I Will Tell is an International Film Festival that celebrates powerful, authentic and sometimes hidden or forgotten stories from independent filmmakers around the world.

These are films that show that turning on the light is the best way of fighting the darkness.

These are high quality films, many of which have gone on to be nominated (and sometimes to win) in various categories at the BAFTAs and the OSCARS. Screenings are followed by post- screening talks with filmmakers, other experts and the wider audience to discuss filmmaking, issues raised in the films and the transforming power of Love.

2023 Festival Winners included Celia Imrie (Best Supporting Actress) Catherine Joy White (Best Actress), Sean Patrick Flannery (Best Actor) and Kammy Darweish.(Best Actor)

2022 Festival Winners included: LEDISI (Best Actress), Cathy Tyson (Best Actress). Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (Ndinadsawapanga Award), Slovo House - Ukraine (Best Narrative Feature).

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.

Previous venues have included the British Film Institute, the Curzon Mayfair, Birmingham Town Hall and the Odeon. Leicester Square. In 2023 we expanded to Birmingham, Bristol, Stoke on Trent.

The US Festival takes place in late October/early November in Fort Lauderdale.
Full details will be added to our website and communicated to filmmakers in competition.

A small number of films will also be selected for our charitable screenings in Trinidad and Tobago mid-August.

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. She taught festival director, Jenny Lee, he word Ndindsawapanga which means I Will Tell.

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 narrative features, documentaries, shorts 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)
Mischa Marcus, Director (I AM STILL HERE).

Our guests have included Lily James (Mama Mia), Raymond Santana (Exonerated Five) and Rev Dr Otis Moss III. We have premiered films by award-winning filmmakers such as Ava DuVernay as well as upcoming talents such as the Oscar nominated Kang Quintus.

2023 will be our 17th 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.

The date range is unusually wide to accommodate the UK , US and Trinidadian event dates. Full details of dates of each country's festival will be announced on our website www.iwilltell.com.

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.

The full list of 2022 winners can be found here:https://iwilltell.com/2022-winners/

2021 Festival Winners are here https://iwilltell.com/and-the-winners-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

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 this year?

We look forward to welcoming you to the 17th I Will Tell International Film Festival!

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Feature
Best Feature Documentary
Best Narrative Short
Best Animation Short
Best Experimental Short

Best Actor, Narrative Feature
Best Supporting Actor, Narrative Feature
Best Actress, Narrative Feature
Best Supporting Actress, Narrative Feature
Best Actor, Narrative Short
Best Supporting Actor, Narrative Short
Best Actress, Narrative Short
Best Supporting Actress, Narrative Short
Best Ensemble Acting

Rising Star Award
Best Sound Design
Best Film Score
Best Screenplay
Best Editing

Audience Award Dramatic
Audience Award Documentary

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

Special Mention

Special Jury Prizes

Rules & Terms

We accept films from a wide range of genres that amplify the voices of the unheard and address the theme in a unique way, bringing a hidden, ignored or forgotten story to light.

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.

32 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alan Hamwan

    Thank you, IWTIFF team. Being part of such a fantastic film festival, a lovely experience, with friendly communication and promptness, was an honour. I hope that the film festival will constantly develop.

    November 2023
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  • Erik Borner

    "I will tell" is the most heartwarming and professional Festivals, you will find around! Jenny Lee and her wonderful team, their passion for outstanding performances, the perfectly done Award Ceremony including spreading the word around the world in UK, the US and Trinidad Tobago is totally unique and special since the last 17 years! The communication is perfect, their work is outstanding! THANK YOU Jenny and your whole team, including Bart Gavigan as the Jury president, for awarding my film "SILENCE" with the "Filmlanguage Innovation Award". It was an honor being part of your magical festival and I wish you just the vry best for the future! God bless, yours Erik

    November 2023
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  • Belinda Gosbee

    Such an amazing festival team to deal with! The communication and organisation was absolutely wonderful and though we were far away we felt so included in every single aspect. We were also elated to score several nominations for our film, Amend :) Definitely worth the submission!

    November 2023
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  • LOLA ATKINS

    Our movie received so much love from the IWTI film festival. We debuted at the iconic BFI Southbank cinema in London, to a sold-out audience and got nominated for awards. We also screened in Florida.
    The festival team were very supportive, and professional, and made sure that we got as much exposure as the film needed, which elevated our status. Would recommend submitting your film, especially if your an upcoming filmmaker.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Davon Johnson

    I can say I was happy that the festival screen one of my older production that has a lot of value. As far as I know my film project, was apart of it traveling section of the festivals so I do appreciate that my small short doc 'Ujamaa Holiday Market' Had some added festival screening for more people to see my love for Cinema!

    April 2023
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