IMA Film Festival is a part of a three-day multidisciplinary arts festival based in Birmingham. Our aim is to provide a platform for emerging artists to celebrate their creativity and meet other creatives alike.

We want to celebrate local filmmakers by showcasing their work to a packed out audience on the big screen. Submissions should be no longer than 20 minutes and will be displayed on a cinema screen in Birmingham. We are looking for imaginative and engaging films from a diverse range of filmmakers bringing their essence to the screen. – This is your moment, own it!

Our aim is to put the festive back into Festival!

Awards & Prizes

Entrants are competing for their chance to be featured in the screening. Unfortunately, no prizes are available - It's a celebration, not a competition.

Rules & Terms

We are looking for imaginative and engaging films from a diverse range of filmmakers bringing their essence to the screen. – This is your moment, own it!

Duration: Films MUST be no longer than 20 minutes (excluding credits).

Premiere status: No Premiere status required.

Rights: We require films to have all necessary rights and releases secured before submission. (Yes, this includes music!)

Free to view: We only select films that are free for audiences to view.

Download permissions: In order to be considered for the festival, please enable 'festival downloads' in your films privacy settings.

Refund policy: Unfortunately we are unable to refund submission fees once you have submitted your film. Please make absolutely sure you are ready to submit your film before doing so.

As with other festivals, submission fees are paid for your film to be considered. Submission does not guarantee that you will be accepted. If your film is not accepted, your submission fee is non-refundable.

If your Film is selected, we may contact you for a brief synopsis to include in the festival program.

Closing dates for entries is Sunday 16th April.

All applicants will be notified by Sunday 23rd April.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Steven Coles

    Thanks for a great festival. A really enthusiastic group with positive energy. Really great setting and really enjoyed the mix of art and film.

    Great day, thank you 😊

    May 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Steven, I'm glad you enjoyed the festival. It was lovely speaking to you! :)

  • Fahad Al Maimani

    No recognition in the media for the selected films

    May 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Hi Fahad,

    Sorry you were not happy with the festival's promotion. As we did explain to you via instagram, the festival trailer only featured a handful of the selected films. Your film was featured in the festival and shared across the festivals social media during the screening.

    Apologies for the confusion. I hope you enjoyed the rest of the festival!

    Thanks
    The IMA Team

  • Ishmael Ali

    Amazing event, with amazing hosts! Was so glad to talk to other people about mine and their films!

    May 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Ishmael! I'm glad you enjoyed the festival! :)

  • Thomas Reade

    What a great event! Such a variety of films on display, great venue and lots of lovely people hanging around after in the bar to chat to. Looking forward to the next one! :)

    May 2023
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Thomas, I'm glad you enjoyed the festival! :)