"Beautiful art style and narration, perfect flow." SLIVER OF LIGHT

"Underneath the office humor, this short hides a heavy psychological story about a parent holding her son by the throat. The final dedication, to everyone who was devoured, leaves a strong, lingering impression.": Canis Lupus, on PLANKTON PLAYED WITH JAZZMEN

"Structurally, using a single location keeps a real pressure-cooker tension. I highly praise the decision to design the third-act climax as a battle of wits at a poker table, rather than defaulting to a cliché, CGI-heavy spell duel." Zoe Thompson, on the screenplay SOLOMON'S KEYS

This is our audience, unfiltered.

From a gut reaction in the dark to a structural read of your third act, real people in a Tbilisi cinema and on our curated Festival Channel watch films, read the screenplay's excerpts, and say exactly what they felt. Praise where it's earned, honesty where it isn't.

Live Screenings is built around it. Real people, in a Tbilisi cinema and on our curated Festival Channel, watch the film, read the screenplays' excerpts, and tell you exactly what they felt. You walk away with a personalized Audience Feedback Report, plus two professional reads from our team:

🟢 AUDIENCE FEEDBACK REPORT: recommendation (NPS) score, component ratings, emotional profile, real viewer and reader quotes, and our verdict on where it lands.

🟢 FESTIVAL OPINION: a professional read on the craft: strengths, standout elements, and a market-fit summary.

🟢 DISTRIBUTION OPINION: for work with commercial reach, a market read on where it can travel: format, target buyers and territories, positioning. Our distribution partners take part.

🤝 NOT SELECTED? You're not left with silence. On request, our selection committee still sends a private feedback report, what worked, what held it back, and where your film belongs. Not being selected doesn't mean your film has no market; more often, it just hasn't found the right one yet. A foundation, not a verdict.

🤝 OPEN TO EVERY GENRE AND FORMAT: short films, features, documentaries, experimental, animation, music videos, AI-driven work, and unproduced screenplays of any kind.

✅ EVERY SELECTED PROJECT GETS: a live screening in Tbilisi + the Festival Channel · a personalized Audience Feedback Report · an Official Selection certificate + laurels · a dedicated project page with your audience's comments · promotion across our channels · eligibility for our awards and Audience Choice honors.

Live Screenings International Film Festival is
where your work meets its audience, and you finally find out what it's really got.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS & PRIZES

— JURY AWARDS (selected by our professional jury) —

🏆 Best Feature Film
🏆 Best Short Film
🏆 Best Documentary
🏆 Best Animated Film
🏆 Best Experimental Film
🏆 Best AI-Driven Film
🏆 Best Director
🏆 Best Cinematography
🏆 Best Editing
🏆 Best Original Score
🏆 Best Actor / Best Actress
🏆 Genre Awards: Best Horror · Best Thriller · Best Sci-Fi · Best Drama · Best Comedy · Best Action

— AUDIENCE AWARDS (decided by the audience) —
🥇 Festival Winner: live audience vote at the Tbilisi cinema
📺 Channel Audience Choice: vote on the private Festival Channel
✍️ Readers' Choice: vote in the Screenplay Contest

Every winner also receives laurels, a winner digital certificate, a digital diploma.

— PROFESSIONAL ANALYTICS (available to every participant) —
Beyond the award, you can walk away with a real read on your work:

🏆 Audience Feedback Report: how your audience actually received the work: a recommendation (NPS) score, component ratings (directing, script, visuals, sound, performance, engagement), an emotional profile, selected viewer and reader quotes, and our verdict on where it lands.

🏆 Festival Opinion: our team's professional read on the craft: strengths, standout elements, and a market-fit summary (genre, target audience, festival and platform fit).

🏆 Distribution Opinion: a market read on where the work can travel: format and budget assessment, target buyers and territories, and positioning notes for reaching them.

Rules & Terms

General Terms:

The official language of the festival is English.
Submissions are accepted from all countries.
Films in any language are eligible but must include English subtitles (.srt or burned-in).
All projects must have been completed no earlier than 2019.
All submissions are digital only. We do not accept DVDs or physical media.
Submission fees are non-refundable and must be paid via the designated platform.
The festival does not provide fee waivers.
The festival does not pay screening fees for submitted or selected projects.
Selected projects must provide required materials (screener, subtitles, trailer, etc.) by the announced deadlines.
The festival reserves the right to adjust the screening format, schedule, and venue as needed.

Film Selection & Screening Conditions
Submitted projects go through a preliminary selection process. Not all submitted projects will be accepted.
Preliminary accepted projects may be included in the festival Long List if they align with the festival’s vision and meet the initial criteria.
Long-listed projects may receive a dedicated informational page on the festival’s website:
- This page does not provide access to watch the project outside of festival screenings.
- It serves to promote the project within the festival’s network and industry community.
The final Official Selection is determined after further review of content, quality, and required materials.
All the official selected projects receive official selected laurels by email.
Only projects that provide complete and timely materials will be screened.
Projects will only be screened if all necessary materials are provided on time, including:
- A high-quality screener (MP4 or MOV format)
- English subtitles (if applicable)
- Trailer and promotional materials (if available)
The festival reserves the right not to screen a selected project if:
- Technical issues prevent proper projection.
- The provided materials do not meet the required quality standards.
- The filmmaker does not submit the required materials by the deadline.
Online screenings (via the Festival Channel) are optional; filmmakers must notify us in advance if they decline.
Films on the Festival Channel are accessible only to registered or invited viewers during festival dates.

Screenplay Contest Terms
Screenplays must be written in English.
The script must follow industry-standard formatting, using a 12-point Courier or equivalent font.
Each screenplay must include a title page with the title, writer’s name, and contact information.
The script must not have been previously sold or be currently under option.
Screenplays of any genre within horror, thriller, or dark fiction are eligible.
Accepted formats: Feature-length, short scripts, pilot scripts.
Selected screenplay loglines and excerpts may be published on the festival website during the event dates.
Submitted screenplays will be evaluated by a dedicated jury for creativity, structure, originality, and genre impact.

Audience Voting & Feedback
The audience rates projects screened at live events and on the Festival Channel based on multiple criteria, such as Directing, Cinematography, Acting, Music/Sound Design, Storytelling/Script, Overall Impact
Audience reviews are posted on the project’s informational page on the festival website for additional visibility.

Venue & Schedule Adjustments
The festival screenings take place at venues determined by the festival producers.
The festival reserves the right to change the screening venue, format, and/or schedule at its sole discretion. This may occur due to external circumstances, including but not limited to: Venue availability changes, Safety concerns or unforeseen restrictions, Technical issues affecting screenings, Force majeure or other unexpected disruptions etc.

Awards & Prizes
The Festival Jury determines the Category Award Winners.
The Channel Audience Choice Award Winner is determined by voting on the Festival Channel.
The Readers' Choice Award Winner is determined by voting on the Screenplay Contest Page
The Festival Winner is determined by live audience voting at the event.
The festival reserves the right not to award certain categories if no project meets the necessary The festival reserves the right to rename award categories to better reflect the winning project’s strengths.
All winners receive digital laurels, certificates, and diplomas via email.
Officially selected but not awarded Projects receive the certificates via email.

Filmmaker Support & Additional Opportunities
All selected projects, including Long-listed and Official Selection projects, may receive distribution and promotion offers from our team and partners.
Projects will have dedicated informational pages on the festival website, featuring:
- Audience reviews and feedback
- Project details for visibility among festival attendees and potential buyers
- The page will remain accessible for one month after the festival and may be extended.
Selected and awarded films and screenplays may be offered follow-up support in the form of festival strategy guidance, audience analysis reports, and curated VOD outreach opportunities through the Live Screenings Network team.
37 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lia Karapetyan

    thank you for including my film at the festival and the best film prize! Communication with the festival team was excellent.

    July 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Lia!

    It was an absolute honor to host you and celebrate your wonderful film PLANKTON PLAYED WITH JAZZMEN at our festival.
    Huge congratulations again on winning the Best Comedy Film prize! Our jury and audience absolutely fell in love with your witty, sharp, and deeply relatable take on the white-collar midlife crisis. You brought so much unique humor and heart all the way from Armenia.
    We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the communication with our team.

    Wishing you endless success with your brilliant work, and we can’t wait to see your next projects!

    The LSIFF Team

  • Jan Zbořil

    An excellent festival. I'd especially like to commend the festival organizers for their fair and professional approach. Helpfulness, creativity, and a friendly atmosphere are what truly define this film festival. Thanks :)

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Jan!

    It was an absolute pleasure having you and your gripping psychological thriller Paranoia as part of our festival.
    Our team was deeply impressed by how masterfully you built the tension around Filip's story.
    We always strive to maintain a fair, creative, and welcoming environment for indie filmmakers, and knowing you felt that means everything to us.

    Best of luck with the project's continued journey, and we truly hope to see your future work!

    The LSIFF Team

  • Neel Chowdhury

    The 'Live Screening International Film Festival' was an excellent experience from the start, the submission of my Feature script 'Brother Zero,' to the end, being told by the organisers that 'Broter Zero' won the top prize in its category. The communication was prompt and enthusiastic and the technical requirements were clearly stated and fairly easy to fulfill. And from what I could see of the highly engaged readers of 'Brother Zero' amongst the Festival attendees, everyone seems to have enjoyed the experience and had a lot of fun. Definitely worth it!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Neel, thank you so much for this fantastic review!

    We are absolutely thrilled that you had such a great experience with us, from your initial submission all the way to your well-deserved win for Best Screenplay by a First-Time Writer.

    It was a true pleasure to share "Brother Zero" with our attendees. Your mature, high-stakes geopolitical thriller definitely kept our readers highly engaged and on the edge of their seats!

    Thank you for your kind words regarding our communication and organization; our team works hard to make the process as seamless and enjoyable as possible. We are incredibly proud to have had you and your brilliant script as part of our 9th edition!

    The LSIFF Team

  • Lucas Perez Pernich

    A wonderful experience from start to finish. From the very first email, the team (Pavel, Vladimer, and everyone involved) was warm, professional, and genuinely attentive. Every question was answered clearly and promptly, and the whole process felt organized and thoughtful. The digital screening format worked smoothly, and it was exciting to follow the audience feedback in real time. FATHER FOR HIRE ended up winning Best Comedy Film, which made the whole journey even more special. Highly recommend this festival to any independent filmmaker looking for a serious yet human experience. Warm regards from Argentina!

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Lucas, thank you so much for this incredibly heartwarming review!

    We are deeply touched by your kind words about our team and our communication. Striving to provide a "serious yet human experience" is at the very core of our mission, and it means the absolute world to us to know we achieved that for you.

    We are thrilled that you enjoyed the digital screening format and the real-time feedback process. "Father for Hire" was an absolute delight, bringing so much joy and laughter to our audience, and its Best Comedy Film win was completely well-deserved.

    Thank you for trusting us with your wonderful film, and we are sending our warmest regards right back to you in Argentina!

    The LSIFF Team

  • John Bebout

    I am honored to have been part of the 'Live Screening International Film Festival.' Your team extended nothing but warmth and enthusiasm, making the entire experience both educational and enjoyable. And the clear communication and materials you provided ensured that I always felt well-informed and connected.

    Winning the Best Screenplay Award for 'Till the Sun Grows Cold' is a remarkable accomplishment, made especially memorable by your team. The 'Live Screenings International Film Festival' is a recommended platform for both writers and film makers.

    Thank you again. -John W. Bebout

    June 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear John, thank you so much for this wonderful and uplifting review!

    It was an absolute honor to read and showcase your gripping, meticulously researched screenplay, "Till the Sun Grows Cold".

    We are thrilled to hear that our communication and materials kept you feeling connected and informed throughout the process. Providing a warm, supportive, and educational environment for our independent writers and filmmakers is exactly what we strive for, and your kind words mean the world to our team.

    Winning Best Screenplay is indeed a remarkable accomplishment, and your award is completely well-deserved!

    Thank you for your high recommendation, your trust, and for being such a fantastic part of our 9th edition!

    The LSIFF Team