An international film festival held in Birmingham, England, showcasing and recognising talent on a world stage.

All screenings and many events are free to attend.

Held every November and including features, shorts, documentaries, screen plays, TV pilots and music videos on our main theatre screen, as well support events with special guests.

Distributors, producers and press from all over the world will be on hand to view the films screened and there will be the chance to network with them at the festival too. Many of the industry’s top companies and film schools will also be in attendance offering advice on education and career opportunities.

Other events and networking opportunities will be announced closer to the date. These will include seminars, Q&As, conventions and memorabilia expos.

There will be a high calibre panel of special guest judges, from various areas of the industry, who will review the nominees’ entries and select the winners at the festival’s closing event. The award ceremony will be held at a high-profile venue in the city and be an open ticket event.

Awards & Prizes

STANDARD AWARDS:

Best Film Overall (BFF Bull Award)
Best Feature
Best Short
Best Micro Short (under 5 minutes)
Best Documentary
Best Screenplay - Feature Film
Best Screenplay - Short / TV
Best Music Video
Best Animated Film
Best TV Show
Best Online Content
Best Male Actor
Best Female Actor
Best Ensemble cast
Best Cinematography
Best Costume
Best Editing
Best Stunt
Best Hair & Make Up
Best Production Design
Best Fan Film
AUDIENCE AWARD - voted for online and at screenings.

SPECIAL AWARDS
Please identify if your film qualifies for any of the following awards:

Best Young Film Maker (director/producer was under 18)
Best Young Male Actor (lead male actor under 18 at time of filming)
Best Young Female Actor (leadfemale actor under 18 at time of filming)
Best First Time Filmmaker
Best Student Filmmaker
Best Local Film (Birmingham based production, theme or cast and crew)
Best International Film (produced outside the UK or made by a filmmaker born outside the UK)
Best Original Score (Music created for your film specifically)
Best Special Effects (Your effects, digital or practical may be so good, we can't see them)

Please visit the official website to find out the criteria and entry process for the awards.

Rules & Terms

Films must not have had a commercial release prior to submission.
Short films must be under 72 minutes
Feature films must be 72 minutes or longer.

WE DO NOT REQUIRE PREMIER STATUS
93 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Russell Dixon

    Thank you for selecting That's The Respect Side to be featured at Birmingham Film Festival. It was an amazing experience to get to see our film projected onto the very screen I watched Avatar on back in 2009!

    Comms leading up to the event were great, and operations during the day I attended were ace...a very well ran event and highly recommended to all creatives and film fans in the west midlands and beyond!

    March 2024
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  • Alec McPhedran

    Good mix of content and lively atmosphere.

    February 2024
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  • Katerina Kalketenidi

    Thank you for awarding BITTER TASTE the Best Short Film Award at Birmingham Film Festival 2023. It's an an incredibe honour. At BFF, our film was projected on a gigantic IMAX screen to a packed audience of cinema lovers of all ages. The organisers are friendly, down to earth and passionate, and there were lots of fun activities and networking opportunities running adjacent. BFF2023 was a wonderful experience and one of the busiest film festivals we had attended all year. Will definitely be applying again.

    December 2023
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  • Laura Marklew

    A Fantastic Event
    Highly Recommended ............................
    Goes above and beyond ensuring all nominees and guests have an insightful evening full of creative people coming together

    December 2023
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  • Ilirian Bushi

    An amazing festival experience from start to finish, with great communication and opportunities for networking. Dean and Kevin are really supportive and the whole festival was fantastic. A great screening at Millenium Point in Birmingham and a Q and A session following the film and as for the Gala Awards, what a night!

    December 2023
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