Daydream Cinema creates and supports accessible opportunities for neurodivergent and disabled people to enjoy films in their communities and in cinema venues.

Daydream Cinema screens short films, with a focus on animation featuring little or no dialogue (spoken words) though live action is welcome too.

Our short film events take place around Halloween, so we’re interested in live action and animated films with a spooky or Autumnal theme – whether aimed at adults or younger audiences, with or without dialogue.

For 2026, we're interested in seeing work that are "Lynchian", or shorts inspired by the themes, imagery and sounds of David Lynch's films/television/artwork. Films submitted in this category before December 7th 2025 might also be screened at our Twin Peaks event on 11th December at Newcastle City Library.

Submit your film now to be considered for our event on Tuesday 27th October 2026 at Gosforth Civic Theatre.

We’re committed to screening films made by teams featuring at least one key team member – such as director, writer, actor, animator, cinematographer, or editor – who identifies as neurodivergent* or as having a neurological difference or disability.

However, we are currently accepting animations made by people who do not identify as neurodivergent. We welcome submissions by filmmakers from marginalised groups.

The films can be:
- about anything and be any genre.
- suitable for children and family audiences or for adult audiences.
- no longer than 15 minutes

We are also looking for any short films, with or without dialogue, which have a theme of neurodiversity. This means that the subject or the storyline is about neurodiversity, neurological difference or disability. The films must have been created by a neurodivergent filmmaker.

*Neurodivergent is self-identified and not a medical diagnosis, but can mean someone who identifies with one or more of the following: autism, ADHD, a learning disability, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, downs syndrome, Tourette's, cerebral palsy, brain injury or a mental health condition. It can also include something not mentioned in this list where a person identifies as neurodivergent.

For more information about what we mean by neurodiversity please see our page about the Social Model of disability and Neurodiversity here: https://daydreamcinema.co.uk/social-model/

Submissions are open to short films made anywhere in the world and of all genres and budgets.

There are small charges for some deadlines and categories. If this is a barrier to for your film you can email us at contactdaydreamcinema@gmail.com for a waiver code for entry to this category.

About the Daydream Cinema Screening Day:

Screenings will be in a Relaxed Cinema format, which includes:

- reduced noise levels
- low lighting
- space to move around or make a bit of noise if needed.
- The screenings are stim and tic-friendly.
- Tickets will be on a Pay As You Can basis, to allow anyone to be able to attend regardless of income.

The screenings will be in-person in Newcastle Upon Tyne, as well as online for a limited time only.

If unsuccessful for this event due to limited time slots, we may also wish to include your film in future programmes. We will contact you directly to ask permission to screen your film for any events.

We are really looking forward to seeing your films!

Awards & Prizes

Selected films will be screened during the event and be eligible for an audience choice award in their category:

Animation
Live action

Rules & Terms

RULES FOR SUBMISSION

Daydream Cinema accepts short film submissions that are no longer than 15 minutes.

We will show a minimum of 50% of films from neurodivergent filmmakers. At least one key member of the team will consider themselves neurodivergent - either in front of or behind the camera.

Non-neurodivergent filmmakers who wish to submit films with no dialogue are welcome to do so.

You will be asked for the name of your college or university if submitting a student project.

Please read these rules carefully before submitting your film. By submitting, you agree to these rules.

GENERAL RULES

Submissions are open to short films made anywhere in the world and of all genres and budgets, providing they comply with these rules.

- A key member of the team must class themselves as neurodivergent (lead actor, supporting actor, writer, director, producer, cinematographer, editor) to be considered priority for screening.

- Non-neurodivergent filmmakers are welcome to submit short films which have no dialogue.

- Only completed films will be considered.

- Films must not exceed 15 minutes in length, including credits.
- All non-English language films must have English subtitles.

You may enter more than one film, but must enter each film separately and there is no discount for multiple submissions.

You must be authorised to submit the film for consideration, including the relevant permission(s) from a distributor or sales agent representing the film. You must have obtained the necessary permissions for the inclusion of copyrighted music and/or images within your film. By making a submission, you confirm you possess all rights necessary for the film to be screened. Daydream Cinema, its staff and partners will not be held responsible for the unauthorised inclusion of any copyrighted materials contained within the film.

All submitted film material must not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead.

We will accept submissions of films that have screened elsewhere.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

We only accept submissions via filmfreeway.com. You are able to upload your film as a digital file via a secure external link through FilmFreeway once your registration details are complete.

Illegible or incomplete entry forms will not be accepted, and the submission fee will not be refunded.

If your film is successful, we will use high resolution stills from your film for promotional purposes.

PREVIEW MATERIALS AND ONLINE SCREENERS

It is your responsibility to ensure there is a working online screener submitted.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the film is in full working order and submitted in the correct format. There are no refunds for entries with incorrectly formatted preview materials or non-working online screeners.

IMPORTANT DATES AND SUBMISSION FEES

There is a small submission fee to submit your film. Payment has to be made using filmfreeway.com. Payment is in US dollars and therefore fees and an exchange rate will apply for non-US submissions. You can use Paypal to avoid fees.

Submission fees are non-negotiable and not transferable.

The deadline for submissions is 8th September 2026

The notification date is 29th September 2026.

The event date is 27th October 2026.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

Daydream Cinema may apply to the relevant licensing authority to classify a film that is submitted unclassified, as appropriate. If asked to provide additional information to assist with the classification process you are required to respond within the timescales given.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION

Notice of acceptance and rejection will be sent to the email address provided on the entry form.

In the event we receive a high volume of high calibre films, Daydream Cinema may ask to screen your film at a future event. This request will be sent to the email address provided.

If successful, you will be provided with an acceptance pack, which you will be required to complete and return together with any marketing materials Daydream Cinema requests. Please provide a digital file of your film in the size range we request.

All communications will be by e-mail. It is your responsibility to ensure the contact email address in your submission is accurate and you keep us informed of any changes. It is your responsibility to check your e-mails, including junk and spam folders, for communication from Daydream Cinema.

FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

If successful you will be notified of the screenings of your film as part of your acceptance pack and you are entitled to attend the screenings free of charge. Daydream Cinema reserves the right to show each film at a time, date and venue of their choosing.

No rental or other fees will be paid for the screening of your film.

No travel, accommodation or other expenses will be paid should you wish to attend the event.

SUBMISSION AGREEMENT

When paying for your submission, you will be asked if you have read and agreed with Daydream Cinema's Rules. By making your submission you agree to these rules. In the event of a disagreement on the interpretation of the rules, Daydream Cinema's interpretation will take precedence.

These rules shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with English law and shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

By submitting your film, you agree to grant Daydream Cinema non-exclusive rights to utilise your publicity materials related to your film for the purposes of promoting Daydream Cinema.

Failure to comply with these rules will result in your film being disqualified.

Daydream Cinema reserves the right to remove a film from the events program for any reason and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind as a result.

These rules are subject to change without prior notice.

CONTACT

For all enquiries please contact Daydream Cinema:

E-mail: contactdaydreamcinema@gmail.com