The Circus International Film Festival brings together filmmakers and circus artists. CIFF is dedicated to circus performers and filmmakers. Founded by a circus and film professional, our goal is to honor circus through the medium of film and video.

There are 5 categories for submission this year:
- Student
- Short Shorts - Under 5 Min.
- Shorts - Documentary
- Shorts - Non-Documentary
- Feature Length

Juried Awards presented in each category, cash prize
Audience Choice Awards presented in each category, cash or CIFF merchandise prize
Founder's Choice Award presented by the team behind the Circus International Film Festival

✓ All competing films must have been completed no earlier January 2021 to be eligible for submission.

✓Films considered X Rated will NOT be accepted.

✓Films must not have received a wide theatrical release.

✓Festival applicant MUST have rights to all images, music, etc.

✓ All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles (if in a different language).

✓ Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out the copyright on their own materials.

✓ We may promote clips from your film on social media.

✓ We retain the right to change the date of the online annual event under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms.

✓ We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.

✓ Any technical issues with the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), it will be automatically rejected, without a refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be found.

✓ We cannot provide refunds.

✓ If you have submitted your project in the previous year, please do not resubmit the same project to current edition.

✓ By submitting to us you agree to our terms and conditions and to receiving marketing newsletters and discounts about film festivals in the form of emails.

✓ We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Annika Hakala

    The festival was overall a positive experience and we’re very happy to have been part of it! Thank you for organazing again! It’s an important opportunity for the circus community.

    June 2024
  • Filip Jacobson

    Very nice festival with big focus. Unique possibility to watch circus movie around the world. Communication is good and friendly. Selection very interesting. Happy I could show my movies there.

    March 2023
  • Great to see a festival that joins up circus and film. It was great to see other people work and chat about each other films. looking forward to next year films.

    May 2022
  • Participating in this festival was super fun. The format gave a lot of opportunity to experience different people's work. I feel more connected to the art of circus film making. Would definitely suggest it for other producers of circus films! Thanks!

    April 2022