The I Will Tell International Film Festival celebrates powerful, authentic stories that have been hidden, forgotten or ignored. These are stories that challenge perspectives and catalyse change. Many of our films have gone on to be nominated (and sometimes to win) in various categories at the BAFTAs and the OSCARS.

The name of the festival was inspired by a young girl, called Anel, from an impoverished area in Mozambique who wanted the world to know her story in all its simplicity, authenticity, imperfection and power.

Today I Will Tell gathers stories from around the world that contribute to a more complete global narrative, challenging perspectives and inspiring and motivating in ways that are truly transformative. Our festivals in the UK, US and the Caribbean premiere high quality dramas, documentaries, short films and animation. Each screening is followed by an inspirational post-screening discussion with filmmakers,
community leaders, country ambassadors, subject matter experts and an
engaged, culturally diverse and socially- conscious public. These discussions create a space for connecting filmmakers, change pioneers and the wider audience. Together we uncover deeper truths, enhance global empathy and catalyze change at an individual and societal level.

Our jury has included Bart Gavigan (Filmmaker and Hollywood script
doctor), Max Oginni (Animator, Mr Bean Series), Lashana Lynch (007, Fast Girls), Prof Robert Beckford (BBC and Channel 4), Dionne Walker
(Producer, THE HARD STOP), Oris Erhuero (Sometimes in April) .
Martin Kiszko (Academic and Storyteller).

Our guests have included Lily James (Mama Mia), Raymond Santana (Exonerated Five) and we have premiered films by award-winning filmmakers such as Ava DuVernay as well as upcoming talents such as the Oscar nominate Kang Quintus.

The festival was founded by Trinidadian born Jenny Lee who was inspired
by her Christian faith to tackle some of life’s big questions and shine
a light of hope on those of every gender, race, age, creed and ethic who
have been overlooked, under-served and misrepresented. We showcase the
most innovative and unforgettable films addressing issues such as race,
social justice, relationship, faith, war and peace, business,
government, gender issues, global politics and community cohesiveness.

Our mission is to host, encourage and support the best of the world’s established and emerging filmmaking talent creating story-telling masterpieces. They are stories that empower the people whose voices would not otherwise be heard or whose stories have been hidden in distant memories, ignored or deliberately withheld from us. They are stories that provoke awe and wonder.

2021 will be our 15th year showcasing award-winning films from over 50 countries of a variety of genres from micro animations to epic feature-length dramas followed by thought-provoking and inspirational post-screening discussions. Our theme for this year is WHAT'S NEXT?
The 2021 festival will be a hybrid event of virtual and in-person screenings.

We love stories that challenge, awe us, shake us to the core of our beings and open up our minds to other possibilities. We love stories that encourage, empower, equip us and inspire us. And we love stories that remind us who we truly are.

2020 Festival Winners included
The Fisherman's Diary (Kang Quintus and JEnah Johnscott)
Dolapo is Fine (Ethosheia Hylton)
The Salt of the Earth, Gunpei Yamamuro) (Ryû Morioka )
The full list of winners is here: https://iwilltell.tv/pages/press-release

Recent (2019) festival winners included:
Marzieh Riahi (Driving Lessons)
Alex Blum and Noman Robin (A Modern Genocide)
Tomislav Zaja (Neighbors)
Emiliano Sette (Anacronte)

2018 Winners were:
Tedy Necula - Beside Me
Zara Balfour and Marcus Stephenson - Children of the Snowland
Stephen Gray - Discovering Heaven
Mohammed Bakshi - Are You Volleyball?!

2017 Winners were
Mischa Marcus - I AM STILL HERE (Best Drama)
Jonas Schaul & Oliver Becker - KINGSTON CROSSROADS (Best Documentary)
Samantha Babboni - ORDINARY MAN (Best Short Film)
Ya-Yu Lin - KEEP GOING (Special Mention)

At our 10th anniversary in 2016, Director KEN LOACH was given our DIAMOND AWARD

Special Screenings have included:
WHEN THEY SEE US (Ava DuVernay)
13TH (Ava DuVernay)
BIRTH OF A NATION (Nate Parker)
QUEEN OF KATWE (Mira Nair)
THE HELP (Tate Taylor)
I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS (Fielder Cook)

Other winners/outstanding films through the years have included:
A BOLD PEACE (NDINADSAWAPANGA AWARD)
PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL
BURMA VJ
INNOCENT VOICES
WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED

Could you be in this list next year? We look forward to welcoming you to the 14th I Will Tell International Film Festival!
2020 Theme: #DefiningMoments

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Drama
Best Feature Documentary
Best Short Drama
Best Animation

AD HOC PRIZES
Ndinadzawapanga (Grand Jury Prize) is awarded for an exceptional film in any category

Special Mention

Rules & Terms

We accept films from a wide range of genres that amplify the voices of the unheard and address the theme (Defining Moments) in a unique way, bringing a hidden, ignored or forgotten story to light. Due to the COVID restrictions the 2020 film festival will be held online.

SUBMISSION RULES
1. A film may only be submitted to the festival by the rights owner and there must be no disputes regarding the ownership or distribution or exhibition rights of the submission in part or in entirety.

2. I Will Tell encourages freedom of intellectual expression, including controversial moral, social, political and economical issues, but reserves the right to exclude material if it judges it to be gratuitously offensive or pornographic.

3. The submitted material must not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and the submitter fully indemnifies the I Will Tell International Film Festival against any claim made for such violations of law.

4. Each film for the competition should be treated as a separate entry and accompanied by a press kit in English.

5. Films can be submitted in the original language but they must have English subtitles.

6. The decision on whether or not to accept or screen an entry in either the UK or US festival is the sole right of I Will Tell.

7. I Will Tell is authorised to partially transmit, reproduce and screen selected excerpts from the films or photographs for promotional purposes on radio, television, the internet, print and other promotional media.

8. I Will Tell reserves the right to include the official festival logo in connection with submitted clips or photographs in all promotion and publicity material.

9. All film and music rights and clearances must be obtained (in accordance with relevant copyright laws).

10. You agree and hold the I Will Tell International Film Festival harmless from and defend them from all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether groundless or not, based on any film submitted to the festival.

11. Failure to adhere to festival rules will result in disqualification of screening and forfeiture of entry fee.

12. By submitting the film into the competition, you confirm that the film complies with I Will Tell Submission Rules and certify that the film will not be withdrawn from the UK or US festival if the film is accepted.

16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Xin Li

    Thank you for giving the award towards my film The Winter. It is a great honour to be included in I Will Tell International Film Festival. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

    March 2021
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  • Tamer Soliman

    A wonderful festival to be a part of. The energy and communication around the films being screened, Q&A's and awards ceremony was unmatched.

    October 2020
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  • Angela Heath

    Super Festival! Jenny Lee is quite passionate about presenting an excellent festival and we filmmakers greatly appreciate her efforts! Thank you I Will Tell for screening Women of Faith: Coping with Trauma. We participated in a panel discussion and screened our film all virtually. It was a challenge for sure - but Jenny and your team all did a great job. Next project: will def submit! Thank you!!

    September 2020
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  • Sergio Guerrero

    Great experience! Jenny has a strong mission to help films and filmmakers thrive.

    September 2020
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  • Ken Sagoes

    We were deeply honored and grateful that “The McHenry Trial - Don't Judge a Kid by Their Hoodie" was an Official Selection in the I Will Tell International Film Festival. The event was well-organized with great communication. May the festival continue to provide filmmakers a platform that fosters creativity and self expression.

    September 2020
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