The Fakenham Film Festival, now entering it's 3rd year, celebrates creativity, storytelling, and imagination through short film, with a special focus on supporting filmmakers from Norfolk and beyond!

Open to filmmakers of all ages and experience levels, the festival welcomes live-action and animated films across all genres. From comedy and drama to documentary, experimental, and sci-fi. Alongside our competitive short film categories, the festival proudly showcases youth-made films, encouraging young people to explore filmmaking and share their voices on the big screen.

Selected films will be screened as part of the festival programme, with opportunities for filmmakers to attend screenings, take part in Q&A sessions, and engage with audiences and fellow creatives. International entries are also welcomed through the Beyond Norfolk Award, celebrating films from outside the region that reflect originality and strong storytelling.

Whether you are an emerging filmmaker, a student, or an experienced creative, the Fakenham Film Festival offers a supportive and inclusive platform to showcase your work, connect with others, and celebrate the power of film.

Awards & Prizes

Best Film: Judges' decision and audience award
Best Film (Under 16s - schools and colleges): Judges' decision
Theme Award (Made in Norfolk): Judges' decision
Beyond Norfolk Award (International Entries)
Open Screening Category (screened as part of the festival)

Rules & Terms

Films must have a Norfolk connection.
This could be:
• Filming location
• Norfolk used as part of Pre or post-production
• Crew living in or originally from Norfolk
• A Norfolk theme as part of the story.

• Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
• Films must meet the runtime requirements of the category entered.
• Films may be in any genre and any format, including live-action and animation.
• Films must be the original work of the submitting filmmaker(s).
• Submissions must not infringe on any copyright, including music, images, or footage.
• Films may be in any language. Non-English language films must include English subtitles.

• The festival reserves the right to screen an excerpt or trailer from selected films for promotional purposes.

• By submitting, filmmakers confirm they have obtained all necessary permissions to exhibit their film publicly.

• Multiple submissions are permitted, but each film must be submitted separately.

• Films selected for screening may be required to provide a high-quality screening file.

• The festival’s decisions are final. We will always endeavour to share feedback where requested.

1 Review
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Simon Edmondson

    An enjoyable, popular and well run Festival, helpful staff with good communications. Thank you for selecting my work. It was a pleasure all around.

    October 2025
    Helpful