Free Guide to Submitting Videos to America's Funniest Videos

Understanding America's Funniest Videos and What They're Looking For

America's Funniest Videos (AFV) is a long-running television show that has been on the air since 1989. The show features video clips submitted by viewers from across the United States. These videos showcase humorous moments—often featuring people, pets, or unexpected situations—that are meant to entertain the audience. The show airs on ABC and has become a cultural fixture in American television, with millions of viewers tuning in regularly to watch the submitted content.

Get Rid of Ground Bees: Safety and Professional Help →

The show's producers receive thousands of video submissions each month from people hoping to see their footage featured on television. Understanding what the show is actually looking for can help you determine whether your video might be a good fit. AFV generally accepts videos that are genuinely funny, feature real moments (not scripted or staged content), and are family-friendly. The show has been running for over three decades, which means the producers have developed a clear sense of what entertains their audience.

The videos that tend to perform best on AFV are those that capture authentic, spontaneous moments. Common themes include people having accidents or mishaps, children saying or doing unexpected things, animals behaving in silly ways, or everyday situations that take an amusing turn. The show is not looking for professional production quality or polished content. In fact, many of the most popular AFV videos are shot on smartphones or home cameras with basic equipment.

It's important to note that AFV has specific rules about content. The show will not feature videos that contain violence, graphic content, or anything that could be considered cruel to people or animals. They also won't show content that's sexually explicit or that demeans anyone. Understanding these boundaries before you submit can save you time and ensure your video follows the show's guidelines.

Practical Takeaway: Watch several episodes of America's Funniest Videos before submitting. Pay attention to the types of videos that get featured and think about whether your video fits a similar style and tone. This will give you a realistic sense of your submission's potential.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing Your Video

Before you submit a video to AFV, you'll want to make sure it meets their technical requirements and that you have the proper legal permissions. The first step is to review your video and think about its content. Is it genuinely funny? Does it show something unexpected or amusing? Is it family-appropriate? If you can answer yes to these questions, you're ready to move forward with preparation.

Get Your Free Dental Implant Cost Guide for Los Angeles →

Video format and quality matter when you're submitting to AFV. The show accepts videos in most common formats, including MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Your video should be in high definition if possible, though the show will also accept standard definition videos. The minimum requirement is that the video be at least 720 pixels wide. If your video was recorded on a smartphone from the last several years, it likely meets these requirements. Videos that are too small or in outdated formats may not be accepted or may need to be converted before submission.

The length of your video matters as well. AFV typically prefers videos that are between 15 seconds and 10 minutes long. Shorter videos that get straight to the funny moment tend to perform better than longer videos with a lot of setup. If your video is longer than 10 minutes, consider editing it down to include only the most entertaining parts. Most viewers lose interest if a video takes too long to reach the humorous moment, so editing is usually worth the effort.

Before editing, make sure you have the original video file. If you've already edited the video through social media apps like TikTok or Instagram Reels, you should try to get the original, unedited version if possible. This gives AFV more flexibility in how they use the video if it gets selected. Additionally, you'll want to make sure your video doesn't contain any copyrighted music or sounds that you don't have permission to use. If your video includes music in the background, AFV may not be able to use it due to licensing restrictions.

Practical Takeaway: Create a folder on your computer or phone where you store the original video files you plan to submit. Include the high-resolution versions and note the file format and dimensions. Having organized files ready makes the submission process much quicker and reduces the chance of technical problems.

Obtaining Permission and Understanding Legal Requirements

One of the most important steps in preparing to submit a video to AFV is obtaining the proper permissions. If your video features people other than yourself, you may need to get their permission to submit it. AFV requires that you have the legal right to submit the video and that everyone in the video has agreed to its submission. This is a serious legal matter, and the show takes it seriously.

Free Guide to Grand Canyon Mule Rides Planning →

If your video includes friends, family members, or anyone else who is recognizable in the footage, you should get their written permission before submitting. This doesn't have to be a formal legal document—a text message, email, or even a verbal agreement can work in many cases, though written permission is preferable. If the video features children, you'll typically need permission from their parents or guardians. AFV may ask you to provide proof of these permissions, so it's wise to document them.

If you're filming in a location that's not your own property—such as a store, park, or someone else's home—you may also need permission from the property owner or manager. For example, if something funny happens at a friend's house, you should let them know you're planning to submit it. Most people are happy to grant permission, especially if they might appear on national television. Getting permission upfront prevents complications later on.

There are also privacy considerations to think about. If your video accidentally captures someone in the background who didn't agree to be filmed, this could create issues. When possible, try to keep your video focused on the people who have given permission. If the video cannot be submitted without showing someone else, you may need to contact AFV to discuss options, which might include blurring or cropping parts of the footage.

For videos involving animals, you should make sure the animals were not harmed or distressed in any way. AFV will not feature content that appears cruel or dangerous to pets or wildlife. If your video shows an animal in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation, it will likely be rejected. The show wants to ensure that all content is fun and safe for everyone involved, including animals.

Practical Takeaway: Before you film anything you plan to submit, have a quick conversation with anyone who might appear in the video. A simple text saying "I recorded this funny moment—is it okay if I submit it to America's Funniest Videos?" takes just seconds and protects you from legal problems down the road.

Creating an Account and Navigating the Submission Process

To submit a video to AFV, you'll need to visit the official America's Funniest Videos website. The website has a dedicated submission section where you can create an account and upload your video. Start by going to the AFV website and looking for the "Submit Your Video" or "Submissions" link. This will take you to the submission portal where you can begin the process.

Learn How to Pay Your Spectrum Mobile Bill →

When you create your account, you'll be asked to provide basic information such as your name, email address, phone number, and home address. Make sure to use current, accurate information since AFV will use these details to contact you if your video is selected. Use an email address that you check regularly. If your video is chosen for the show, AFV needs to be able to reach you quickly to discuss the next steps.

The submission portal will ask you to upload your video file. You can typically do this by clicking a button to choose a file from your computer or by dragging and dropping the video into the upload area. Make sure your video file isn't too large—most submission systems have file size limits, usually around 4GB. If your video is larger than this, you may need to compress it or re-export it in a different format.

After uploading your video, you'll be asked to provide information about it. This includes the title of the video, a description of what happens in it, and details about when and where it was filmed. Be honest and clear in your description. Explain what makes the video funny in a way that would make someone want to watch it. Avoid exaggerating or making false claims about the content. The AFV team will watch the video themselves, so they'll quickly know if your description doesn't match what they see.

You'll also need to confirm that you have permission to submit the video and that you own the rights to it. This typically involves checking a