Live & Local's 6th Annual Big Picture Film Festival will take place from 28th August – 31st August 2025 in and around Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK. The festival will include a short film competition, live scores, Q&A sessions and more!

The theme for this year’s festival will be ‘Connection and Disruption'.

We are now accepting submissions for our short film competition. We're especially seeking work which is made by (or has a connection to) the Midlands but accept entries from across the UK. If your film is shortlisted, we will be in contact to ask how your film fits the theme. Please note, selected filmmakers will need to be available during the festival dates to receive your award and attend a Q&A screening.

This year's festival is supported by Stratford Town Trust.

Selected films will be available to watch on our website for ticketholders during the festival.

You will be invited to the screening of your short film at our 6th annual Big Picture Film Festival which will include a Q&A opportunity and certificate presentation.

Cash prizes will be:
Winner: £250
Runner Up: £100
Third Place: £50

1. The promoter is: Live & Local Ltd (company no. 2955922) whose registered office is at Live & Local, Pageant House, 2 Jury Street, Warwick CV34 4EW.

2. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom, except employees of Live & Local Ltd and their close relatives and anyone otherwise connected with the organisation or judging of the competition.

3. Entry fee is £6 per film.

4. By entering this competition, you agree to these terms and conditions.

5. Films must be no longer than 20 minutes. Preference is given to Midlands based filmmakers. Entrance to the competition is via FilmFreeway.

7. Closing date for entry will be 14/07/25 at 5PM GMT. After this date, no further entries to the competition will be permitted.

8. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.

9. By submitting a short film, you will automatically be entered into the competition. Please see details of submission requirements at www.liveandlocal.org.uk.

10. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice for any reason. Entrants will be notified of any changes as soon as possible by the promoter.

11. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.

12. The prize will be determined once the competition is open. The prize is as stated and no other alternatives will be offered. The prizes are not transferable. Prizes are subject to availability and we reserve the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.

13. All entries received and verified by Live & Local.

14. The winner will be notified by email. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 48 hours of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.

15. The promoter will notify the winner and runners up to advise when and how the prizes can be redeemed.

16. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

18. The competition and these terms and conditions will be governed by English law and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

19. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.

21. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with any social network. You are providing your information to Live & Local and not to any other party. The information provided will be used in conjunction with our Privacy Policy found at www.liveandlocal.org.uk.

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  • Parmjit Gill

    We were delighted that our film 'The Visit' was a runner up in the short film competition. Thank you for the very warm welcome from the festival organiser, Brian Harley. The Q&A following our film screening was a highlight.

    September 2024
  • Darren & Suzanne James-Teale

    Thank you to the Big Picture Film Festival for selecting our film Heartlands: Earth and Bones as first place in the short film competition.

    The screening and Q&A was a lovely opportunity to meet with and talk to the other winners in a personal and intimate environment that the venue, The Bear Pit, provides.

    The festival staff were friendly and welcoming and had great communication throughout the whole process.

    I'd certainly recommend entering your short films in 2025.

    September 2024