Entering our sixth year in 2022, Indie-Lincs is an International film festival that champions low and micro budget films, and their filmmakers.

We are particularly interested in fiction, documentary and animated films across the genre range of thriller, horror, sci-fi, drama and comedy. You will not find sequels, remakes or book adaptations here. Our aim is to help the best independent filmmakers from around the world showcase their original work and network successfully with their audience, other filmmakers and the independent film-making community.

We are looking for dynamic, inventive and challenging films that embody the low and micro budget film-making ethic.

Films will screen in Lincoln in Feb 2022. Based at Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, the festival is sponsored by The National Lottery via the BFI Film Audience Network, Lincoln School of Film & Media, and Lincoln Film Society. Films will compete for awards in several categories. These prizes are named after the 'Lincoln Imp'.

The Lincoln Imp is the emblem for our city, and resides high up on a stone pillar in the city's magnificent gothic Cathedral. The mischievous Imp is the perfect embodiment of the independent filmmaker's spirit, someone who dares to upset the equilibrium and do things their own way.

Awards & Prizes

The Angry IMP - Award for Most Challenging Film
The Big IMP - Award for Best Feature Film
The Little IMP - Award for Best Short Film (both UK and International)
The Baby IMP - Award for Best Student Film
The Thespian IMP - Award for Best Actor or Ensemble

Audience Award

Rules & Terms

1. All submissions must have been completed after 1st Jan, 2020.
2. We accept films from anywhere in the world providing that they are English language or subtitled in English. No sequels, remakes or novel/book adaptations are accepted - they must be the original work of the filmmaker and writer.
3. All submissions must be narrative films; Fiction, Documentary or Animation - Music videos and Trailers are not accepted.
4. Feature films must exceed 70 minutes (including credits) and embody the micro or low budget film-making ethic.
5. Short films must be no longer than 20 minutes (including credits) and embody a low or micro-budget film-making ethic.
6. Filmmakers may submit more than one film.
7. Entered films must be submitted via FilmFreeway as an online screener - shortlisted filmmakers will be contacted and asked to submit a Digital copy of their film either on a memory stick, or via online transfer for screening purposes.
8. Filmmakers that have been shortlisted will be notified by 13th January.
9. All shortlisted films will be eligible for one of our prizes.
10. Awards will be presented to filmmakers at our closing festival event on the 19th February, unless alternative arrangements are made with the winning filmmakers.
11. By submitting your film, you grant Indie-Lincs permission to screen your film, and use your film in whole (during the festival) or in part for promotional purposes (stills and marketing).
12. By submitting your film, you declare that all relevant permissions and copyright for the content of their film is in place. Proof of which may be required should the festival ask for verification.
13. All decisions made by Indie-Lincs regarding shortlisting and awards are final.
14. No premiere status is required in order to screen at Indie-Lincs, but films should not be available publicly.
15. Indie-Lincs do not offer full entry fee waivers because we are committed to the notion of parity for all filmmakers; we keep our entry fees very low because we understand how expensive festivals can be. Every single penny of your entry fee is fed back into our festival costs and all of our staff are unpaid volunteers. We are a 'non-profit' organisation.
16. No fee refunds will be offered under any circumstances. Please make sure that you fully understand the rules & terms listed here before entering your film and paying the entry fee.
17. We do offer a festival ALUMNI discount, please contact us for the code.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Aaron Good

    It was a pleasure to premiere What Happens at Sea in the city it was produced! Fantastic festival in a beautiful place, great selection of films. Would recommend to anybody!

    May 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Aaron. We do hope that you will submit your future films to Indie-Lincs.

  • Tawan Bazemore

    I love Indie-Lincs...they are just really cool and have an awesome festival! I was unable to attend but I know a few friends who were there and they spoke so highly of the festival. The communication was great! And I must say the selected and nominated films are high quality.

    My short film “Sound” was nominated for Best International Short.

    I look forward to submitting my future works there.

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Tawan - your film was certainly a terrific talking point at the festival this year. We look forward to seeing more of your innovative work.

  • Serena Abraham

    Great festival. Thank you so much for screening my film!

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Beautiful film, Serena. It was our pleasure.

  • Rebekah Louisa Smith

    An Awesome festival which is well organised and has a great team who really care

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Rebekah. We try our very best. So pleased that you appreciate our efforts 😁

  • Rhiannon Wyn

    What a brilliant festival! Warm, friendly, accessible, and with a phenomenal standard of work showcased. Indie Lincs is a professional, creative environment that facilitates genuine connections between delegates without enforced networking events. We left feeling part of something larger and with different perspectives on what it is to be a filmmaker in 2020. We will definitely be back.

    February 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Rhiannon. Always fantastic to have your support 😘