Bristol Science Film Festival runs an annual science film competition to support all those film-makers trying to tell the most interesting facts (or science fictions), no matter their resources. Shortlisted films are screened on the Big Screen in Bristol and at a special film-makers screening during the Festival. We also run a bunch of other film-themed events during the Festival for anyone and everyone: see you there!

In each category:

First Prize - £150
Runner up - £50

>Bristol Science Film Festival is a non-profit, volunteer-run community interest company.

>The official selection of the short films presented at the Festival is the responsibility of the Festival Directors. The official selection is at the discretion of the Directors and their decision is final.

ELIGIBILITY

>Submitted films must be 10 minutes or fewer and be either a non-fiction, science-based film, or have a science fiction theme.

>To be considered for the science fiction category, the film must have clear science inspiration.

>Submitters may be either amateur or professional. Classification as either is determined by whether the film was paid for (professional) and whether the film was made with professional standard equipment (most likely professional, unless the equipment was borrowed). Amateur filmmakers include those with student status and hobbyists. Bristol Science Film Festival reserves the right to dispute this classification at any stage of the selection process. This will not cause you to be disqualified, but simply moved categories.

>Submitted films must be in English or have English subtitles embedded in the film. Any foreign language films without English subtitles will be disqualified.

>If your film is shortlisted it will need to meet the specifications of Big Screen Bristol. If your film does not currently meet these specifications, please be prepared to reformat it if your film is shortlisted.

>The film submitter must have permission to submit the film from a distributor or sales agent representing the film and must have obtained necessary permissions for the inclusion of copyrighted music and/or images within the films. By submitting through FilmFreeway, the submitter confirms that they possess all rights necessary for the screening of the submitted film at this film festival.

>Films must be submitted via the FilmFreeway platform only. We do not accept submissions through our website or email address.

>Films must not contain any material that may be considered offensive. This includes material of a racist, sexist, ableist or homophobic nature. Films containing any such material will be disqualified.

>Multiple Submissions are welcomed.

>Entries must be entered by the entry deadline of May 1st 2022. Judging will begin after this date. Please ensure your film is still available to view after this date if you have submitted earlier.

FILM USAGE

>We may use excerpts of your film for promotional purposes but we will not edit or modify your film beyond that. If you do not wish your film to be used for this purpose then please let us know via email.

>If shortlisted, the film will be screened during our Film Festival via any combination of: a virtual online screening, a theatre-based screening and a public screening on Big Screen Bristol. Event dates will be announced closer to the competition closing date.

>We may use your film in events in future film festivals such as the film trail. If you do not wish your film to be used for this purpose please let us know.

>Bristol Science Film Festival will not share your data with anyone without your permission.

>Bristol Science Film Festival cannot accept responsibility for anything submitted that infringes copyright or intellectual property rights.

ENTRY FEES

>Entry fees are used for Festival administration and to fund the Festival’s prizes.

>Entry fees are set at £5 per submission for the 2022 short film competition.

>Entry fees are non-refundable.

>If unable to pay fees via FilmFreeway, email us at bristolsciencefilmfestival@gmail.com for alternatives.

SHORTLISTING PROCESS

>Each submission will be viewed by a minimum of two volunteers, who will flag films to be watched by the Film Festival Directors. The Directors will make the final decisions on the official selection.

>Shortlisting decisions can only be communicated to the film submitter. Please ensure that the submitter’s contact information is up-to-date and checked regularly (including junk mail).

>Bristol Science Film Festival may need to alter deadlines, notification and screening dates and reserves the right to do so.

>If your film is disqualified or not selected, we are unfortunately unable to guarantee individual feedback.

PUBLICITY

>Stills and clips of selected films will be used for Bristol Science Film Festival publicity. Please do include stills of your films with your FilmFreeway submission, as well as your social media handles for ease of publicity.

>Bristol Science Film Festival reserves the right to edit any information provided in your submission for publicity to promote the Festival.

>Bristol Science Film Festival reserves the right to include excerpts of your film in screenings or publicity to promote the Festival.

COMPETITION WINNERS

>A panel of external judges will watch the full shortlist for the category they are assigned to and score films. The panel’s scores will be averaged by the Film Festival Directors to determine the winners and runner-up.

>In the event of a tie, the Film Festival Directors will make the final decision.

>Cash prizes will be sent to a nominated bank or PayPal account within three months of the winners announcement.

SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

>By submitting your film through FilmFreeway you are agreeing to the terms above.

>Film entry is binding and implies acceptance of these rules and terms.

>Where there is disagreement over the interpretation of the terms, Bristol Science Film Festival’s interpretation will always take precedence.

>Failure to comply with the above may mean that your submission is disqualified.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Evan Pitt-Payne

    Fantastic staff running this event. Their dedication really shows and it was a fantastic festival to be a part of.

    November 2022
  • Brittany Beheshti

    Such a great festival with a dedicated and specific community.

    July 2021
  • Great festival! Loved the educational approach, great organization and disposition. Very glad to have been part of it!

    July 2021
  • Brett Harvey

    Brilliantly run festival, all online (due to pandemic) but fantastically organised none the less.

    July 2021
  • Shaheen Sheriff

    Very friendly people and well-organized festival. Cool lineup of films, and did a great job making the festival online due to Corona. Glad to have been a part of this!

    July 2020