FILMMAKERS
In September 2024, we had the opportunity to interview several past HUMP! filmmakers, giving them a chance to reflect on their unique journeys with the festival. They opened up about the inspiration behind their films, the challenges they faced, and the excitement of debuting their work in front of a live audience. They also offered insightful advice for future filmmakers looking to submit to HUMP! and shared what it felt like to be part of a creative community that embraces bold storytelling. Plus, we discussed how they got paid for participating in the festival, proving that creativity and compensation can go hand in hand.