EFN Short Film Festival (Emerging Filmmakers Night) is a BIFA qualifying international festival that showcases, educates and promotes emerging filmmakers.

Through our annual edition in September and special events throughout the year, we showcase the work of emerging filmmakers from all socio-economic backgrounds and age groups to the industry and give them the tools to navigate it intelligently and with confidence.

Every September, in our annual Awards Night, the directors are given the opportunity to present their films, get feedback from a panel of industry experts, interact live with our audience, and win awards and industry-related prizes.

With 1.8K of annual rewards from our sponsors, we pride ourselves to be one of the most affordable festivals in the world for the rewards and the exposure we offer.

EFN Short Film Festival consists of:

> EFN Awards Night:

- An annual event at The Garden Cinema with films in competition.
- Two awards: CRITICS’ CHOICE and AUDIENCE FAVOURITE.
- A panel of highly accredited critics (Leeds Int. Film Festival, BBC, TIFF)
- Audience voting on the night.
- Live Q&As with the filmmakers.
- A networking event in the end.

> Official Selections Screenings:
- Officially selected films, curated in thematic strands.

> Affordable, skill-sharpening workshops in Screenwriting, Festival Strategy, Casting and Funding.

> Specially curated events with screenings and panel discussions.

SEPTEMBER 2023 SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!

*** We accept films of any genre and type: COMEDY, DRAMA, HORROR, ANIMATION, DOCUMENTARY, all are welcome***

*EFN welcomes work by new and emerging talent who are in an early stage of their career irrespective of age. We consider all filmmakers (students, recent graduates and seasoned short filmmakers) provided they haven't yet released a feature film or long form work at the time of submission*

*We are particularly excited to receive submissions from filmmakers that have considered their accessibility assets in their initial strategy. Our team is happy to assist filmmakers creating their own accessibility assets in an affordable and un-intimidating way*

*Submission discounts available to Gold Members and Students.

*Special 20% discount for those who have submitted before.

Email us at info@efnfestival.org to get your promo code.

Full details can be found in Categories and Fees.

***Critics’ Choice***

This award will be given to the film that our panel of business insiders, programmers and curators feel showcases outstanding talent.

The winning film gets:
• Screening before a commercially distributed film at The Garden Cinema.
• Feedback by the critics LIVE on the night.
• Final Draft is proud to support the EFN Film Festival and provide the winner with a copy of Final Draft 11! With Final Draft 11, you can brainstorm, visualise, report, tag, collaborate and customise your writing environment like never before.
•. Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
•. Membership to FilmFreeway for one year, valued at $99.00.
•. Membership to Backstage for one year to help you find work in the Film Industry.
•. Membership to The Mandy Network for one year.
• An annual membership with Shooting People
• An exclusive video interview with myDylarama (official partner of Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival). The interview will be published online on MyDylarama.org.uk & on our EFN YouTube Channel.
• Video chat with the winning director on Film Fest Report's Filmmaker's Corner published on their IGTV channel.

***Audience Favourite***

We've always been very proud of our audience. The multi-discipline, film-loving bunch have always been engaged by and curious about the shorts we screen and the stories behind them. With this in mind, we're offering the audience a chance to reward the film they best connected with. Make no mistake though, our audience will be just as discerning as our panel of experts!

The winning film gets:
• Screening before a commercially distributed film at The Garden Cinema.
•. Membership to FilmFreeway for one year, valued at $99.00.
•. Membership to Backstage for one year to help you find work in the Film Industry.
•. Membership to The Mandy Network for one year.
• An annual membership with Shooting People.
• An exclusive video interview with myDylarama (official partner of Clermont Ferrand International Short Film Festival). The interview will be published online on MyDylarama.org.uk & on our EFN YouTube Channel.
• Video chat with the winning director on Film Fest Report's Filmmaker's Corner published on their IGTV channel.

All films must be no longer than 20 minutes and not older than 3 years.
Students using the Student discount rate must upload a copy of their student ID to their 'Files & Attachments' section located on their Project File page.

1 entry category per submission.
1 promo code per submission.

EFN welcomes work by new and emerging talent who are in an early stage of their career irrespective of age. We consider all filmmakers, (students, recent graduates and seasoned short filmmakers), as long as they haven't yet released a feature film or long form work at the time of submission.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Will Webb

    We were excited to be accepted for EFN and delighted by the quality of the festival. Films were of a very high standard, excellently projected, with a warm atmosphere and insightful industry events!

    October 2023
  • Absolutely incredible festival! Speedy communication throughout the process and a real festival vibe once we arrived at the stunning cinema that hosted us (The Garden Cinema). Tons of filmmaking talent in attendance - it was great to be selected among other high quality films. Top it all off with tons of networking and safe to say I'll be back next year.

    Davy
    Director of 'You Fit The Description'

    October 2023
  • EFN Was a great weekend festival at one of my favorite cinemas (The Garden Cinema). Such a consistently high standard of programming, and great to have filmmaker Q&As after each screening. Would definitely attend again if I'm lucky enough to get in again, thanks EFN!

    October 2023
  • Zoe Hunter Gordon

    EFN is an absolute gem of a festival. Fantastic curation, wonderful vibes, and brilliant brilliant audiences who really care about short films. I need to shout out to Erifili - who imho really is one of the best people in short film exhibition right now: she really cares about artists and audiences in equal measure and her care and consideration shines through everything she does. EFN also are the real deal when it comes to accessibility & supporting disabled talent. So many people talk the talk on that stuff, these guys walk the walk too. The best. <3 you EFN

    October 2023
  • Joseph Daly

    Great curation and a really lovely team!

    March 2023