Cheltenham Film Festival (formerly Cheltenham International Film Festival – CIFF) celebrates its eighth year in 2026, presenting outstanding international cinema in one of the UK’s most historic festival towns. This year the film festival runs from 25 September to 4 October.

We welcome submissions - features and film shorts, narrative and documentary - from filmmakers around the world. All submissions are viewed by our programming team and selection panel.

Films selected for the festival allow filmmakers access to new audiences in the town which has been home to arts festivals through the decades and is home to many celebrities who live in the area.

CIFF has welcomed many celebrated names including Dame Judi Dench, Mike Leigh, Sir Stephen Frears, Ken Loach, Terry Gilliam, Steven Berkoff, Jan Komasa, Monica Dolan, Timothy Spall, Patricia Hodge, Pattie Boyd, Stephen Cookson, and the singer/actor Lulu, among them.

And we thank the actor, Simon Pegg, for his continued patronage of the film festival.

Among other filmmakers who have attended, we have been delighted to host emerging directors on the threshold of their first film and others who have made their mark and attracting attention - directors such as Carol Morley, Alice Lowe, Nora Fingscheidt, Tom Berkeley, and Marescotti Ruspoli.

We also now have an active CineYouth programme working with local institutions of education engaging young people in the culture of cinema and the art of filmmaking.

Awards & Prizes

In 2021 we launched our award for BEST FILM. It is open only to emerging filmmakers with their first or second feature film.

The BEST FILM is selected from a short list of six or seven films designated as ‘IN COMPETITION’. ‘IN COMPETITION’ films are selected by a panel from all the films to be screened during the 10 days of the film festival.

In 2023 we were delighted to have as Chair of the panel, Sara Putt, who is Chair of BAFTA. In 2024, the Chair was film festival director, Leslie Sheldon.

No award was presented in 2025.

Previous winners:
2024 - We Have Never Been Modern - Czech Republic (Matěj Chlupáček)
2023 - Riceboy Sleeps - Canada (Anthony Shim) & Exodus - Lebanon (Abbe Hassan)
2022 - Olga by Swiss director Elie Grappe
2021 - I Never Cry by Polish director, Piotr Domalewski

Rules & Terms

Film Submissions:

1. All films must be submitted uploaded directly to FilmFreeway.
2. The CIFF cannot accept films that are on DVD or Blu-ray
3. Each submission must be accompanied by a submission fee, paid in full

Eligibility of Film For Submission:

1. Feature film: Narrative – at least 69 minutes
2. Feature film: Documentary – at least 60 minutes

3. Short film: Narrative – not more than 17 minutes
4. Short film: Documentary – not more than 17 minutes

5. Animation films and experimental are also eligible for entry into the CIFF.

Note: Length of feature and shorts may be adjusted for any single particular film. The final decision rests with the organisers of the CIFF.

7. Films not in the English language should be subtitled in English
8. Film must have been completed after 25 May, 2025
9. Works-in-progress films are accepted as long as they are clearly marked as such or “rough cut”, with reference to missing elements ie VFX or colour correction.

Premiere Status:

1. The CIFF does not operate a premiere status and does not require a premiere in any category of film
2. Films are eligible and accepted into competition even if they have been screened at other festivals
3. But, entries may not have been screened theatrically or publicly in the area of South- West England prior to the CIFF

Festival Screening:

1. Films will be screened on DCP unless otherwise stated by the organisers.
2. The CIFF also requires Blu-ray as a back up to DCP.
3. On line films will be streamed on the Film Festival’s host page of YourScreen

Selection

A selection panel composed of professionals from film, the arts, media, local personalities and enthusiastic volunteers with a special interest in film are charged with viewing all film submissions and for compiling a list of films to invite to the Festival. Once the panel has made its final decision, invites will be sent to the successful filmmakers by 15 August 2023. Please ensure that we always have your latest contact details on file so that we may reach you. Due to the volume of entries, and with some exception, it is not possible to offer individual feedback.

Successful submissions will be listed on our website (www.cheltfilm.com) and social media platforms.

If your film is successful we shall require press/publicity materials, including an electronic press kit, and digital images.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Luke Bradford

    A great festival where I received a very warm welcome with our film TORN. I appreciated the invitation to participate in a Q&A and a big thank you to the festival organisers for pulling together a memorable event.

    September 2024
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  • Charlotte Couture

    We have been blown away by the support from CIFF. An incredible festival for celebrating and nurturing emerging filmmakers, with a stellar programme. Thank you and we look forward to seeing future editions of the festival.

    October 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Charlotte for your kind words. Your short film, Rose, was a moving portrait of a woman strong in her resolve to face life full on. The jury was delighted to select your short film as part of our programme On The Dark Side and audience feedback was very positive.

  • Lukas Steinmaier

    Thanks a lot for selecting my short film "Sunday Roast" to your 2022 festival! Although I could not attend in person the venue and overall communication with the organisers was great and I hope to be back in person this year!

    February 2023
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  • PAUL SURETY

    Excellent festival and team. Jacob went the extra mile to accommodate my needs

    June 2022
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  • Emma Morley

    Thank for selecting The Walled Garden, I’m thrilled the film was included in A Few Short Stories with such great filmmakers. A high quality festival, I’m honoured that my film was selected to be part of it.

    June 2022
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