CINECITY charges a submission fee to cover the submissions viewing team’s time and administration. We regret that the panel cannot provide individual feedback on your submission. The judging panel’s decision is final and no refund of submission fees is possible.
We encourage submissions from filmmakers of all backgrounds. We invite low income, unwaged and global majority filmmakers to email us if they require a waiver code to support submission.
All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles.
CINECITY will prioritise films that have not screened before in the city or online.
All films submitted to CINECITY 2026 must have been completed since September 2025 and be in the final stages of completion at the time of submission; no substantive changes to the submitted film will be accepted before final screening material is collected.
By submitting your film, you agree not to withdraw your film from CINECITY after it has been selected by our selection team.
Submission also certifies that all film and music rights and clearances have been obtained in accordance with UK copyright laws.
CINECITY is committed to encouraging human-led creative filmmaking. Use of AI in all entries must be declared and supported by a written statement describing its use in the project as part of the Cover Letter to your submission.
In 2026 CINECITY is taking submissions in 3 separate categories. Please read the below additional Rules & Terms for the category that applies to your project.
NEW VOICES - UNDER-25s EMERGING TALENT
1. At least two out of three of the main creative team (director, writer, producer) are aged 25 or under before November 2026
2. The producer, director or writer lives, works or studies in Brighton & Hove, East or West Sussex AND/OR a significant part of the film’s production took place in Brighton & Hove, East or West Sussex
3. Films must be no longer than 15 minutes
CINECITY OPEN
1. At least one out of the three main creative team (director, writer, producer) lives, works or studies in Brighton & Hove, East or West Sussex AND/OR significant part of the film’s production took place in Brighton & Hove, East or West Sussex.
2. Films must be no longer than 30 minutes
FEATURES
1. Films must be longer than 60 minutes
