Bath Film Festival

Rules & Eligibility

* Entries must be submitted by the stated deadline. Late submissions will only be accepted by prior arrangement.
* Entry is open to filmmakers and writers of any nationality unless otherwise stated within category eligibility.
* All submitted work must be original. Entrants are responsible for securing any necessary rights and copyright clearances.
* Films and scripts of any genre will be considered.
* Multiple entries are permitted, but each submission must be entered separately with the relevant fee.
* By entering, entrants grant permission for selected films/scripts to be screened, presented or read as part of Bath Film Festival and for names, film stills, titles and synopses to be used for festival publicity and promotion.
* The festival reserves the right to reject any submission at its discretion.
* The decision of the judges and programmers is final.
* Entry confirms acceptance of all festival rules and regulations.

IMDb New Filmmaker Award

Presented in partnership with IMDb.

* Open to short films between 1 and 10 minutes, including credits
* Open to films with no previous distribution
* Films must have been completed in 2025 or later
* Five shortlisted films will screen at the festival awards event
* Winner receives:

* £2,000 cash towards their next film
* £1,000 hire kit package from Visual Impact (UK filmmakers only)

Selected submissions may also screen elsewhere within the festival programme.

IMDb Script to Screen Award

Presented in partnership with IMDb.

* Open to original short film scripts between 1 and 10 pages
* Scripts must have been written after 1 January 2025
* Scripts must not have been previously produced, optioned or sold
* Scripts must be submitted anonymously, with no writer name on the document
* No revised drafts or additional materials will be accepted after submission
* Five finalists will be invited to the festival awards event, where scripts will be presented to a panel of judges
* Winner receives:

* £7,000 cash towards producing the screenplay
* £1,000 hire kit package from Visual Impact (UK filmmakers only)

Prize recipients are expected to use the award towards future filmmaking work.

South West Shorts Showcase

* Open to filmmakers based in the South West of England
* Films must be between 5 and 20 minutes, including credits
* Open to all genres including narrative, documentary, animation and experimental
* Films must have been completed after 1 January 2025
* Selected films will screen as part of a dedicated showcase during the festival
* Audience members will vote for the South West Shorts Audience Award

South West Feature Selection

* Open to filmmakers or creative teams based in the South West of England
* Feature films must be over 60 minutes
* Open to all genres
* Films must have been completed after 1 January 2025
* One selected feature will screen as part of the Official Selection of Bath Film Festival alongside major previews and new independent cinema from around the world

Release for Submitted Material

By submitting work to Bath Film Festival, entrants acknowledge that selected films and scripts may be screened, presented or read during the festival.

Entrants also agree not to pursue claims against Bath Film Festival, the IMDb Awards, judges, sponsors or partners regarding the use of material that may resemble submitted work in other projects or productions.