Submissions will open from the 6 January 2025.

Running from 14 to 20 August 2025, the latest edition of EIFF will honour 70+ years of festival history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in its re-energised format that is rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.

We strongly encourage you to read our EIFF 2025 Submissions Rules & Regulations (below) for information on how to submit and our eligibility criteria. Please also see our EIFF 2025 Submissions FAQs: https://www.edfilmfest.org/eiff-2025-submissions-faqs/

If you have any questions that are not answered in these documents, please email our Submissions team at submissions@edfilmfest.org

Awards & Prizes

THE SEAN CONNERY PRIZE FOR FEATURE FILMMAKING EXCELLENCE

The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence will create a powerful platform to showcase today’s most talented and original filmmakers by linking their success to the legacy of Scotland’s most famous global star.

The award, which carries a cash prize of £50,000, is open to features of any genre that will have their World Premiere at EIFF in August 2025. The award will be voted for by cinema-goers attending public screenings during EIFF.

Eligible films are selected at the discretion of the Festival Director.

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THE THELMA SCHOONMAKER PRIZE FOR SHORT FILMMAKING EXCELLENCE

The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence will celebrate excellence in short filmmaking.

The award, which carries a cash prize of £15,000, is open to short films of any genre that will have their World Premiere at EIFF in August 2025. EIFF classifies a short film as 30 minutes or under. The award will be voted for by cinema-goers attending public screenings during EIFF.

Eligible films are selected at the discretion of the Festival Director.

Rules & Terms

• EIFF considers:
- Short Films (30 minutes or less).
- Feature Films (31 minutes or more)

• UK Premiere status is required for all feature and short submissions.

• All submitted films should be no more than 12 months old by August 2025, i.e. Films must not have received any kind of public screening, online or in-person, earlier than 15 August 2024.

• We are unable to accept films that have previously been broadcast or otherwise made publicly available (including online) within the UK.

• Films that are available to purchase are not eligible. This includes DVD/Blu-ray/online digital download formats.

• Promotional films are not eligible (e.g. films promoting tourism, charitable appeals, etc.)

EIFF is particularly interested in World, International or European premieres, and first or second features.

*Please note – your submission fee is non-refundable. If your film does not match the criteria listed above and you still submit your film, we will not consider your film and will not refund your fee.*

The final selection of all films presented at the Festival and their placement in the EIFF programme is at the discretion of the Festival Director.

The full EIFF 2025 Submissions Rules & Regulations can be found here: https://www.edfilmfest.org/eiff-2025-submissions-rules-regulations/
1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jonny Eveson

    The best film festival we've been to! So honoured to have Meteorlight screen alongside some amazing animated short films. The events put on for networking were amazing – we loved the walk up to Arthur's Seat, and there were so many other opportunities for drinks and meals. It was a busy but wonderful few days, and we plan to come back next year whether we have a film in the festival or not. Thank you for everything – highly recommended!

    July 2019
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