NB:Important Notice. With the ongoing COVID situation we will be presenting the festival as a hybrid live/online festival and will default to an Online version if that is what we need to do at the time. By submitting you agree to this.

Welcome to the 2nd Hebden Bridge Film Festival, with the theme of “The Other”. With over 500 years of non-conformism in the Calder valley, the theme is fitting. We will be celebrating films by or about those who dare to be different, whether they exist in the margins, sit outside the mainstream or just plain don’t fit in.

We are now accepting submissions for for 2021 for feature length and short films, both drama and documentary. We particularly encourage submissions from women directors.

HBFF is partnering with the beautifully restored, state-of-the-art Hebden Bridge Picture House cinema and with the Hebden Bridge Town Hall as our Film Festival Hub where Filmmakers and Film lovers can come together and experience the wonderful community spirit our historic town is famous for.

HBFF will show a programme of World cinema, UK and US Independent features and shorts, as well Q&As, masterclasses, and panel discussions with the film makers.

We cannot wait to welcome filmmakers again to the beautiful Calder Valley.

See what filmmakers who attended the 1st HBFF say about their experience.

BAFTA winner Nicole Taylor writer of last year’s smash hit Wild Rose said “The friendliest festival on earth! We were made so welcome by everyone involved in the Festival and indeed the whole town. The atmosphere on opening night was electric and ever since I’ve been looking for an excuse to return to Hebden Bridge!”

BIFA nominee Steve Sullivan, winner of HBFF Audience award for Being Frank said “HBFF is simply the friendliest festival I’ve ever been too. The festival and cinema staff went out of their way to make my screening a success, from getting a near capacity audience to attend through to even helping me run my merch stall. It’s a beautiful town, populated by passionate cineastes and I can’t wait to return.”

Note: we are proud that HBFF is an F – Rated Film Festival. F-Rating is given to any film written by a woman, directed by a woman or featuring women in significant on-screen roles. Any film that meets all three criteria is awarded a Triple F-Rating. There is no requirement for films screened at HBFF to be F-rated, however we aim for at least 50% of films to be so. We also follow the BFi diversity standards - focusing on underrepresentation on screen, behind the camera and in film audiences, in relation to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+, religion or belief, socioeconomic background and geographical location.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature: £1000 cash prize
Best Short: First Prize: £500 cash prize
Shorts, Second Prize £150 cash prize
Audience Award for Best Feature
Audience Award for Best Short

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
1) All entries must have been completed between 1 January 2019 and 8 February 2021

2) Entries in languages other than English must come with English subtitles.

3) Feature films must be longer than 60 (I.e.60 mins or more) and no more than 120 minutes.

4) Shorts must be between 1 minute and 20 minutes. To qualify for the Young Person’s short the director must be between 18 and 26.

5) The final deadline for entries is 6 February 2021.

6) All cash prizes for feature films or shorts are awarded to the Director.

7) Entries in the Young Person's Film category are also eligible for the Best Short and Best Feature Prize; however if a Young Person's film wins the overall Best Short or Best Feature Prize, the Young Person's Film prize will go to the runner up in that category.
Note: The Runner up and Best Young Person's Film Prize Winner accepts their prize on condition that the Prize Sponsor Fox and Goose will be able to show the film at a later date in their venue.

GENERAL

8) Submitters must hold the rights to the film, and are responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, royalties, release forms, clearances, permits necessary to present their work. HBFF is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, or royalty infringement related to the work. The films must be available for both physical and online screening (UK only) on a secure and geo-protected platform.

9) Film-makers must include a logline (maximum 28 words) with their submission.

10) Selected entries will be screened during the HBFF programme, and by submitting a film, the entrant agrees that it may be screened both online and live if selected. No screening fee will be paid. The selection and scheduling of all films screened at HBFF is entirely at the discretion of the HBFF Director including variations in length or completion date. While there may be exceptions, generally HBFF will not show films that have already been broadcast or are available online in the UK. Films will be available to ticket holders who cannot attend in person for a limited time window on a secure and geo-protected platform.

11) If a film is selected, HBFF may make use of text, stills, trailers, and other publicity and marketing materials to publicise the festival, including using selected materials for a general festival trailer.

12) Film submission does not guarantee acceptance and no refund will be provided if the film is not selected

13) Any films to be shown at Hebden Bridge Picture House must be supplied as DCP. Films to be shown at Hebden Bridge Town Hall must be supplied as high resolution video file (mp4). Each DCP for projection must be labeled with English Film Title, Filmmaker's Name, Contact info, Running time and aspect ratio (4*3 or 16*9)
File requirements for uploading

14) Films shown online: Video File Requirements: H.264 @ 1080p / 10Mbps / high resolution video file - mp4. Must be under 10GB (90 minute film is approximately 5GB). The file requirements for projecting in theaters is typically much higher than what is needed for streaming online.

Audio Channels: two-channel stereo with optional Matrix embedded surround (Pro Logic or similar). 5.1 audio is NOT accepted.

Subtitle/Captions: .srt or .vtt files

15) Digital marketing materials must be made available within 1 week of notification of acceptance:
• Film Synopsis (250 words maximum)
• Link to official trailer
• At least three high resolution image (1920 x 1080 or higher) for the use of HBFF promotional brochures or publicity
• Production Still Photos
• Photo of the Director
• Biography/Filmography

16) All shipping and postage costs for DCPs and additional materials sent to HBFF must be borne by the submitting party (if the film is selected for the Festival). HBFF will cover return postage.

17) Entrants must assume all responsibility for clearing films through U.K. and/or foreign customs officials

18) Every precaution will be taken to safeguard all materials sent to HBFF, but HBFF is not responsible for damage to submitted materials incurred by shipping to or from the Festival.

19) HBFF reserves the right to make any change in regulations or festival schedule.

20) HBFF is proud to be an F – Rated Film Festival. An F Rating is given to any film written by a woman, directed by a woman or featuring women in significant on-screen roles. Any film that meets all three criteria is awarded a Triple F-Rating. We also follow the BFi diversity standards - The Standards focus on underrepresentation on screen, behind the camera and in film audiences, in relation to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+, religion or belief, socioeconomic background and geographical location outside London and the South East.

NB. Please note: a film does not have to be F-Rated to be screened at HBFF.

7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Manuel Tera

    Amazing festival in lovely Hebden Bridge, so well organized and welcoming for both filmmakers and audiences. I had a wonderful experience attending there with my film. Louise, Jay and the staff were all so kind and enthusiastic, and the atmosphere was of truly celebration of filmmaking. I would definitely love to be back with my next work. Congratulations!

    September 2019
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  • Alison Glennie

    After my short film was selected by this new festival, I was determined to attend in support of the F-rating. Louise Wadley, the dynamic festival director, galvanised the Calder Valley community & beyond to create an impressive weekend with sell-out screenings & enthusiastic audiences. Congratulations.

    April 2019
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  • Su Goldfish

    I was thrilled that The Last Goldfish screened in this new festival. I had great feedback from the organisers and some of the audience. It went really well. The festival was beautifully organised and all communications were clear. I wish them well for many more festivals.

    April 2019
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  • Daz Chandler

    It genuinely was a true pleasure to have been invited to present our film, 'Shireen of al-Walaja' (outside competition) as part of a double bill Q&A screening with 'Naila and The Uprising' at the inaugural Hebden Bridge Film Festival. I was fortunate enough to attend the festival in person (something that rarely happens being based in Australia for much of the year) and having not been to this particular part of the UK the locals refer to as 'the valley' before, was immediately taken aback by its sheer beauty, but also the community's progressive and inclusive outlook; two elements which are often difficult to come by at once in small picturesque towns such as this. The festival had an extraordinarily warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it easy to forge friendships with strangers and fellow filmmakers quickly. And on a personal note - having spent close to 20 years in the industry, I found it incredibly refreshing to see so many women working in film championed at the festival events. This included Q&A's with BAFTA award-wining screen-writers like Nicole Taylor (Wild Rose, Three Girls) and Jessica Hyne's for her writing / directing debut, 'The Fight.' If the essence and ethos behind this festival continues to develop, I have no doubt that the HBFF will grow into a sought-after event for filmmakers for many years to come.

    April 2019
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  • Holly Summerson

    A fantastic festival in a beautiful location, with very warm and welcoming organisers and a great atmosphere. It was a great opportunity to meet some fantastic film makers and see a great selection of films.

    April 2019
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