Bittersweet Film Festival is a recently launched biannual event that provides an exciting new platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their abilities. Our aim is to create a night of cinema at Manchester's most unique creative space, Ancoats Studio.

Our team, which comprises event planners, coordinators, filmmakers, and producers, is committed to creating a film festival experience that stands apart from the rest. Our judges are actively working to recognise outstanding talent and provide award and selection notifications in a timely manner. We understand how agonising the wait can be, so we strive to streamline that process and share good news as soon as possible.

Partnered with OFF THE RAILS MAGAZINE, we're here to celebrate the art and craft of filmmaking from around the world.

Awards & Prizes

Each category's official selections, finalists, and honourable mentions will be awarded official Laurels in advance of the festival, and both the finalists and honourable mentions will have the opportunity to showcase their films at our festival hosted in Manchester. On the evening of the festival, the winners will be publicly announced.

Rules & Terms

Bittersweet is accepting short and feature length films from a variety of genre’s for this years festival and competitions.
GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS
The first submission deadline will run from January 10th to march 10th 2023.

1. Submissions will be accepted on a quarterly deadline. 
Early entry is encouraged for film makers to receive cheaper submissions, however this does not mean guaranteed selection.

2. Submissions must be submitted via online screener.

3. All submissions must have been completed after 10th January 2022.
 All films not in the English language are required to have English subtitles.

4. We do not believe in premier status, we want to showcase films from around the world and help promote film makers, we encourage not holding back your movie.

5. All FilmFreeway submissions for Bittersweet Film Festival are non-refundable.

6. If the film is selected for the Festival, for all promotional materials sent to Bittersweet Film Festival must be created by the submitting party. Bittersweet Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery of shipments. All charges must be pre-paid.

7. Selection of films is based on creativity, quality of narrative and production value.

8. 
We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms. 
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.