IT’s ALL ABOUT THE STORY

Submit your film to the 2019 Barbados Independent Film Festival! Our Third Edition will run January 11-20, 2019, extending over two sun-filled weekends on the tropical paradise of Barbados.

BIFF is seeking gripping NARRATIVE, DOCUMENTARY and SHORT films that celebrate resilience and our capacity to overcome adversity. In addition, special submission categories include: thought-provoking and impactful ENVIRONMENTAL films and OCEAN-THEMED environmental and adventure “short-short films” (under 10 minutes) for our SHORTS ON THE BEACH competition.

In addition to screening story-driven films from around the world, BIFF showcases the work of emerging, independent filmmakers. Central to its mission is bringing filmmakers to Barbados to share their unique story-making process and facilitating networking opportunities through filmmaker excursions, workshops and collaboration grants.

Filmmakers will compete for a series of Jury, Festival Honors and Audience Awards. Each night films are paired with locally inspired events linked to highlighting the rich cultural and physical attributes of Barbados. Whether swaying to Caribbean rhythms under the stars at the outdoor Walled Garden Theatre, local food and drink tastings linked to film themes, or integrating local experts into post film discussions, BIFF endeavors to infuse a uniquely Bajan flavor into every event.

During its ten-day run, the Festival will offer opportunities to connect with enthusiastic new audiences, fellow filmmakers, film distributors and funders in relaxed, lush settings across the island. We look forward to welcoming you with a glass of rum punch and Bajan hospitality!

The Walled Garden-Barbados Film Festival Trust (WGBFFT) was formed in tandem with the Walled Garden Theatre Trust –whose mission is to support the conservation and restoration of the Barbados Museum and Garrison District (UNESCO world heritage sites) and invigorate them through the arts. The WGBFFT’s mission is to manage the Festival and related initiatives that support the arts, historic conservation and greater awareness of the link between environmental degradation and human health. Both the Walled Garden Film Festival Trust and the Walled Garden Theatre Trust are tax-exempt, charitable trusts. BIFF founders Sir Trevor Carmichael and Jennifer Smith are also Co-Directors and Executive Trustees for the Festival.

Awards & Prizes

Filmmakers will compete for:

Best of Festival
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Local Filmmaker
McNeel Impact Award - Feature Length Film that inspires and motivates change for a better world
Best Short Film (Under 30 minutes)
Best Short on the Beach - shorts under 10 minutes that celebrate our oceans
Carmichael Award for Exceptional Storytelling
BIFF Founders Award

Rules & Terms

All submitted films must comply with the Submissions Guidelines including deadlines, exhibition format, entry material, etc. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Final deadline for 2019 Festival submissions is August 20, 2018.

Your film will be watched, in its entirety, by at least 4 people; we therefore suggest that you submit your film as early as possible. Films submitted must be available in English or in the original language with English subtitles.

Entrants are responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, royalties, release forms, clearances, permits which are necessary to present their work. Neither the Walled Garden Barbados Film Festival Trust nor any of BIFF's venues is responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, or royalty infringement related to the work.

Notification will be emailed on September 15, 2018. All correspondence will be conducted through EMAIL ONLY to the original submitter.

The Barbados Independent Film Festival accepts entries via FilmFreeway.com, an online submissions platform.

5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Gregory Bayne

    Truly one of the best festivals I've had the opportunity to attend. Unbeatable setting, great audiences, a wonderful array of visiting filmmakers, and Jennifer and the entire festival team did an outstanding job of making us all feel welcome, and well taken care of. Highly recommend.

    January 2018
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  • Melissa Simmonds

    If the inaugural year is anything to go by the Barbados Independent Film Festival is one to watch out for . We were selected for their weekend Gala Screening; it was the best launch to our film and Preview we could have wished for as it was sold out with after show drinks and catering. Our screening and the festival in general was well attended and with good workshops and Q and A with the filmmakers. Another good reason to visit the island of Barbados every January.
    Thank you Trevor Carmichael and Jennifer Smith.

    March 2017
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  • Penelope Hynam

    A very successful first time Festival, as the scheduling and the quality of films were excellent and a great number of visiting filmmakers came in. Showing the environmental films on the beach beach was a brilliant idea ( although a tent might be an idea in future...)
    My main criticism was that the organizers were so carried away by the visiting filmmakers and their shiny feature films and Resumes that they forgot to honour the local filmmakers who were also selected for screenings. The foreign filmmakers have great access to publicity and their own screens. For local filmmakers not to be listed by name, photograph and Resume as the visitors were was a great disservice, especially to the younger ones whose only claim to fame is to be represented and recognized at a Festival. (They are unable to distribute their own work in most of their Caribbean countries!)
    One other problem: the Bahamas International Film Festival has been in existence, known to the film world as BIFF. What do you plan to do about your own intials BIFF?

    February 2017
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  • Noah Lang

    I haven't been to a first year festival with this much going for it - hospitality towards filmmakers, quality programming & venues, good attendance, and gracious staff & organizers.

    Looking forward to future editions and hopefully seeing the festival continue to grow.

    February 2017
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  • Stuart McBratney

    This is a fantastic festival in a stunning location, with world-class films and amazing people. Highly recommended!

    January 2017
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