Join One of the World’s Leading IMDb-Qualifying Film Festivals!

Welcome to the Bristol Independent Film Festival (BIFF)—one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic platforms for global cinema! Proudly sponsored by FilmFreeway, we are dedicated to showcasing the very best in filmmaking from around the world.

Since our launch in 2017, BIFF has received submissions from over 160 countries, making us a truly international festival. Our screenings take place at the Bristol Megascreen, a 300-seat cinema, over a 3-day period, providing filmmakers with a premier venue to showcase their work to a large and engaged audience. Our mission is to support and celebrate filmmakers through diverse awards and industry recognition.

Why Submit to BIFF? 🎬

- A Thriving Community: BIFF fosters a creative space for filmmakers to connect, collaborate, and celebrate their craft.
- Networking Opportunities: Our networking booklets introduce winners to industry professionals, complete with contact details to encourage future collaborations. Additionally, we host exclusive networking sessions where all attending winners and nominees can connect in person, fostering valuable relationships and future collaborations.
- Awards and Recognition: We honor excellence with trophies, winner’s packages, and cash prizes to help fuel your next project.
- Global Exposure: BIFF offers filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience. We actively connect winning projects with distribution and production opportunities to ensure your film gets the recognition it deserves.

Audience Choice Award 🏆

New this year, we are excited to introduce the Audience Choice Award, allowing our festival-goers to cast their votes for their favorite film of the festival! This special recognition provides even more exposure and the chance to connect with an engaged and passionate audience.

Why Bristol?

Recognized by UNESCO as a “City of Film,” Bristol stands alongside global cultural hubs like Sydney, Rome, and Galway. As one of the city’s largest film festival, BIFF is committed to nurturing a vibrant hub for filmmakers, offering them a stage to shine.

We can’t wait to experience your work and celebrate film at our 8th annual edition of BIFF!

Awards & Prizes

We only award the most exceptional filmmakers after a comprehensive 3-stage evaluation process. Our judges assess the quality of filmmaking, creativity, and storytelling ability in each submission. This thorough process ensures that only the most outstanding films make it to the final stages.

All selected nominees will be invited to our live screening in Bristol, providing a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the industry.

All winners will receive the prestigious “winner” laurel, a hard copy certificate, and a special engraved “Bristol Film Festival” trophy, which will be presented at our live screening on Event Date. Winners and selected nominees who are unable to attend the event will be contacted by the BIFF team to arrange for the awards to be sent to the provided address.

All selected and winning nominees will be contacted by the BIFF team on the notification date for further information.

Rules & Terms

**Rules & Terms**

Please review the following guidelines before submitting your project:

1. Films completed before 2022 are not eligible for submission.

2. Non-English films must include English subtitles.

3. Submission fees are non-refundable.

4. Student filmmakers are encouraged to apply and must provide a valid Student ID to qualify for the student discount.

5. BIFF is not responsible for broken, corrupted, or non-functioning film files.

6. Films do not need to be publicly screened to be eligible for the festival, awards, or prizes.

7. BIFF is a competitive festival, and all officially selected films are eligible for competition unless stated otherwise. Not all submissions will be selected. All submitted films are automatically eligable for awards consideration and screening.

8. A jury of film professionals reviews and votes on all films with a fair and unbiased approach.

9. All genres and formats are eligible for consideration in one or more competitive categories.

10. BIFF reserves the right to decline any submission deemed inappropriate. If you wish to inquire about a submission decision, you may contact us at Bristolfilmfestival@gmail.com.

11. A submission fee is required. For details on fees and payment structures, please visit FilmFreeway.

12. Each entry requires a separate fee per category. A film may be submitted to multiple categories, but each category must be paid for individually.

69 Reviews
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  • Jorge Morais

    The Bristol Independent Film Festival has been a fantastic experience from beginning to end.
    One thing that really stood out was the excellent communication throughout the entire process. Every update and announcement was shared well in advance, giving filmmakers plenty of time to organise their schedules and, where possible, attend the festival. That level of professionalism and consideration is something I truly appreciated.
    Unfortunately, due to professional commitments, I wasn't able to attend the live screening in Bristol. It was something I was genuinely looking forward to. Even so, my whole team and I were delighted by the warm welcome and support that In Half received from the festival.
    I would highly recommend Bristol Independent Film Festival to any independent filmmaker. It is a well-organised festival that clearly values both its filmmakers and the films it showcases.
    I sincerely hope the festival continues to grow and remains a wonderful platform for independent cinema for many years to come.

    Jorge Morais
    Director & Producer / In Half

    June 2026
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  • Jose Otero

    Hey team. Thanks so much for having me and showing Burning Heart. I had a great time and it was so cool to watch the film at the size. Hope to see you all again.

    June 2026
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  • Thomas Zimmerman

    It was an honor to receive BIFF’s Best Screenplay Award for Shadow Self. BIFF is an exceptional festival that gives meaningful international exposure to filmmakers and writers from more than 160 countries. My story follows a South Side Chicago teenager drawn into a 1960s mob cigarette-smuggling operation, only to discover that the most dangerous criminal is not the man who recruits him, but the reckless shadow within himself. The recognition confirmed my impression that BIFF evaluates every submission impartially, with its focus firmly on craft, originality, and the power of the story.

    June 2026
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  • Leigh Haggerwood

    Organised by passionate people who genuinely love film and are committed to championing independent filmmakers, this festival was a pleasure to be part of. The event was exceptionally well organised, creating a welcoming and professional atmosphere throughout. The audience was warm and engaged, and I particularly enjoyed the Q&A session, which provided a great opportunity to connect with fellow filmmakers and film lovers alike.

    It was an honour to have my work included in the programme, and I was delighted to receive a beautiful award at the end of the evening. I would highly recommend this festival to any filmmaker looking for a supportive and inspiring platform to showcase their work. Given the dedication and vision of the team behind it, I have no doubt that it will continue to grow and become one of the UK's most prestigious film festivals.

    June 2026
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  • Tom Paul Martin

    Bristol Independent Film Festival was such a great experience. It was a joy screening 'WHERE ARE ALL THE GAY SUPERHEROES?' at their 2025 edition.

    This is a festival that really goes the extra mile when it comes to looking after filmmakers. Not only was communication great before and after the festival, but Jon, Hollie and the whole team went to great lengths to make sure myself and the other filmmakers had a great time throughout the weekend. After our screening, we ended up going on a night out with a mix of audience and other filmmakers.

    It's always great to watch our film with an audience, and on this front BIFF really excels - all the films were screened on a giant screen at Bristol IMAX, in front of an almost fully sold-out crowd! Add to this the media attention and PR they generate for each film, personalised Q&As and awards, and it's clear this is a very special festival not to be missed.

    May 2025
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