Accepting short films, music videos, animations and documentaries in any genre.

THE FESTIVAL

Exit 6 Film Festival is an all-day celebration of short films taking place at multiple venues in the heart of Basingstoke, UK, including Vue Cinema and The Anvil.

As filmmakers ourselves, we know how rewarding it can be to screen your work to people outside your regular circle of friends and colleagues, and also have the opportunity to give that audience an insight into the processes that brought it to life. That's why we invite a representative of each selected film to take part in a short Q&A right after the film has screened. However, as much as our audience would love to hear from you first-hand, attendance to the festival is not a condition of selection.

There will also be guest industry speakers giving talks throughout the day on different aspects of film-making, covering a range of topics from pre-production through to post-production and beyond.

We keep submission and ticket fees as low as possible because we understand raising the money to make your film is hard enough - and we want you to enjoy your achievement with us!

RECOGNITION & REWARD

The Exit 6 judging team will select the films for the festival programme, including the 'Judges 6' - the 6 films shortlisted for our Best Film award, the winner of which will be selected by this year’s guest judge and Exit 6 patron, Pacific Rim and Torchwood star Burn Gorman.

There will also be an Audience Choice award for which all of the films in the festival programme can be voted for by ballot on the day.

The winner of the Best Film award will be announced at the Judges 6 screening whilst the Audience Choice Award will be announced at the Afterparty.

AFTERPARTY

After a day and evening of watching some wonderful work (or sweating over what audiences may have thought of yours) it’s time to let your hair down and enjoy the rest of the evening with drinks and music. 

All attendees will be invited to the Aftershow Party to celebrate a fantastic day with friends old and new.

Awards & Prizes

Best Film
Audience Choice

2018 Best Film winning director Christopher Haydon (In Wonderland):

"We had such a great time at Exit 6. It was thrilling to see our film in such a strong line up, and winning the Best Film award judged by Burn Gorman was a huge vote of confidence in our work."

2017 Best Film winning director Liam Harris (Perched):

"Exit 6 was a really wonderful day for us. We played alongside some incredibly strong short films from all genres and backgrounds in some lovely venues around our local town. There was a great vibe about the festival coming from both the Exit 6 team and also the attendees, everyone was excited about the talent that was on show and it was a real privilege to be a part. We were extremely fortunate to come away with the 'Best Film' award which was truly humbling, especially as we were screening alongside some extremely professional filmmakers and talented visual artists, all of which you will certainly be hearing from again in the future! Exit 6 gave us the platform to communicate with local filmmakers and producers with whom we hope to collaborate with on future projects. It's a festival not to be missed!"

Rules & Terms

Completion Date
* Each Film must have been completed on or after 1st October 2018.

Running Time
* The maximum running time including credits is 15 minutes.

Language
*If the film is not in English, subtitles in English must be embedded on-screen. If this is not provided at time of submission, we will disqualify the entry.

Copyright
* By entering the EXIT 6 FILM FESTIVAL you are confirming you are the owner of the submitted project and hold copyright to all material used in the film.

Genre
* We accept films of any genre.

Promotional
* You agree to give the EXIT 6 FILM FESTIVAL permission to link/display your project's FB/Twitter page/Poster/Stills on all of the EXIT 6 FILM FESTIVAL's various social media outlets.

Submission
* Submissions will be accepted via FilmFreeway only. Entry Fees are non-refundable.

Entry
* We do not limit the number of films you can enter.

Premiere Status
* We do not require Premiere status, but please let us know if we are the first to show your film. Films available online are admissible.

Country of Origin
* Exit 6 is an International Festival, we will accept films from anywhere in the world.

Media
* We only accept digital submissions, do not send us any DVDs or Blu-Rays.

You
* Filmmakers of any age, experience, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation are welcome to submit.

FESTIVAL RULES

* All entries will be watched by at least three members of the Exit 6 judging panel. The panel will select the final festival programme and also the top 6 films (Judges 6), from which the Best Film will be chosen by our independent guest judge(s).

* The Audience Choice Award will be voted for throughout the day and the winner announced at the Afterparty.

* If your film is selected for the programme, a representative of the film will be invited to take part in a Q&A on stage immediately after your film has screened.

*Selected films will be sent official selection laurels. Judges 6 films will receive special laurels.
43 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Adam Smith

    Love this festival. The whole team are so welcoming. The range of films is superb. They do a short Q&A after every film which is really insightful and breaks up the monotony of long short film blocks that other festivals suffer from. Importantly - they attract big audiences and not just filmmakers.

    I look forward to playing here again in the future and watching the festival grow from strength to strength.

    - Ben S. Hyland

    October 2019
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  • Roger Cook

    Exit 6 has been one of the highlights of our festival tour with CAR PARK LOVE NOTE.  From the moment we arrived the care put into the festival for audience members and attending filmmakers was exceptional, and the entire town seemed to be taking park in the event.

    The projection of our film was fantastic and we were given an opportunity to take part in a Q&A that wasn't a token gesture but done genuinely because the festival organizers care about the craft of filmmaking and wanting to give filmmakers a platform to talk about their work.

    Additionally the festival organizers went above and beyond to set up networking and social events to make the audience and filmmakers be a valued part of the day.

    Even if I don't have a film showing at Exit 6 next year I would certainly attend as an audience member.  

    October 2019
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  • Norman Bertolino

    I wish I could have attendant this festival. Exit 6 did such a great job of communicating with the filmmakers. The festival looked like so much fun, I really wish I could have gotten one of those shirts!! I highly recommend submitting to Exit 6 next year because I most certainly am.

    October 2019
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  • Alex Handschuh

    Brilliant festival run by a really lovely and helpful team! Hope to return one day.

    October 2019
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  • Abigail Parmenter

    A Wonderful festival that seems to bring all of Basingstoke out and about. Sold out and a truly great day, filled with interesting talks and great opportunities to meet other film folk. Its great that they have the two screens running simultaneously so that everyone who gets selected has their work screened. The team are lovely and accommodating, keeping you up to date before the event. Would highly recommend, great value and experience. Thank you so much Exit 6 for having my debut short in you line up

    October 2019
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