BRINGING FILMMAKERS AND FANS TOGETHER SINCE 1990

20-22 OCTOBER 2023

This unique international celebration of horror, science fiction and fantasy cinema has attracted some of the biggest names in the industry since 1990.

In 2022, we received more than 1,000 submissions from around the world https://fantastic-films.uk/film-competition/

A friendly, intimate festival with a unique atmosphere and impeccable pedigree, we've long been considered a hidden gem on the festival circuit. FFF Manchester relaunched in 2022 with a new look and a new programme.

Our 2023 guests will be announced through the course of next year. The 2022 guest line-up included Jeremy Dyson, David McGillivray, Adam Nevill, Judy Matheson, Dani Thompson, Dean Kilbey, and Frazer Diamond. Other genre writers attending included Ramsey Campbell, Stephen Laws, Stephen Gallagher, Mark Morris and Darrell Buxton.

Previous guests include Ray Harryhausen, John Landis, Roger Corman, Lamberto Bava, Jorge Grau, Brian Clemens, Gerry Anderson, Jimmy Sangster, Paul Naschy, Pete Walker, Val Guest, Roy Ward Baker, Tony Tenser, Bert I. Gordon, Britt Ekland, Caroline Munro, Ingrid Pitt, Barbara Shelley, Ken Foree, Gunnar Hansen, Burt Kwouk, and many more.

Legendary British director Norman J. Warren was a fan of the festival and attended most years, as both guest and regular attendee, and was always keen to meet and encourage fledgling filmmakers. Our best-in-festival award has been named in Norman's memory.

The festival was founded by Tony Edwards, Gil Lane-Young, Harry Nadler and Dave Trengrove, and grew out of the Delta Film Group, a filmmaking society in Manchester in the 1960s.

https://fantastic-films.uk/

Festival tickets are available via Eventbrite

Awards & Prizes

The DELTA Awards incorporating THE NORMAN J WARREN TROPHY

We draw on a rich heritage: Delta Group filmmaking in Manchester, a forerunner of this festival, dates from the 1960s. We relaunched the competition at our 2022 festival and attracted submissions from genre filmmakers around the world.

Important note: submissions will be automatically disqualified if they are 1. Longer than 20 minutes in total running time, and 2. Made/released before 31st December 2021 (i.e. we are only receiving films crerated in 2022 and 2023).

We are seeking short films in three categories: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy.

We will award a 'Delta' award to the best Science Fiction short film, the best Horror short film, and the best Fantasy short film.

The best film overall will be presented with the Norman J Warren Trophy.

Chair of Judges for 2023 is legendary screenwriter, journalist and producer David McGillivray, a lifelong friend of Norman. They first met in 1967 when Warren was editing his first feature, Her Private Hell. Subsequently David wrote two screenplays for Norman, Satan’s Slave (1976) and Terror (1978).

Please note: submissions will be permanently paused once we reach the maximum number permitted for 2023 of 600 submissions, and this will supersede any deadlines previously published or proposed by the festival.

Rules & Terms

FFF MANCHESTER SHORT FILM COMPETITION: the Delta Awards incorporating the Norman J Warren Trophy

Entry is via FilmFreeway.

Submissions will be automatically disqualified from the competition if they are 1. Longer than 20 minutes in total running time, and 2. Made/released before 31st December 2021 - we are only receiving films made in 2022 and 2023.

We are seeking films in three categories: Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy. You should enter your film into ONE of these categories only.

We will award the best Science Fiction short film, the best Horror short film, and the best Fantasy short film. The best film overall will be presented with the Norman J Warren Trophy aka "the Norman".

Submissions MUST be made through this site. Submissions must include an on-screen viewer for selection purposes.

Films must have a total running time of no longer than 20 minutes. Any entries exceeding 20 minutes will be immediately rejected.

Fees for submission in GBP are as follows:

Earlybird before 31 March 2023 - Standard £7.50 / Student £5.00
By main deadline 15 June 2023 - Standard £10.00 / Student 5.00
Late submissons 16 June-15 July 2023 - Standard £15 / Student £7.50

Films accepted are required to provide for screening .mov or MP4 digital files. Any delivery costs of screening media are borne by the submitter. Screening material will not be returned.

You can submit as many entries as you wish.

Submissions will be permanently paused once we reach the maximum number permitted for 2023 of 600 submissions, and this will supersede any deadlines previously published or proposed by the festival.

Press packs are not essential at this stage but can be sent as digital versions via email.

Selected films will be screened at the 2023 Festival of Fantastic Films and will be judged by a panel.

If selected, the screening copy should be with the festival organisers at least 2-3 weeks before the start of the festival.

N.B. any packages from outside Europe must bear the declaration “for temporary importation only and for cultural use at a film festival - of no commercial value”. Any documentation/proforma invoices for films from outside the EU must not state a value that exceeds £10 as this can attract importation taxes. Any film attracting freight charges/ importation taxes at our end will not be accepted, and will be returned at the sender’s own cost or may be retained by UK customs, where its retrieval will be the sender’s responsibility.

Selection procedure:
On receipt of a submission, the entrant will receive an email confirmation and reference number from FilmFreeway that should be quoted on all future correspondence. Selection notification to all applicants will be as early as possible but at the latest one month before the festival.

Applicants must confirm acceptance within seven days of receiving notification quoting their reference number and can supply any stills/images etc. to be used by the festival if not supplied previously. Screening material should be supplied at least 2-3 weeks prior to the festival, to allow time to check the technical quality.

FESTIVAL OF FANTASTIC FILMS MANCHESTER RESERVES THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO WITHDRAW, POSTPONE, CANCEL OR MAKE ANY ALTERATION TO (OR PART OF) THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OR FESTIVAL PROGRAMME WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION.

Postal address for 2023 festival short film competition enquiries: 100 Oaktree Road, Southampton UK-SO18 1PH. Tel: +44 07968 196418

ALL ENTRANTS/SUBMITTERS AGREE TO THESE RULES & TERMS