CAT-TV & GNAT-TV Partner to bring the Shires One-Minute Film Fest to Bennington County!
GNAT-TV
Posted On July 11, 2025
BENNINGTON, VT — Catamount Access Television of Bennington (CAT-TV) recently announced its inaugural One-Minute Film Festival and is now partnering with GNAT-TV to expand the project into the ‘Shires One-Minute Film Fest’!
This community-centered event invites storytellers, artists, and aspiring filmmakers from across Southern Vermont to create and submit original one-minute films exploring the theme “home.”
Submissions are open now through October 10th, 2025. All selected films will premier on November 8th at a live screening and celebration at the Bennington Theatre.
“This is exactly what community media is about, providing space for expression, creativity, and local connection,” said Lisa Byer, Executive Director of CAT-TV. “It’s a shining example of how local media can partner together and create interactive opportunities for the community. This film festival will showcase the immense talent we have in our region, while elevating storytellers of all ages.”
The festival spotlights the culture, creativity, and everyday life of the Shires and neighboring towns. Through the lens of a camera, participants can explore what “home” means, whether it’s a place, a moment, or a feeling.
How It Works:
Who Can Submit: Anyone aged 10 and up
Theme: “HOME”, interpreted freely by the filmmaker
Submission Period: Now till October 25, 2025
Submission Platform: https://www.catamountaccess.com/filmfest
Entry Fee: $30 per submission or $50 for two entries
Equipment: Use your own camera or phone, or borrow equipment from CAT-TV or GNAT-TV
Screening Event: November 8, 2025 at the Bennington Theatre
Submissions will be judged by a panel of local educators, artists, and media professionals. The festival is organized by CAT-TV’s Production Manager Mike Cutler in collaboration with GNAT-TV and representatives from Southwest Tech, the Bennington Banner, and other regional partners.
Awards will be given for first, second, and third place, along with an Audience Choice prize. But more than awards, this is about spotlighting new voices, encouraging intergenerational creativity, and amplifying perspectives across our region.
The festival is made possible by the partnership between CAT-TV and GNAT-TV, with generous support from the Bennington Banner (Media Sponsor), Bennington Theater (Host), and sponsors including the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, The Bank of Bennington, and The Gamers Grotto.
“The Shires One-Minute Film Festival is not only a call to creativity, it’s a call to community,” said Cutler. “It’s about discovering what binds us, through film, through story, and through the powerful idea of ‘home.’”
To submit a film, become a sponsor, or learn more, visit www.catamountaccess.com or follow CAT-TV and GNAT-TV on social media.
