ELIGABILITY:
1. Feature films (fiction and documentary) must not have been released in the UK in any format, including online, before their screening in the Festival.
** Exceptions may be made for films of exceptionally high quality or films that premiere at the London Film Festival only at the discretion of Festival staff.
2. Short Films have no premiere requirement but must not be publicly available online in the UK.
** All UK premiers are eligible for the CFF Audience awards.
3. Only films completed within the 18 months before the start of the festival are eligible for submission.
4. All submissions not in English must be provided with embedded English closed caption subtitles.
5. While it is not a requirement and will not affect your chances of being selected, we encourage filmmakers to include a supporting Closed Caption file with your submission where possible.
6. Previously submitted work will only be considered if it has been substantially altered.
7. All rights, permissions, and clearances must be obtained before submission, and applicants must ensure they have the right to submit the work. By entering your work, you agree to this and the responsibilities involved. The Cambridge Film Trust, the registered charity that runs the Cambridge Film Festival, assumes no responsibility for violation of copyright law and submission fees will not be refunded.
FEES AND WAIVERS:
The Cambridge Film Trust operates the Cambridge Film Festival (registered charity no. 1120059), and our annual operations and viewing the volume of submissions we receive are very costly; despite this, we offer several submission fee waivers and discounts.
1. We are committed to supporting local filmmakers, so we waive submission fees for filmmakers (directors and producers) based in Cambridgeshire.
2. Directors and producers who have previously screened films at the Festival are also entitled to a waiver.
3. To encourage submissions from directors from Black and Global Majority backgrounds, we offer a 25% discount.
Please email submissions@cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk to request any of these discounts and waivers.
Include your (FILM TITLE) and (DISCOUNT/WAIVER) as the email subject line.
Include either:
Proof of address (such as a scan/pdf of a current utility bill)
The year your previous work screened at CFF
Your request for the Black and Global Majority director discount
Fees will not be waived under any other circumstances, so please do not contact us to request that we make an exception, as we will not be able to do so.
Please note that submission fees will not be refunded.
SUBMISSION:
All films must be submitted via a secure online screener (FilmFreeway).
We encourage filmmakers to include their pronouns in their bios or alongside their submissions. E.G. Name: Elle Haywood (She/Her)
The festival reserves the right to change deadlines and to close submissions earlier than stated at our discretion.
SELECTION:
1. The Cambridge Film Festival team will carry out selection. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the selection process, and the decision of the Festival is final.
2. Unfortunately, due to the volume of entries, we cannot offer individual feedback or enter into a discussion about your work.
3. All successful submissions will be notified by email by 16th September 2024. Please ensure we can reach you in August and September to confirm your film's inclusion in the Festival programme.
4. All successful submissions will be listed on our website when the complete programme is announced.
5. Please do not send any press materials with your submission. Should your film be accepted, we request you send us digital images and other press/publicity materials, including press kits.
FESTIVAL SCREENINGS & SCHEDULING:
1. All screenings during the Festival period will take place at the discretion of the Festival. We reserve the right to change the advertised schedule at any time for any reason and will not accept liability for any costs incurred due to such changes.
2. You must not withdraw your film from the Cambridge Film Festival programme after its selection/participation has been confirmed. Without our prior agreement, it must not be screened elsewhere before its presentation at the Festival.
3. Your film must be available to screen as a DCP for an in-cinema presentation. No other formats will be accepted. DCPs of selected films must be received by the Festival at least one month before the start of the Festival.
4. The Festival cannot cover the costs of any format transfers or subtitling.
5. The Cambridge Film Trust will accept responsibility for technical damage to prints of selected titles while they are in the possession of the Festival and will reimburse the value of the print stock (or part thereof) only. Please ensure you have sufficient insurance to cover your work while in transit to and from the Festival.