Platform Comparison · 2026

FilmFreeway vs FestHome vs Click for Festivals.

An honest, filmmaker-side comparison of the three big festival submission platforms in 2026 — what each is best for, and how to combine them for a smart festival run.

Side-by-side comparison

FilmFreewayFestHomeClick for Festivals
Founded2014 (Los Angeles)2009 (Bilbao, Spain)2011 (Barcelona, Spain)
Festivals listed~12,000+~3,000+~3,500+
Regional strengthGlobal, US/UK dominantStrong in Europe (esp. Spain, Italy, France, Eastern Europe)Strong in Latin America, Spain, Mediterranean
Submission feesFestival sets fee, platform takes a small commissionFestival sets fee + €2 platform feeFestival sets fee + small platform fee
Free festivalsMany (filter "Free entry")LimitedSeveral free-entry festivals
Project storageUnlimited screeners, posters, stills, multiple cutsAdequate, less polished UIAdequate, simpler interface
Discount programsFrequent platform-wide discount codes, Gold subscriptionRegular discount campaigns, especially seasonalLess frequent platform-wide deals
CommunicationDirect messaging with festivalsMessaging supportedMessaging supported
Best forWorldwide submission strategy, US/UK/global indie festivalsEuropean indie & short film festival runLatin America, Spain, niche regional festivals

Verdict on each platform

FilmFreeway — the default for 90% of filmmakers

If you only use one platform, use FilmFreeway. It lists more festivals than the others combined, has the most polished interface, and is where every English-speaking festival lives. The Lycian Way International Film Festival, Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, TIFF, Slamdance, Locarno shorts, Palm Springs, and most Oscar-qualifying festivals all use it. If you're submitting to fewer than 20 festivals worldwide, FilmFreeway alone is enough.

FestHome — essential for a serious European run

FestHome lists many European festivals that aren't on FilmFreeway — particularly smaller and mid-tier festivals in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Eastern Europe. If your film is genre, art-house, or has a strong European target list, you'll find 30–50% more relevant festivals on FestHome than on FilmFreeway. The platform's €2 flat fee is also lower than FilmFreeway's commission on cheap submissions.

Click for Festivals — niche but useful in two cases

Use Click for Festivals if you're targeting Latin America, Spain, or smaller Mediterranean festivals. It lists festivals that don't show up on FilmFreeway or FestHome — especially in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and regional Spanish festivals. Skip it if your film isn't aimed at those markets.

The combined playbook

  1. Start every submission run on FilmFreeway. Build your project there first — it has the best screener and asset management.
  2. Cross-check your target list against FestHome. Search each target festival's name; if it's only on FestHome, submit there. If it's on both, FilmFreeway's UI usually wins.
  3. Only add Click for Festivals if you're targeting Latin America or Iberia specifically. Otherwise the time investment doesn't pay back.
  4. Never submit to the same festival twice on different platforms — it wastes fees and looks unprofessional if both submissions get reviewed.
  5. Use platform-wide discount codes whenever they appear. FilmFreeway runs Gold-member discounts; FestHome runs seasonal campaigns. A 20% blanket discount across 30 submissions saves $200–$400.

Frequently asked questions

Is FilmFreeway the best film festival submission platform in 2026?

For most filmmakers, yes. FilmFreeway lists more festivals (~12,000+) than any other platform, has the cleanest interface, and is where almost every major English-language festival accepts submissions — including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, TIFF, Locarno shorts, and the Lycian Way International Film Festival. FestHome is a strong supplement if you're targeting European indie festivals.

Should I use both FilmFreeway and FestHome?

Yes, if you're running a serious European or international circuit. FestHome lists hundreds of Spanish, Italian, French, and Eastern European festivals that aren't on FilmFreeway. For a US-focused or mainstream global run, FilmFreeway alone covers everything you need.

What is the cheapest platform to submit films to festivals?

FestHome typically has the lowest platform fee (€2 flat per submission), versus FilmFreeway's percentage commission. But the actual submission cost is set by each festival, not the platform — so the cheapest platform is wherever your target festivals are cheapest, not the platform itself.

Are there free film festival submission platforms?

There is no fully free major submission platform in 2026. However, many festivals offer free-entry windows on all three platforms (FilmFreeway has a "Free Entry" filter; FestHome and Click for Festivals run similar promotions). Festivals like the Lycian Way International Film Festival regularly include reduced or waived early-bird windows for emerging filmmakers.

LikyaFF on FilmFreeway

Submit your film to LikyaFF.

The Lycian Way International Film Festival accepts submissions on FilmFreeway across feature, short, documentary, and student categories.