We are taking a break and will be back in 2021 !!!!!

The Chelmsford Film Festival returns in 2021 for its short film festival.

Chelmsford Film Festival is a 2-day celebration of film culture that showcase the best short films from around the world. It also features talks from industry professionals, special guest speaker, educational events, networking opportunities and an awards ceremony and closing party.

Based in the heart of Essex, Chelmsford City is known for its many festivals and events. However, the city is probably best known for being the birthplace of broadcast, with Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi inventing the wireless in the 1890’s and making the first entertainment broadcast in June 1920.

The Chelmsford Film Festival therefore shares its anniversary month with the first entertainment broadcast!

As filmmakers ourselves, the festivals main purpose is to promote filmmakers of all levels and backgrounds and will provide an opportunity to inspire a new generation of filmmakers.

Throughout the 2-day festival, guests will be able to enjoy the following events:

FRIDAY (Evening) - Opening Night
Live talks and Q&A’s with industry professionals, special guest interview and presentation of CFF’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema’ award, and the screening of 2019’s specially selected films.

SATURDAY (All-day) – Screenings & Networking
CFF2019’s officially selected film screenings - followed by Q&A’s with the filmmakers.
A chance for the festival organisers, filmmakers, judges and festival guests to meet and network.

SATURDAY (Evening) - Award Show and Closing Gala
Awards ceremony for the winners of CFF 2018, followed by the closing party.

In addition to the events taking place over the 2-day festival, CFF will be holding several events throughout the year in the lead up to CFF 2019, from special movie screenings to quiz nights and networking events. Be sure to check our website and Facebook page for updates.

So, come and join us in our unique city to celebrate the wonderful world of film! We look forward to seeing you there.

Awards & Prizes

All entries accepted to the Chelmsford Film Festival will receive Official Selection laurels, with more exciting prizes to be announced soon.

Award categories for this event will be:

- Best Short Film
- Best Mini Short
- Best Music Video
- Audience Choice Award
- Best Director
- Best Actress
- Best Actor
- Best Screenplay
- Best Score
- Best Cinematography

Rules & Terms

Chelmsford Film Festival is looking for independent short films from around the world and from any genre.

- 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. Chelmsford Film Festival Ltd assumes no responsibility for violation of copyright law.

- While we do not require premiere status for films to be eligible for the festival, special consideration will be given to films that are at least a UK Premiere.

FEES

- Individual fees will be not be waived under any circumstances so please do not contact us to request that we make an exception, as we will not able to do so.
- Please note that submission fees are non-refundable

SELECTION

Selection will be carried out by the Chelmsford Film Festival team. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the selection process and the decision of the Festival Directors is final.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of entries, we will be unable to offer individual feedback or enter into any discussion about your work.

All successful submissions will be notified by email or over the phone. Please therefore make sure that we can reach you in the months of April and May so that we can confirm your film's inclusion in the festival programme. We will also request that you send us press kits and that you arrange print transport during that period.

FESTIVAL SCREENING AND SCHEDULING

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.

No film may be withdrawn from the Chelmsford Film Festival programme after its selection/participation has been confirmed and may not be screened elsewhere before its presentation in the festival without our prior agreement.

The film must be available to screen in the following film and video formats (PAL and NTSC): DCP, DVD or BLU RAY, for ease of offsite screening, Blu-Ray is the preferred choice. All widescreen DVDs and Digibeta tapes must be formatted 16:9 FHA.

No formats other than those listed above will be accepted.

The festival is not able to cover the costs of any format transfers or subtitling. Prints of selected films must be received by the festival approx. 1 month before the start of the festival.

The Chelmsford Film Festival 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.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN CHELMSFORD FILM FESTIVAL

I have read and accept the terms and regulations of Chelmsford Film Festival. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise the Chelmsford Film Festival to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2017 festival.

I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the Chelmsford Film Festival and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold Chelmsford Film Festival harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By agreeing to these terms, I transfer to Chelmsford Film Festival the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2017 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2017 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify Chelmsford Film Festival, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jess O'Brien

    Loved being selected for this festival for a second time, they give you such a warm welcome and make you and your film feel really valued. I'd recommend any filmmaker to enter this festival.

    July 2019
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  • Howard Wimshurst

    Fantastic venue, and great hospitality. As a film maker, I was made to feel very welcome. I really appreciated the opportunity for QandA as it is a chance to talk with strangers who have just seen the film for the first time. The host was genuinely enthusiastic about every film being shown and it was clear that he had thought about them a lot. Thank you very much!

    June 2019
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  • Rachel Prendergast

    Absolutely loved this festival! The communication from the beginning was great and such nice guys to deal with. The event itself was brilliant and we met some wonderful people that we will definitely be keeping in touch with. So much support for every film, whether winners or not. I highly recommend submitting to Chelmsford, I believe in time this will become a very well recognised film festival.

    June 2019
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  • Vincent Lambe

    The Chelmsford Film Festival was such a brilliant festival to attend. Excellent communication and brilliantly organised with really amazing festival staff. The Everyman Cinema is an incredible venue for screenings with wonderful sound and picture quality! An excellent selection of films and fascinating Q&As with the filmmakers. The awards ceremony also takes place in a really cool setting with spectacularly beautiful awards. It was a huge honor to win the Audience Choice Award, Best Director, Best Score and Best Actor for 'Detainment'. Thank you so much to everyone involved for a really brilliant film festival and for making us feel so welcome.

    June 2019
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  • Robert Hackett

    Superb festival. Organisation, communication and cinema projection were equal to any 'A' list festival. I felt honoured to have our film screen alongside the other films. There's also the opportunity to meet the other filmmakers at the ceremony in the evening. Huge thank you to the CFF team.

    June 2019
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