The British Independent Cinematography Awards was born out of recognising the need to showcase work from a broad range of filmmakers, enabling a platform of recognition to youngster shooting films on an iPhone or smartphone, DSLR shooter right up to filmmakers using top end Red/Alexa cameras.
As cinematographers ourselves we were largely seeing a lack of festivals celebrating the art of cinematography, especially for the younger generation of filmmakers that would have to compete with films shot on higher end equipment.
We also want to promote the philosophy of 'the camera doesn't matter' it's the creativity of using what you have access to that we are interested in.
This is where BIC Awards fit in! We have created an event that has categories specifically for certain cameras and price brackets of camera.
If you have shot on DSLR you won't be competing against a film shot on Red or Alexa.

Awards & Prizes

Best Phone/iPad Film

There have been some great mainstream films shot on iPhones. Some say the best camera is the one you have on you, same could be said for movie!

Best DSLR/Mirrorless Film

DSLR cameras proved to become popular with the birth of the Canon EOS 5D Mkii It became widely used in film and TV thanks to its massive full frame sensor and great HD quality. Today things have moved on with 4k and above sensors proving their worth in the filmmaking community.

Best Non DSLR camera costing under £1500 Film

If your camera is anything other than a DSLR as above and falls into this price bracket, this is the award for you. Anything goes even if it's an older camera using tape! There are lots of possibilities for this bracket including older HD cameras and handycams!

Best Non DSLR camera costing between £1500 - £3000 Film

Going up in price now with a bracket that can encompass quite a selection of kit! Show us what you have got, no matter what the make or model..

Best Non DSLR camera costing between £3000 - £6000 Film

Getting serious now! Starting to climb the ranks with your kit. There are a whole host of possibilities in this category, weather bought new or second hand, show us what you have got..

Best camera costing over £6000 Film

Okay you have invested some serious money now! Things are getting serious here and anything goes. Again weather bought new or second hand, show us what you have got with this amazing tech category.

Rules & Terms

BIC Awards accepts all forms and genres. All films must be in English or have English subtitles. Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered into multiple categories separately. BIC Awards reserves the right, at any time, without notice and without limiting any and all other rights we may have under these Rules & Regulations, at law or in equity, to remove and delete your entry to the awards.

Submissions must be an original work of the applicant and not based, in whole or part, on another author’s work (unless underlying material is in public domain). You agree that you will not submit any content that is libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, sexually, racially, culturally, or ethnically offensive, harassing, intimidating, threatening, hateful, discriminatory or abusive. There are no requirements regarding premier status or previously aired work. The film must however be no more than 3 years old at time of submission. Submission fees are non refundable.

There are no specific technical requirements other than you are able to supply a digital copy of the film or a link to a screener copy online. The film can be any aspect ratio, colour, black and white, experimental or otherwise. The films must be narrative in nature, no music videos or documentary films allowed!

You grant BIC Awards the right to publish your work in the way of video or still images on this website and other social media as part of any advertising that is deemed reasonable. The filmmaker reserves all rights to their work. BIC Awards will not be held responsible for work found to be infringing any copyright law. Laurels will be available to all work selected and certificates will be emailed to the submitter after judging has been announced.

Please state what camera make and model was used to film on when submitting your film.
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  • Lee Bailes

    So very grateful to have been selected for this festival and able to pick up an award in our category. I think it's a great idea to evaluate films in this way, to be mindful of means and resources etc. Great communication and hoping to eventually meet the other participants / network in the future.

    October 2020
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  • Raquel Choy

    Hello, my name is Raquel Choy and I feel happy to have participated in BIC-AWARDS with my short film "X". Great Festival and great people. I hope to participate in a future with more projects!!!

    October 2020
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  • cameron moon

    Really, really pleased to have been selected twice . Great to be part of a festival solely about cinematography. Many , many thanks! Excellent!

    October 2020
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