The WETD Inaugural Film Festival is the first hybrid digital + physical film festival in Wisconsin — a cinematic event that blends Roku streaming with a real‑world red carpet, award show, and creator celebration. This festival launches the WETDMoviesChannel and forms the foundation of Season 1.

This is not a traditional festival where films vanish after one night. This is a festival where every accepted film gets published on a real streaming platform available in millions of homes. This is the Hollywoodization of Midwest creators — and the beginning of a multi‑city cinematic universe.

The WETD Film Festival exists to:

• Launch the WETDMoviesChannel

• Showcase independent filmmakers across Wisconsin and beyond

• Build a multi‑city creative community

• Create a hybrid digital + real‑world cultural event

• Drive installs, traffic, and brand awareness

• Reward early WETD customers with VIP access

• Establish WETD as a regional and national entertainment force

This festival is the spark that ignites the WETDMovies movement.

The WETD Film Festival runs in two powerful parts:

Digital Festival (Hosted Entirely on Roku)

• Opening Ceremony

• Film categories and curated playlists

• Viewer’s Choice voting

• Filmmaker interviews

• Behind‑the‑scenes content

• Sponsor highlight reels

• Closing Ceremony

Viewers watch from home, vote from home, and experience the festival as a real streaming event.

Physical Event (Party + Award Show)

• Red carpet

• Step‑and‑repeat banner

• Photographers

• Live DJ and music

• Food and drinks

• Networking

• Award ceremony

• Afterparty

• VIP access for First‑In‑FreakOut customers

This is the Hollywood energy brought to Wisconsin — with expansion energy from the Capitol District, Washington DC, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.

Films are organized into professional, festival‑grade categories:

• MicroShorts (under 3 minutes)

• Short Films (3–20 minutes)

• MidLength Films (20–45 minutes)

• Feature Films (45–120 minutes)

• Documentaries (any length)

• Animation (any length)

• Student Films (any length)

• Experimental (any length)

These classes help structure the Roku channel and give filmmakers a clear place to shine.

Submission Guidelines

To keep the festival clean, consistent, and high‑quality, submissions must follow these guidelines:

Technical Requirements

• Resolution: 1080p preferred, 720p minimum

• Format: MP4 (H.264), MOV acceptable

• Audio: Stereo, 44.1kHz or 48kHz

• Aspect Ratio: 16:9 preferred

• Subtitles: Optional but encouraged

Content Requirements

• Must be original work

• No copyrighted music unless licensed

• No hate speech or illegal content

• Mature content allowed with proper labeling

Submission Process

• Upload via the WETD submission portal

• Fill out filmmaker profile

• Agree to digital rights terms

• Provide poster image and description

• Optional: behind‑the‑scenes clip or director intro

Submission Fee

$0 for the inaugural year

• This encourages maximum participation and builds the Season 1 library fast.

The festival is built like a real entertainment event:

Digital Structure

• Opening Ceremony

• Category playlists

• Viewer’s Choice voting

• Filmmaker interviews

• Sponsor highlight reels

• Closing Ceremony

Physical Structure

• Red carpet

• Step‑and‑repeat

• Photographers

• DJ and music

• Food and drinks

• Award show

• Afterparty

• VIP access

This hybrid model is the signature identity of the WETD Film Festival.

The WETD Film Festival features a full award lineup:

• MicroShorts Award

• Short Film Award

• Student Film Award

• Documentary Award

• Animation Award

• MidLength Award

• Feature Film Award

• Viewer’s Choice Award

• WETD Rising Star Award

• WETD Founder’s Award

Awards are presented during the physical event by sponsors, VIPs, and WETD partners.

The WETD Film Festival is more than an event — it’s the birth of a new entertainment ecosystem.

It gives filmmakers:

• real distribution

• real visibility

• real community

• real revenue share

• real festival experience

• real red carpet moments

It gives WETD:

• a content pipeline

• a Season 1 foundation

• a creator network

• a multi‑city footprint

• a cultural identity

This is how WETDMovies becomes a real entertainment network.

If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, submit your film, attend the event, or become a sponsor. The WETD Film Festival is the future of independent film — and the movement starts here.