The Critics List

The Critics List is an international film festival & review competition presented by INFLUX Magazine.

• Every Film Reviewed.
• Every Voice Considered.
• Only 25 Make The List.

The Critics List is a review-focused film event dedicated to providing every officially submitted project with meaningful critical feedback. Rather than emphasizing awards or competition, The Critics List celebrates thoughtful film criticism and helps filmmakers gain valuable insight into their work.

Every eligible submission receives a published review written by one of our participating film critics. Reviews are permanently associated with the project, appear in the public Reviews archive, and may also be published by the participating critic through their own publication or media outlet when applicable.

At the conclusion of each review season, The Critics List recognizes exceptional filmmaking by announcing its annual Top 25 Movies, highlighting the most outstanding films reviewed throughout the year.

Whether you’re seeking professional feedback, public exposure, or an opportunity to add published criticism to your film’s portfolio, The Critics List provides filmmakers with lasting editorial recognition that extends well beyond the submission process.

Formerly called the INFLUX Film Awards, we have changed the name to express our changing goals and reach.

Any form, any genre, any length (up to 140 minutes).

Narrative, documentary, experimental, teleplay, mocumentary, action, action, adventure, comedy, horror, LGBT, romance, sci-fi, music videos, student films — basically anything! 

 MAIN CATEGORIES

• Feature Film
• Short Film
• Documentaries
• Any Genre

What we do and what we do not do!

• We do watch your movie and read your script in its entirety and give honest, thoughtful consideration.
• We do not do any type of public exhibition or display of your movie other than a trailer or approved promotional clips, so your movie will still qualify as a premiere in any festival you choose to submit to.

• The submitter must be directly involved (producer, director, writer) with the project or legally authorized to represent the project submitted;
• All projects must enter at least one Main Category before entering a Sub-Category. If an entrant only enters a Sub-Category, the submission will be automatically disqualified without a refund;
• All commercial/private property including all trademark, copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. Influx Magazine will NOT take responsibility for any infringement of copy-written materials;
• All submissions must be submitted via digital screener (Vimeo, FilmFreeway, other screening service; PDF, Word or Final Draft only for screenplays). We DO NOT accept physical submissions (DVD, Blu-Ray, etc);
• Award categories are decided at the discretion of INFLUX Magazine and may be subject to change;
• We do not accept pornography;
• All reviews and decisions are final.

Your project must be fully entered with all submission elements received  (application, fee, online screener) on or before the deadline. To be fair to all entrants, we do not offer any fee waivers.

All projects must enter a main category prior to entering a sub-category.

Submission Materials

Entrants are responsible for providing:

• An active screening link
• Passwords (when required)
• Accurate project information
• Poster or promotional artwork
• Any additional materials requested during submission

Screening links must remain active throughout the review period.

Rights & Permissions

By submitting a project, you confirm that you possess all rights necessary to submit the work for review and publication.

Filmmakers retain full ownership of their projects.

The Critics List and INFLUX Magazine claim no ownership of submitted works.

Editorial Independence

Critics maintain complete editorial independence.

Submitting a project does not guarantee a favorable review, recommendation, inclusion in the Top 25 Movies, or any other editorial recognition.

Constructive criticism is an essential part of the The Critics List mission.

Awards and Announcements for Current and Past Seasons can be found HERE.