Now celebrating its 7th year, the Bedford International Film Festival aims to be one of Virginia's leading film festivals for international film-makers. It is a unique platform for new talent and a celebration of cinematic creativity and innovation.

The Festival attracts a selection of shorts, features, and documentaries by film-makers working in every genre, and offers film fans an extraordinary day of watching films.

The 2025 Bedford International Film Festival will show many films including some well known classics in the heart of Bedford, Virginia.

The festival is open to any film in any genre between 1 minute and 120 minutes. We work with local merchants and vendors in order to provide your film-viewing experience as the most authentic and friendly festival in the state.

Awards & Prizes

$250 Amazon Gift Card for Feature Film and Feature length Documentary Winner

$100 Amazon Gift Card Short Film and Short Documentary Winner

Certificate of Win

Distribution consideration

Meet and greet with actors, filmmakers, and industry associates that are in attendance.

Rules & Terms

FILMS:
1. This festival is a competition in which artists submit their films to be judged by their peers and professionals.
2. Prizes consist of a cash prize and certificate of win and, if sponsors donate, winners are entitled to a portion of the donation. Any donations will be announced at the festival.
3. A certificate of winning is awarded to all winners in every category.
4. All selected films will screen free of charge.
5. The judge's selections are final.
6. Judges and volunteers may submit their own shorts or films.
7. There are no refunds of entry fees should you not win.
8. Selected films and winners may attend the festival for the showing of their films and receipt of their certificate of a win, however, travel and accommodations are at the sole expense of the winner.
9. Students must include a copy of their student ID to have the entry fee waived.
10. A single short film or feature film may enter only one category.
11. You may submit more than one short or film into separate categories. (I.E. you may submit two different shorts by two different names into the short category)
12. Entries must be submitted by the deadline.
13. Films may be in Black and White or Color, and Silent or with sound.
14. Films may be from any year.
15. There are no refunds should you submit a film that we are unable to access.
16. There are no refunds should you submit under false pretense, i.e. submit into a student category if not a student.
17. Films may be submitted through FilmFreeway.
18. We are not responsible for your sound or picture quality during any screenings.
19. You are obligated to give a SPECIAL THANKS to the BEDFORD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL should we connect you to a distributor that contracts you and provides any type of distribution, including but not limited to TV, theatrical, streaming, VOD, airlines, and etc.
20. Submission to the festival is your consent to these terms and conditions, including the public showing of your film to a public and private audience.
21. Unless you provide written notification, submission to this festival includes your consent for winning films to be shown on the following channels in connection to our festival: ROKU, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast, iPhone, and Android
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • yomna etedadi

    thank you Bedford.
    amazing festival

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you. We are glad you enjoyed and hope to see you for the 2025 festival. Happy Filmmaking!

  • Stephen Newton

    We rated this festival very low on communication because it was a week late notifying filmmakers about the status of their submissions. It is now one week and two days since the event, and although promised several times, winners have yet to be announced or posted. Festival web site is neither informative nor timely. The organizers post their brief updates on social media (X, Instagram, and Facebook) but not on their site which is linked to FilmFreeway.

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Stephen,
    We were glad to answer your emails as they came in but in the future we will post faster on both our website and our social media. We never want frustrated filmmakers and we know it's important to get the winners posted timely. We thank you for participating and supporting our small non-profit festival. Your feedback is very helpful.

  • Hunter Reardon

    Awesome festival, got to meet a lot of people, all-day event in a great town

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Hunter,
    Thank you so much for your participation and thank you for enjoying our festivities. Every year gets bigger and better and that is due to the support of filmmakers like yourself. We hope to see you next year as well.

  • Craig Selbrede

    A one of a kind gem of a festival. Everyone in attendance felt energized, inspired, and so so thrilled to be there.

    July 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Craig,
    Thank you so much. We are growing through the support of filmmakers like yourself and we are so glad that you enjoyed. It was a pleasure to show your film.

  • Dwight Sirls

    Thanks so much for the Honorable Mention for my documentary "In Black and White". It is a big honor!

    July 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Dwight,
    Thank you. We sincerely appreciate your incredible submission. We hope to see you and your work at future events.