Catalyst Film Festival Utopia, is open for submissions off short films (less than 15 minutes) under the theme of Utopia. If selected your work will be screened at The Potteries Museam & Art Gallery, the city centre museum with a 400 seated screening room.

Why Utopia?
Ideas of perfection, equality, and justice evolve with the time, place, and people producing these ideas. Utopia, or a better world, has to constantly be reworked and re-imagined - it is a conversation, not a blueprint.

A vision for a better world is evident in every complaint and every daydream, from jet-packs and flying cars, to curing cancer, to human rights advocacy. More than anything, Utopian imaginary are about our hopes, plans, and anxieties about the future.

Two awards will be selected. The winner from each category will be announced at the closing ceremony and notified online, along with prizes from our sponsors worth between $100-$200.

If your film has not been selected this time, but you are still interested in connecting with various audiences, please inform us in the application form, so your work can be presented in future screenings. The Movie Mavericks deliver Catalyst Film Festival in addition to running a year round community cinema programme. The organisation works with various communities, using non-conventional disused spaces as pop up cinema venues, such as a courtroom, alleyways, and once a Ukrainian Ski resort.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Running times – up too 15 minutes.
All films must come with a 'Guidance' to the organiser on the content of the film. The organisers reserve the right to change the certificate or reject the film based on content and age appropriateness, however all genres are accepted for review. Films do not require an BBFC cert.
All submissions must be sent digitally, via FilmFreeway,
The competition is open internationally, non-English speaking films must have English subtitles.
The organisers reserve the right to amend the end date of the submission at any time.

Competition finalists/winners will be notified within 30 days of the closing date.
By entering competitions, you agree to be contacted for promotional purposes.
No personal data will be shared with third parties unless stated otherwise.
The organisers reserve the right to amend or withdraw competitions at any time.
You agree to submit contributions which are your own original work. You must be the copyright holder. You must not violate, plagiarise, or infringe any copyright, trademark, trade secrets, privacy, and publicity, personal or proprietary rights.
If you submit a contribution, you agree to allow the organisers to use the material in your contribution in any way it may reasonably choose on a free-of-charge basis in any media throughout the world.
Any copyright in your contribution will remain with you and this permission is not exclusive, so you can continue to use the material you contribute in any way, including allowing others to use it.

Submission does not guarantee selection.

Selection guarantee’s free festival passes, however you will be asked to cover your own travel expenses.

Digital submissions only please,

If your film is selected, Catalyst Film Festival reserves the right to use its title and press materials in promotion of the festival in various media.

By submitting your film, you agree to allow your work, if it becomes a selected film, to be promoted by the festival, and screened during the festival in public theatres where admittance tickets may be sold. You affirm that you hold sufficient rights in your work to make this submission and grant this release. You also affirm the screen credits and billing on the film (and any other related materials you furnish) are accurate and reflect proper releases from those named. The Catalyst Film Festival will not be held liable for any mistakes that may occur in the display or reprinting of the screen credits. You are required to fill out the short application form with your submission/s.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kamil Olejnik

    Thank you for the selection of "I am sorry" :)
    Good communication. Good festival

    April 2019
  • Wonderful experience overall. Thank you team

    April 2019
  • Wanjiru Njendu

    Holly who runs the festival was great at communication. She replied very quick. Provided a lot of concise information. She gave feedback on how Boxed was received and shared the audience reactions. Boxed also won The Directors Choice Award as well for which the director, cast and crew are beyond thrilled for!

    April 2019
  • Robert Kilburn

    Our documentary "Broken Window" recently won an award at this fantastic up and coming festival! Great communication and very proffesional. Would reccomend!

    April 2019
  • Thank you so much,I hope you always good luck.
    Good festival with good people.

    April 2019