Fans of bizarre, experimental or otherwise divergent movies are served every year at the international festival for B-movies, Underground and Trash films, known as the BUT Film Festival (BUTFF for short), in Breda (the Netherlands). Five days of out-of-the-ordinary films, shorts, docs, art, performances, poetry, music, food, beer and other extravaganza. Infamously known as the enfant terrible of the Dutch film festival landscape, BUTFF offers an alternative place where (both underground and established) filmmakers, distributors and the audience meet each other to celebrate the BUT-genre. Its film program contains every year roughly around 50 feature and 50 short films, mainly focussing on the weird and the wicked of low-budget, independent and genre cinema. Usually about 70% of the program consists of new films, the rest is retrospective. For each festival edition, three films are nominated for the BUTtest feature award and four or five shorts for the BUTtest short award. The winners are decided by a carefully selected external jury every year.

BUTFF has hosted many internationally renowned guests over the years including; John Waters, Lloyd Kaufman, Enzo G. Castellari, Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson, Rodrigo Aragão, Barak Epstein, Nick Zedd, Remy Couture, Bruce LaBruce, Debbie Rochon, Richard Stanley, Marian Dora, Fred Vogel, Jörg Buttgereit, J.T. Petty, Andrew van den Houten, Wenzel Storch, Scott Schirmer, Christian Veil, Adam Wingard, Javi Camino, Harry Kümel, Norbert Pfaffenbichler, Robert ‘Bronzi’ Kovacs, Jim Groom, Laurence R. Harvey, and many others…

BUTFF is a non-profit festival, run by a foundation (IDFX) and volunteers.

6,66 euros is charged for submitting feature films and 1 euro for short films.

BUTtest Feature Award [awarded by the jury]

BUTtest Short Award [awarded by the jury]

Bloody Beginner Award [awarded by veteran organisers of the festival; celebrating the upcoming talent]

Honorary Award [formerly known as the ‘Super Awesome Award’, ‘Groundbreaker Award’, the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and ‘BUTtiful Acting Award’; this is our prize to honour the cinematographic achievements of our main guest(s)]

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT, PLEASE READ THE DESCRIPTION OR CHECK THE WEBSITE: butff.nl

• DO NOT SUBMIT FILMS THAT DO NOT FIT OUR CATEGORIES!
• DO NOT SUMBIT VIDEOCLIPS, SCRIPTS OR TRAILERS ONLY!
• ONLY SUBMIT ENGLISH SPOKEN AND/OR ENGLISH SUBTITLED!

Our program team will decide the selection for the film festival. Submissions might also be screened on other occasions by our festival, such as during WinterBUT and BUT-on-tour events throughout the year.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • "THE RESILIENCE" found its place among bold and fearless films that push the boundaries of horror, fantasy, and the surreal. The festival’s spirit —uncompromising, passionate, and deeply committed to independent voices— made every moment a celebration of creative freedom.

    We are truly grateful to the festival team and audience for embracing our film and giving it such a powerful platform. Exhibiting La Resiliencia in Breda reminded us why we tell stories that disturb, move, and ultimately, heal.

    With deep gratitude and inspiration to keep creating from the shadows.
    — Vadir Sottelo

    October 2025
  • Geoff Harmer

    I was unable to attend, but friends of mine were there, and have nothing but ultimate praise for the festival! We are INCREDIBLY honoured to have been selected! A great team behind a great festival! Thank You!!!

    September 2025
  • Grand Guignol

    Great festival. More like this.

    September 2025
  • Mike Davis

    BUT is an incredible, courageous long running festival put on by dedicated staff and programmers who truly understand the movie genres of their namesake. Championing b-movies. underground and trash comes along with a spirit of joy, rebellion, fun, experimentation and innovation that these guys share with their audiences and participating filmmakers. Thank you Ryan and BUT staff for your awesome communication, care and attention while screening DEAD, WHITE AND BLUE!

    September 2025
  • Darren McInnes

    It was a pleasure to have my short film The Bait Man selected to play at BUT. Communication with Erwin was clear and straight forward and he answered any questions I had.
    Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend but it sure looks like a good time! Maybe I can make the trip next year. Keep up the great work everyone!

    September 2025