Now entering its fifth year, 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 on the 13th to 15th February 2020. 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 prizes in several categories. These prizes take the form of an '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, 2018.
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 15th 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 or in part for archive, non-commercial, or promotional purposes.
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.
12 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Markus Kaatsch

    It was a great pleasure to be part of Indie-Lincs! The festival is supporting really independant films! Films which inspire! Filmmakers who love cinema! Audience who is deeply involved! Thanx thanx thanx!
    - Katharina Bellena, actress/producer of “Hotel Auschwitz”, the winner of Prize for Most Challenging Film

    March 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Katharina and Markus. We very much enjoyed having you as part of our festival. We'll continue to support the best independent world cinema. Very best wishes with Hotel Auschwitz.

  • Niall Shukla

    This is a really great film festival with excellent communication to its filmmakers. Mikey and the team are really going the extra mile to make this festival into something special. I was so proud to have my film accepted and I would highly recommend submitting!!

    March 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your review, Niall. Your film was certainly one of the more talked about films at our festival this year. Hopefully see you next year.

  • Mikel Iriarte

    Mikey and the Indie Lincs team were excellent hosts throughout. The programming of the festival was second to none. We were very proud to have been selected amongst such an outstanding selection. The entire festival ran seamlessly with fantastic talks and workshops to boot! Lincoln is a delightful city and Indie Lincs is well worth the trip!

    February 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Cheers Mikel, was great to have your team at the festival. We very much enjoyed showcasing your excellent film. See you next year hopefully.

  • Lukas Zweng

    Great Festival! Thank you for everything.

    February 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank-you, Lukas. It was so nice to have your film and of course to welcome Henrietta at our festival. A great effort to travel from Austria and congrats on the award. We hope that you will enter your films to Indie-Lincs IFF again.

  • Jess Bartlett

    Indie-Lincs was one of the best festivals we have visited thus far. The organisers and staff were wonderful and extremely welcoming. The programme was full of innovative ideas and the networking aspect after each day was a lovely touch. Our crew had a great time and we’d definitely return. Thank you Indie-Lincs!

    February 2019
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Jess. You team turned out in great number and really added to our festival with both your film and your enthusiasm for networking. Many congrats on scooping The Baby Imp, we wish you all the very best with it moving forward.