1) Submission Eligibility:
Fiction and documentary feature films must not have been released in the UK in any format, including online, or shown on UK television prior to their screening in the Festival.
Shorts should ideally be a UK premiere too, however, this is not required but they should not be publicly available online in the UK prior to their screening in the Festival.
Please note: exceptions can be made for films that are of particularly high quality and/or films that premiered at the London Film Festival and Edinburgh International Film Festival only at the discretion of Festival staff.
Only films completed within the 18 months prior to the start of the festival are eligible for submission.
All foreign language films must be subtitled in English (the costs of which are to be covered by the applicant).
While it is not a requirement, and this will not affect your chances of being selected, we encourage filmmakers where possible to include a supporting Closed Caption file with your submission. More info on how to upload this on FilmFreeway's site.
Previously submitted work will not be considered unless it has been substantially altered.
All rights, permissions, and clearances must be obtained prior to submission and applicants must ensure that they have the right to submit the work with regard to third parties connected with the production of the film in question.
By entering your work, you agree to this and the responsibilities involved. The Cambridge Film Trust, the registered charity that runs the Cambridge Film Festival, assumes no responsibility for violation of copyright law, and submission fees will not be refunded.
2) Fees and waivers:
The Cambridge Film Festival is operated by the Cambridge Film Trust, registered charity no. 1120059 and owing to the large number of submissions we receive we charge a submission fee to cover administration costs.
The Cambridge Film Trust in partnership with BFI are committed to supporting local filmmakers and therefore submission fees will be waived for filmmakers (directors and producers) who are based in Cambridgeshire. Please email proof of address (such as a scan/pdf of a current utility bill) with the "FILM TITLE - WAIVER" as subject to submissions@cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk.
Directors and producers who have previously screened films at the Festival are also entitled to a waiver. Please email with the "FILM TITLE (year screened) - WAIVER" as subject to submissions@cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk.
We want to encourage submissions from directors from Black and Minoritised ethnic backgrounds and therefore we can offer a 25% discount. Please email with the "FILM TITLE (year screened) - DISCOUNT" as subject to submissions@cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk.
Fees will not be waived under any other circumstances so please do not contact us to request that we make an exception, as we will not be able to do so.
Please note that submission fees will not be refunded.
3) Submission:
All films must be submitted via a secure online screener.
We would encourage filmmakers to include their pronouns in their bio or alongside their submission. E.G. Name: Elle Haywood (She/Her)
The festival reserves the right to change deadlines and to close submissions earlier than stated at our discretion.
4) Selection:
Selection will be carried out by the Cambridge Film Festival team. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the selection process and the decision of the Festival is final. Unfortunately, due to the volume of entries, we do not offer individual feedback or enter into any discussion about your work.
All successful submissions will be notified by email by 16th September 2022. Please, therefore, make sure that we can reach you in the months of August and September so that we can confirm your film's inclusion in the Festival programme.
All successful submissions will be listed on our website when the full programme is announced.
Please do not send any press materials with your submission. Should your film be accepted we will request that you send us digital images and other press/publicity materials including press kits.
5) Festival Screenings and Scheduling:
The 41st edition of CFF will be in venue.
Submission to CFF is with the understanding that selection may be for any and all exhibition formats.
All screenings during the Festival period will take place at the discretion of the Festival. We reserve the right to make changes to the advertised schedule at any time for any reason and will not accept liability for any costs incurred as a result of such changes.
You must not withdraw your film from the Cambridge Film Festival programme after its selection/participation has been confirmed and it must not be screened elsewhere before its presentation in the Festival without our prior agreement.
For in cinema presentation the film must be available to screen as a DCP. No other formats will be accepted. DCPs of selected films must be received by the Festival at least 1 month before the start of the Festival.
CFF will also require a digital version (1920 x 1080p h.264 @ 10Mbps mp4 or mov, with closed captions .SRT or .VTT files) for online presentation.
The Festival is not able to cover the costs of any format transfers or subtitling.
The Cambridge Film Trust will accept responsibility for technical damage to prints of selected titles while they are in the possession of the Festival and will reimburse the value of the print stock (or part thereof) only. Please ensure that you have sufficient insurance to cover your work while in transit to and from the Festival.
