Durham Film Festival

Welcome to Durham Film Festival 2026!

We are a short film festival committed to championing student filmmaking. Created by Durham University students and supported by the British Film Institute, the festival aims to create a hub for young filmmakers to connect and gain recognition.

We are reaching out to invite emerging and gifted student filmmakers to participate in one of the largest entirely student-run film festivals in the UK. No matter where in the world you are from, DFF presents an incredible opportunity for you to showcase your work! Your film, if selected, will be screened at a black-tie event that closes off a week-long dynamic events programme, all of which will take place in the historic, medieval city of Durham, England.

Last year, we were thrilled to feature outstanding submissions from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This year, we aim to elevate the festival’s international presence as well as emphasising our North-East heritage—with your work at the forefront.

Why Submit?

• Global Exposure: Screen your film alongside student filmmakers worldwide and gain exposure to a diverse audience of peers, industry professionals, and enthusiasts.

• Expert Judging Panel: A distinguished panel, including judges from the BFI (British Film Institute), will evaluate your work, providing valuable feedback and recognition.

• Awards Available: Your film will be eligible to win awards such as Best Picture and People’s Choice, among others. Judges will be evaluating films on their cinematography, editing, acting and screenwriting.

• Expanded Categories: With broad categories like ‘Narrative’, ‘Documentary’ and ‘Experimental’, we hope to open doors for diverse storytelling.

• Networking & Travel Opportunities: Connect with like-minded filmmakers, industry leaders, and festival attendees in the historic city of Durham.

Categories:

• ‘Narrative’ - majority fictional, dramatizing storytelling, coherent/cohesive structure;

• ‘Documentary’ - non-fiction, factual storytelling, respectful to all subject/subjects involved;

• ‘Experimental’ - heightened, non-reality, prioritising meaning through experience rather than narrative coherence.

There are 2 options for submission:

* Student Filmmaker (£7 entry fee) - a category for student film-makers anywhere. Submissions must be sent from your university/educational institution email. Please ensure you set up your FilmFreeway account with your university/educational institution email address.

* North East Student Filmmaker and Developing Country student filmmaker (£5 entry fee) - a category for student filmmakers based in the North East of England and Developing Countries as defined by the OECD. Submissions must be sent from your university/educational institution email. Please ensure you set up your FilmFreeway account with your university/educational institution email address.