Entering our eighth year in 2024, Indie-Lincs is an International film festival that champions low and micro budget feature length and short films, and you the filmmakers. We pride ourselves, and have had superb feedback, on our 'family' atmosphere at the festival. Our high-quality diverse programme of independent films is bolstered by friendly networking events where our industry guests, actors, filmmakers and audience can all be found together discussing their work and the programme of films. Industry guests at the festival have included prestigious names such as, actor Rebecca Root (Boy Meets Girl), actor John Hollingworth (The Dark Knight Rises), writer/director/actor Steve Oram (Sightseers), writer/director and 2023 BAFTA nominee Georgia Oakley (Blue Jean), BUFF creator and producer Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE, and talent agent Tracey Hyde (Casarotto Ramsay & Associates).

We are also delighted to welcome our industry judges, that include actors Robin Laing (Band of Brothers) and Pauline Lynch (Trainspotting), as well as writer/producer/director Jeremy Wooding (Peep Show), film academic Mette Hjort, and Phillip Hoile (head of Bulldog Film Distribution) who is the judge for the feature film category.

"Indie-Lincs was recommended to me by a friend. I'm so glad we took part. It's everything a festival should be. We saw some world class films and made some valuable contacts. The organisers care about the people who take part and the staff and student volunteers were a credit to the festival. We'll definitely go back." William Bartlett - Indie Filmmaker

We want to see your fiction, documentary and animated films across the genre range of thriller, horror, sci-fi, drama and comedy. You will not find sequels, remakes or book adaptations here. Our aim is to help the best independent filmmakers from around the world showcase their original work and network successfully with their audience, other filmmakers and the independent film-making community. We want to see your dynamic, inventive and challenging narrative films that embody the low and micro budget film-making ethic.

Films will screen in the beautiful city of Lincoln 15th-17th FEB 2024 at Lincoln Art Centre's superb 400+ seater theatre on a huge screen. We are proud to be sponsored by The National Lottery via the BFI Film Audience Network, Bulldog Film Distribution, Lincoln Arts Centre, and Lincoln School of Film & Media & Journalism.

Our awards are all named after The famous Lincoln Imp, the emblem of our city. He resides high up on a stone pillar in the city's magnificent gothic Cathedral (arguably the UK's finest). This mischievous Imp is the perfect embodiment of the independent filmmaker's spirit; someone who dares to upset the equilibrium, and do things their own way.

The Angry IMP - Award for Most Challenging Film
The Big IMP - Award for Feature Film (sponsored by and judged by Bulldog Film Distribution)
The Little UK IMP - Award for UK Short Film
The Little International IMP - Award for International Short Film
The Baby IMP - Award for Student Film
The Thespian IMP - Award for Actor or Ensemble
The Friendly IMP - Audience Award

1. All submissions must have been completed after 1st Jan, 2022.
2. We accept films from anywhere in the world providing that they are English language or subtitled in English. No sequels, remakes or novel/book adaptations are accepted - they must be the original work of the filmmaker and writer.
3. All submissions must be narrative films; Fiction, Documentary or Animation - Music videos and Trailers are not accepted.
4. Feature films must exceed 70 minutes (including credits) and embody the micro or low budget film-making ethic.
5. Short films must be no longer than 25 minutes (including credits) and embody a low or micro-budget film-making ethic.
6. Filmmakers may submit more than one film.
7. Entered films must be submitted via FilmFreeway as an online screener - shortlisted filmmakers will be contacted and asked to submit a Digital copy of their film either on a memory stick, or via online transfer for screening purposes.
8. Filmmakers that have been shortlisted will be notified by 15th January.
9. All shortlisted films will be eligible for one of our awards.
10. Awards will be presented to filmmakers at our closing festival event on the 17th February, unless alternative arrangements are made with the winning filmmakers.
11. By submitting your film, you grant Indie-Lincs permission to screen your film, and use your film in whole (during the festival) or in part for promotional purposes (stills and marketing).
12. By submitting your film, you declare that all relevant permissions and copyright for the content of the film is in place. Proof of which may be required should the festival ask for verification.
13. All decisions made by Indie-Lincs regarding shortlisting and awards are final.
14. No premiere status is required in order to screen at Indie-Lincs, but films should not be available publicly.
15. Indie-Lincs do not offer full entry fee waivers (so please do not ask). We are committed to the notion of parity for all filmmakers; we keep our entry fees very low because we understand how expensive festivals can be. Every single penny of your entry fee is fed back into our festival costs and all of our staff are unpaid volunteers. We are a 'non-profit' organisation.
16. No fee refunds will be offered under any circumstances. Please make sure that you fully understand the rules & terms listed here before entering your film and paying the entry fee.
17. We do offer a festival ALUMNI discount, please contact us for the code.
18. Please be aware that every film entered to our festival is viewed and considered by one of our programmers, and while we endeavour to do so, we do not guarantee that programmers will watch the entire runtime of all films.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We had 9 clients screen at the 2024 edition, and Mikey and the team put on a great spread of films as well as talks for the visiting filmmakers. For filmmakers wanting a warm welcome definitely consider!

    In 2024 we had the following clients screen:

    A Day In The Life
    A Kind Of Kidnapping
    Broken Gargoyles
    Close
    He's Dead, Thanks
    Late To The Party
    Out Of Chaos
    Period Drama
    Seasalter Road

    March 2024
  • Markela Kontaratou

    Great organization and communication! Was happy to screen Scorched Earth there and will definitely apply future projects.

    February 2024
  • Absolutely fantastic film festival. I went down in person with one of my lead actors, as it was my first time at Indie-Lincs I didn't know what to expect but I was extremely happy with the result. The film screened in a very high quality cinema room, with great specs. The staff were friendly and attentive to introducing themselves to me, and making me feel welcome. There was a Q&A after my screening, with came with a great learning experience for myself as a filmmaker. Overall, I look forward to attending next year, with a film of my own or not.

    February 2024
  • Guy Lindley

    Unfortunately the team couldn’t attend on this one, however the communication we received from indie lincs was incredible and we received lots of friendly messages from other filmmakers about the screening. Thank you indie lincs.

    February 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Cheers Guy. Hope to see you at the fest next time.

  • Neil Baker

    Fab festival and a real good community feel. Really enjoyed this festival.

    February 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Neil. Hope to see you again soon.