***GREAT NEWS, AFTER A BREAK OF TWO YEARS KINO IS MAKING A RETURN WITH A SPECIAL EUROPEAN MINI FESTIVAL IN MAY THIS YEAR (13TH - 19TH MAY 2024) IN MANCHESTER AND WE ARE OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS NOW INITIALLY UNTIL MID APRIL***

Welcome to MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL the organising party behind KINOFILM MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL NOW IN ITS' 19TH EDITION. Kinofilm is the North West of England's longest running Short Film Festival. PLEASE NOTE: the new dates for this special mini Festival (18th Kinofilm festival) are 13th - 19th MAY 2024.

After a two year break we are presenting a flash festival, a mini festival of British and European Shorts only in only for this week long event, which we aim to be a special feature on British and European short films. We welcome short films from across the UK and Western Europe as the main programmes will be British Shorts, Northwest shorts, with special European programmes of Spanish Shorts, Italian Shorts and Pan European. As always we welcome short animated films of all types for a special programme of Animations and of course, films by women directors for our always popular focus on Films made by Women Directors You can submit to any of these categories or leave it to us to do the final selection and to decide were best we want to show your short.

There will be no exclusions if your film has been shown elsewhere or even locally, but you should tell us if your film has had any local screening or if you would like to offer it to us as a premier at the time of applying, all we ask is that your film is not yet online for public viewing and with no plans for a online release before end of the festival dates.. Films previously shown at kino can be submitted for consideration but please note that films not previously shown at KINO will take a precedence in the selection procedure.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Re recommend submitting your films early to get the really cheapest rates - the early bird fee is only £7.00 to submit to our regular deadline until the 2nd April. From 2rd April entry will increase to just £12 until the closing date of 16th April.

Entree fees for all categories are the same apart and are even cheaper for Gold Members of FFW (25% discount).

Sections

1. British New Wave
Open to shorts from all over the UK (including Wales, Scotland and Ireland), maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 2 years from the date of our festival.

2. North West of England
Open to shorts from the NorthWest of England including off course Greater Manchester, maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 2 years from the date of our festival.

3. Spanish Shorts
Open only to short films from Spain (including its islands and territories), maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 2 years from the dates of our festival.

4. Italian Shorts
Open only to short films from Italy (including Sardinia and Sicily), maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 2 years from the date of our festival.

5. Pan European
Open to short films across Europe (any Spanish and Italian entries will primarily be considered for the Italian and Spanish programme) maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 2 years from the date of our festival.

6. Animation
Open to short animations and documentaries from UK and Europe, maximum length of 12 mins and made within the last 2 years from the date of our festival.

7. UK Student Shorts
Open only to Student short films from from the UK, maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 12 months from the date of our festival.

8. Women in Film Section
Women play an important role in filmmaking and we continue our long standing celebration of Women in Film with this programme. This one programme will focus solely on Women directors from UK and Europe. Space in this programme will be in demand, submit to this programme only if you want to be considered for this specific Women in Film programme. Alternatively, please submit to any of the standard categories as listed. Maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 12 months from the date of our festival.

9. Uk Documentary
Open to short documentaries from UK, maximum length of 17 mins and made within the last 2 years from the date of our festival.

General Information.
Established in 1995 KINOFILM, has been in operation for 29 years though this is only our 19th edition of the short film festival, as due to other projects and funding issues we have taken occasional intervals from the festival whilst concentrating on past educational projects and other specifically themed festivals.

KINOFILM has a unique reputation for showcasing the best short films from around the world, whilst being renowned for seeking out diverse, challenging and groundbreaking new films. We welcome filmmakers that are pushing the boundaries of the short film art form. The festival maintains a high standard with many European & International award-winning shorts featured in the Festival. It includes special programmes in North West Shorts (UK), British New Wave, Euro Cine, International Panorama, Kino Exposed (student and youth shorts), low/no budget shorts, Animation and various themed programmes, giving new and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to have their work screened alongside that of critically acclaimed, established short filmmakers.

Remember this a flash mini festival, not on the scale or our previous KINO festivals, but in a way much more focused. We intend to put it together really quickly with the festival taking place mid May. There will be one screening a night with Q&As and networking opportunities with the directors. At the weekend there will be more screenings and parties plus our award ceremony on Sunday evening.

Films should have been completed since July 2022 to present and be no longer than 15 mins (animations should be no longer than 10 mins). PLEASE NOTE FILMS SHOULD NOT BE ONLINE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION AND AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO OUR FESTIVAL (APART FROM PRIVATE LINKS). ANY FILMS THAT ARE SEEN TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN WILL FACE DISQUALIFICATION AND NO REFUND WILL BE OFFERED.

SORRY, THIS YEAR, AS A LIMITED MINI-FESTIVAL, WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING FILMS FROM UK AND EUROPE.

Please note, turn around on submissions will be quick. You should know no later than the end of April if your film is selected. Due to the quick turnaround you will be expected to provide no more than two images and your film file within a week of it being accepted. Please do not submit your film if you think such a tight schedule may be difficult for you.

REFUNDS GIVEN ONLY IN THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES: Please note if you make a genuine mistake and submit your film to us not realising that it does not fit all of the criteria, or you have to withdraw it for other reasons, we will refund your fee if the request is made only within the first two weeks from the date of your submission. Films withdrawn later for other reasons such as you wish to withdraw it as your film has been accepted in another festival that requires premier status, will not receive a refund. (Please note that any refunds will be after FFW (8%) and PP (3.5%) commission fees already deducted from your fee, you will only be refunded the net amount that the festival receives).

Aims of the Festival:

1. To deliver a film festival of regional, national and international significance.

2. To nurture new talent and support the work of culturally diverse, emerging filmmakers.

3. To attract an industry base of filmmakers and media industry professionals, to encourage the exchange of ideas and development of partnerships.

4. To attract cinema goers and diverse audiences that would not normally experience the short film art form or film festivals.

5. To focus on the needs of the regions filmmakers, visiting filmmakers and the region’s audiences.

The festival will be competitive but this year there will be no financial or physical awards. Award certificates will be presented and off course you will honoured with the acknowledgement of being awarded one of the best films in the festival. The primary award categories will be as follows (other award categories with be dependent on number of entries):

Best UK Short
Best European Short
Best North West Short
Best Women in Film
Best Director
Best Student Short

Other ward categories to be announced

After you submit your film, please remember to tell your friends and colleagues by Tweeting the news "I have submitted my film to @Kinofilm" . You can do this easily by using the Tweet facility on this site that shows directly after you have completed your entry. Please do it to help spread the news of our Open Call for Entries.

FESTIVAL DATES
1. Confirmed dates for the festival are 13th - 19th May 2024.

2. Please see our website for full programme schedule at the beginning of May.

3. Please note, we obviously welcome premiers at the festival, please state in your cover letter if your film is a premier and it's status at the time of submission (Greater Manchester / North West / UK / Europe / World).

4. We are not a premiere-only festival and we will consider any film regardless of its status as long as it fits the criteria above (running length and date of production complete since July 2022). There are no exclusions if your film has been screened elsewhere though if in Manchester, please tell us when and where. However, once your film is accepted it should not be screened in any other Manchester festival from the date of acceptance to the the festival screening or it will be disqualified without refund.

5. If your film has been shown in Greater Manchester prior to our Festival or has already been accepted in other local festival then then please declare that at the time of entry. Failure to inform us of any such screenings and your film will be disqualified.

6. Please note films should not be online for public view or they will be disqualified.

7. Films must be no longer than 17 mins (animations no longer than 12 mins) and must be completed after July 2022.

8.. If your film is accepted you must not agree not to any other screenings not already declared at the time of acceptance within Greater Manchester.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
1. Please note the very short submission period for entries, and get your films in quick. The sooner you enter the sooner you will know if your film is accepted. We intend to let everyone know by the end of April. If our programme fills up quickly we may end the submission deadline earlier than advertised.

2. On receipt of your submission you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number that should be quoted on all future correspondence as well as the film title in the subject heading of your email.

3. Successful applicants will be informed as early as possible but at the latest the notification date is 30th April 2024. Once accepted you are not allowed to withdraw your film and you should not accept any other screenings within Greater Manchester prior to the festival or your film will be disqualified.

4. Dependent on the number of entries we cannot guarantee to inform personally all unsuccessful entrants, so unless informed otherwise, please assume your entry has been unsuccessful on this occasion if you do not hear fro us by the end of April. HOWEVER, all entrants will received a notification through FilmFreeway if accepted or rejected. You may request confirmation or further info if required and we will do our best to respond within 48 hours - time permitting.

5. Applicants must confirm acceptance within 2 days of receiving the notification (quoting your film title and reference number). At this stage please supply images of the film (no more than 3 images plus a digital poster). Please note all images that you send us should be saved in the title of the film (not something like "headshot"), remember we will be receiving hundreds of files to our downloads folder and images not sent in the name of the film will be deleted. At this stage you will also be asked to confirm the credits for director, producer, writer and main cast to avoid errors on our web site. You should also inform us your social media handles for FB/Twitter.

6. Projection File: You will be given a date to provide via a suitable file transfer service the digital file of your screening print (you will be notified of a different email address to send your files to).

The projection file must be outputted h264 no larger than 3GB, please do not send pro-res files or DCP as on this occasion we cannot accept them due to the tight timescale.

7. Updated information on the festival and successful entries will be announced on the festival web site www.kinofilm.org.uk and on the Festival Facebook page www.facebook.com/kinofilmfest

8. Entrants should ensure that they read and agree to the Permissions of the festival which you agree to when submitting your entry. Please notify us of any specific requests.

9. All successful filmmakers will receive a complimentary pass for all Festival screenings and one guest tickets for their film screening. Please note that due to the fact that Kino is unfunded we will not be able to cover any costs incurred of attending the festival and you will be responsible for organising your own accommodation.

10. ALL ENTRANTS TO THE FESTIVAL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND WILL RECEIVE A FREE TICKET FOR A SCREENING OF THEIR CHOSE (subject to availability).

10. Please note if we accept your film we do not pay screening fees.

PERMISSIONS:
Please note when you submit your film you consent to the following:

1. TV / Web broadcasts of your trailer for promotional purposes if relevant?

2. Your film/or an extract being shown in press screening if relevant?

3. A short clip of your film or trailer; still images and details of your work being used on the Kinofilm Website?

4. You agree to your film being also being shown in any Kino pre or post festival or promo events (for example festival touring programme) with no fee *(unless you have informed us otherwise and it was agreed with the Festival Director.

NB: Please note, no film will be shown in its entirety on line (we may use your trailer or link to a trailer if you have supplied us with one).. We may circulate on our site or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter trailers pre-festival and only a select number of films will be shown in a press screening to launch the festival campaign.

AGREEMENT
● I agree to screening my film in the Kinofilm festival and in other future post or pre Festival or Kino Shorts events as and when required (including press and promotional events and post festival touring programmes if relavent) and without a fee. Please note we will inform you of any such screenings but be aware that sometimes due to timing or technical issues we my not always be able to contact you in time prior to the screening.

● I also agree that once accepted I will not accept any other screenings of the film in the City of Manchester prior to the Kinofilm Festival.

● I hereby give my permission for any number of screenings of the above film (as above) and confirm that I am duly authorised to submit this film. I also certify that all rights and clearances for use of any soundtrack, or other copyrighted materials / images have been obtained and I release Kinofilm Festival from any liability from either public screening or other such use in any and all media.

● I understand that Kinofilm Festival is not responsible for any damage or faults that may result in the film being withdrawn from the Festival or Kino Shorts or any other co-promoted event Kino is involved in, in circumstances beyond their control.

● I also confirm I will not withdraw my film once I have signed and returned this form to the festival.

● I agree to all publicity about my film across websites and social media, including posts on Facebook and Twitter. I understand that Kino will not show any clips / trailer of the film without my expressed permission.

NB. Any variation of this agreement must be communicated to us in writing and agreed by the Festival Director.

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NB: Kinofilm reserves the right to cancel or postpone the event in circumstances beyond our control or in the case of "an act of God". In the case of a cancellation or postponement beyond our control Kinofilm will not be responsible to refund any fees or costs attributed to submit films or attending the festival. Tickets and passes purchased in advance will be fully refunded.
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The Company, Manchester International Film Festival® was established in 2006 to promote the work of independent filmmakers, to establish an International Film Festival in Manchester and currently delivers the Manchester International Short Film Festival.

Kinofilm, TM is the brand trading name of our short film festival operated and produced by MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL®, a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. No. 06052838

The organising company is:
“MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL”® is a registered trademark protected by UK Law.

Use of KinofilmTM brand / logo and the logo/brand of the company logo or phrase ‘MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL’® including for any similar uses in class 9,16, 41 (as defined by UK Gov Intellectual Property Office) is strictly protected under UK Law. Trade Mark UK00002428249 ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • imagine...
    your film selected for the festival but they don't communicated with you because they don't respect to you ...

    November 2022
  • Janet Marrett

    An excellent festival, big on including diverse filmmaking voices. Thanks for inviting CLEARING to be part of the official 2022 selection.

    November 2022
  • Lou Sumray

    I was very happy indeed to be part of this lovely festival, very friendly and good communication and really enjoyed the venue too.

    October 2022
  • Ava Bounds

    What a great time we had in Manchester at the MiniCine. Wonderful selection of films and plenty of attendees. The programming was spot on and the welcome warm. I'd absolutely recommend this cool festival in an even cooler city to all young film makers.

    October 2022
  • Despite Corona coming along and tearing things up, these guys dealt with it admirably.

    August 2020