8th Edition of BIFF - 2024

BIFF celebrates resilience and its capacity to overcome adversity. We welcome narrative, documentary and short films to our annual festival.

BIFF provides a platform for the pressing issues of our time from sociocultural to environmental issues by listening to those most affected, and building a community of inclusivity and regeneration. The festival also celebrates subaltern and indigenous narratives from local and regional filmmakers. Through stories on a local level, BIFF provides the space to question the global currents of our time.

Filmmakers will compete for a series of jury, festival honours and audience awards. Each night films are paired with thematic events like our cine-cuisine night, a very special night which brings together farmers, chefs and film.

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.

Best Feature Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Short Film (films of up to 50 mins)

Carmichael Award for Exceptional Storytelling- up to $5000 award for stories of any length on the theme of the human condition.

McNeel Impact Award – up to $5000 award for films of any length on the environment

BIFF & Parachute Film Studios collaboration grant for Barbadian filmmakers to a value $10,000.00 award (applicants must be age 18+ and resident of Barbados) for short films 10 minutes and under.

** All films that meet the thematic criteria for the McNeel and Carmichael awards will be considered by the selection committee**

All films must comply with the Submissions Guidelines including deadlines, exhibition format, entry material, etc. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The Final deadline for 2024 Festival submissions is December 1, 2023. Films should be no more than one year old and have a release date of no earlier than November 2022.

Your film will be reviewed, in its entirety, by our selection committee. 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 are responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, or royalty infringement related to the work.

Notification will be emailed on December 20, 2023. 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Veialu Aila-Unsworth

    I feel really honoured and proud that my Indigenous short film was selected for this little gem of a festival! I attended it for the first time in 2024 and had an incredible, heartwarming experience. The BIFF organizers go above and beyond to make the filmmakers feel welcome and taken care of. The film screenings, gala night, panel talks, and workshops are held at very unique venues around Barbados: a beautiful beach, an old sugarcane factory that's been renovated, a charming walled garden, and a film studio. The selection of films was just wonderful; both local and international films with environmental and social justice messages. As a filmmaker, I was very inspired by the other films and at every screening had the chance to meet other filmmakers, film lovers, and industry experts. A very friendly vibe! BIFF also organized a wonderful visit to Walkers Reserve where we planted trees and learned about regenerative agriculture; walking amongst the trees and gardens was magical. Thank you BIFF for the most AMAZING experience and for supporting Indigenous voices! Filmmakers, submit your films and go to this truly unique festival!!

    February 2024
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    We were honoured to host Veialu and her husband with her beautiful film Butterfly/ Bataplai at the Festival and to learn about the Papuan New Guinea-American perspective. We look forward to seeing you with your next film,
    Best, the BIFF team

  • thanks for everything:) Hope to see you again

    January 2024
  • Oriana Ng

    I highly recommend this incredible festival, well worth the trip if you can make it. My 4 day trip was packed with screenings, events, workshops, tours, and a gala! You will be able to meet local filmmakers, crew, actors, visit several places on the island and experience Barbados in a unique and exciting way. The BIFF team are incredibly generous and go above and beyond to take care of their filmmakers. The programming was fantastic, featuring eye opening movies a strong social and environmental consciousness, and a lot of heart. My short was part of the screenings on the beach, a really special event that attracted a huge audience. Thank you, dear BIFF, for this unforgettable experience!

    January 2024
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    It was such a pleasure to have Oriana with her winning film Exit at the Festival. we look forward to seeing you with your next film, Best, the BIFF team

  • Deborah Anderson

    I felt so welcomed at the festival, great communication from the BIFF team and an overall sense of inclusion in all of the films and activities that were held during the festival. I met some wonderful people as well as Barbadian dignitaries that showed such a passion for the films presented. An honor to get to show my film here and an incredible backdrop to be on the island of Barbados.

    May 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    It was such a honour to have Deborah at the Festival. WOTWB was an important film. The panel was lively and informative and we very much hope to see you back with your next project. Best, The BIFF Team

  • Andrea Ware

    Wow what an amazing festival! 5 days of brilliant films & events. I connected with such great filmmakers and creatives from all over the world. BIFF is seriously passionate about what they do and do I even need to mention location...a very special festival, can't recommend enough

    April 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    It was such a pleasure to have Andrea at the Festival. Thank you for your support, it was a pleasure to host her
    Best the BIFF Team