There might still be free submission web directory that are able to transfer link juice, but you have to find them, then you will have to wait for your website to be aproved, and things like that. The main problem is that if you submit your link to a free web directory there is no certainty that the free directory will not dissapear tomorrow. The hosting still costs money. If the web directory also accepts websites automaticly (without homan approval) then is just a link farm.
Whilst search engines still give weight to links, directory listings will continue to be worthwhile. Personally I use directory listings at the beginning of each SEO campaign that I run for clients; this is mainly due to the fact that these links, when manually approved, can take a long time to start showing up.