Are you a filmmaker aged 16 to 25? Would you like one of your short films to be considered for inclusion in the 15th BFI Future Film Festival, in February 2022?

We’re inviting filmmakers to submit their work to the BFI Future Film Festival, the UK's largest film festival for young people. This year we have a number of cash prizes up for grabs to support your next film and your career.

The format of the 2022 festival is yet to be decided, but we're committed to making it as accessible as possible to all filmmakers based in the UK and internationally. The format will be decided in line with government guidance closer to the time. If your film is selected, you will be invited to attend the festival at the BFI Southbank in London, UK or online. If the festival is held in-venue, you’ll be allocated a limited number of tickets for screenings of your film for contributors, family and friends. If you're selected, we'll keep you updated on the festival's format so you can best plan your festival attendance.

Your short must be 10 minutes or under in length, have been produced in the last two years and be an interesting and original concept, with good production values and an entertaining subject matter. You must have been aged 16-25 when you made the film.

Before you apply, please read the rules and terms below. For more information about the festival, head to the BFI website (bfi.org.uk/future-film-festival).

BFI Future Film Festival is a qualifying festival for the BIFA Best British Shorts category.

Good luck!

Awards & Prizes

The BFI Future Film Festival recognises films in the below categories with a number of cash and in-kind prizes:

• Best Animation
• Best Documentary
• Best Experimental Film
• Best Micro Short (under 3 mins in duration)
• Best International Film
• Best International Special Mention
• Best Writer
• Best Director
• Best Film
• Best New Talent

Rules & Terms

Before you send us your film, please make sure you have read the following:

- The director(s), producer(s) and screenwriter(s) must have been aged 25 or under when the film was completed. This does not include the actors, who can be of any age.

- Films must not have been completed earlier than 6 August 2019.

- Films can be any style or genre, but must be no more than 10 minutes in length.

- All the images and soundtracks used in your film must be your own or you must have permission of the copyright holder to use their music/images in your film.

- Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English, unless dialogue or commentary is unnecessary for comprehension and appreciation.

- To be eligible for the Best International Short Film Award the filmmaker/submitter must be based outside of the UK or a non-UK passport holder whose normal domicile is outside the UK. (‘Normal domicile outside the UK’ meaning that the person has lived in the UK for less than 2 years and does not intend to stay permanently). International students currently studying in the UK and those within the country temporarily are eligible to apply.

- By submitting your film to the Future Film Festival you give us permission to screen your film at screening(s) during the Festival and at special preview screenings or at spin off screenings such as BFI Film Academy events. You are also giving us permission to acquire the rights to put your film into the BFI National Film and Television Archive, to screen through BFI Player and other BFI Future Film Festival and Film Academy channels including online platforms and BFI partner platforms for an agreed time period.

- Please submit two still images from your film, a headshot, any poster artwork and press materials that can be used for promotional purposes (Hi resolution JPEG – no more than 3MB in size).

- We do not guarantee films will be selected for the Future Film Festival, but we will notify all submitters, whether selected or not, by Dec 17 2021.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Radheya Jegatheva

    Its incredible how much thought and care this festival gives to young filmmakers.

    I am very honoured to have been part of this

    May 2021
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  • Luis Gerardo LoGar

    Best festival experience thus far! If you're looking for a place to premiere your short-film among great pieces of work form people your age, BFI Future Film Festival is your best option!

    May 2021
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  • Kieran Stringfellow

    A fantastic festival for young filmmakers, and so glad we got to be a part of it. This was one of the most organised online festivals I've attended. The communication was great, the standard of films was incredible and there were loads of opportunities for networking with other likeminded filmmakers.

    March 2021
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  • Emmanuel Li

    One of the most life-changing festival experiences I've been to, and I didn't even have to get out of my pyjamas for it! Despite the online format, there was such a warm sense of community, and the communication from the Future Film team is second to none. I learnt a ton, watched some fantastic shorts and met some wonderful like-minded filmmakers. To the BFI and everyone who was involved, I raise my IRN-BRU Martini™ to you all - skoal! 🍸🧡

    March 2021
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  • Gustavo Gamero

    Amazing festival! I really had a great experience, the communication was excellent. Congratulations to all the festival members.

    March 2021
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