We are non-elitist and non-political, and welcome entries from all filmmakers around the globe irrespective of age or experience. Our aim is to provide a platform for independent filmmakers to promote their work, whilst also bringing independent film and a cinema experience to rural communities.

WHY CHOOSE US?

There are many perks to submitting your project to the 'Lightning Awards', which include: -

Automatic selection (for all complete submissions).

A guarantee that your project will be viewed and judged by an international panel of industry professionals from the world of film and television, from both in front and behind the camera, with a wealth of connections to numerous main-stream television networks, distributors and media outlets.

The potential for publicity through interviews on established genre-specific YouTube channels, podcasts, and magazines.

The potential for reviews to be published in a range of media forms with a range of media outlets, including British national newspapers.

A non-elitist approach which will offer constructive feedback to every submission.

Discount on submission for FilmFreeway Gold members.

The creators of the most exceptional submissions may be invited to join the judging panel for the next season of the festival, offering a potential opportunity to gain experience behind the scenes of the judging process and live film screenings.

A great opportunity to network with industry professionals and have your project catch the eyes of international distributors.

SUBMISSIONS ENTERED INTO ONE SINGLE CATEGORY WHICH THE JUDGING PANEL DEEM TO FIT IN OTHER CATEGORIES MAY BE MOVED INTO ANOTHER CATEGORY OR JUDGED IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE DO NOT SCREEN EVERY OFFICIAL SELECTION AT THE LIVE EVENT.

Short submissions are less than 45 minutes in duration; feature submissions are more than 45 minutes in duration.

Awards & Prizes

At the end of festival season full listings of all award winners will be published on our website and social media.

Framed certificates will be presented to winning filmmakers at the live event.

The 'Judge's Award for Best of Show' will be presented to the submission which our jury deem to be the overall best entrant in the whole festival season.

There will also be an 'Audience Choice Award' which attendees of the live event will be able to vote for in-person.

Rules & Terms

Entrants are responsible for ensuring that any material submitted is appropriately licensed for use and public screening.

All films submitted must be in English or have English subtitles included.

We will accept links to online versions of your film. You may enter a password protected link for Vimeo, or an unlisted/private link for YouTube when completing the submission form via FilmFreeway. Links must remain active for the duration of the festival.

All entrants must consent to having their work downloaded.

All films which are officially selected will be scored by the judging panel, but not all selections are guaranteed to be screened at the live event.

We reserve the right to disqualify a submission, without refund of any kind, if eligibility requirements are not met including if eligibility status changes post-submission.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST: -

Completed submission form, submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.

For best chance of selection entrants should aim to include a poster for their film, an electronic press kit, and a trailer (where possible); as well as a link to a secured online screener for your film that is accessible for the duration of the festival.

Ensure that entry fees are paid; these are non-refundable.
5 Reviews
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  • Kyle Cheatley

    Honoured to have won the best screenplay award for my short script 'Full Stop' Looking forward to submitting again in the future!

    May 2026
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  • Allen Brooks

    A huge thank you to everyone at the Lightning Awards for recognizing my work and for hosting such an inspiring and well-organized event. I’m very grateful for the award, for the exposure and I'm proud to be part of this community. I highly recommend Lightning Awards to any filmmaker or artist looking for a festival that truly cares. Thank You! - Allen Brooks

    May 2026
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  • Tayfun Uçar

    We would like to extend our thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful organization. It is an honor for us to receive this recognition. We wish you continued success.

    April 2026
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  • Teekay Adegbenro

    Thanks to the Lighting Award for outstanding work, excellent communication, a very well-organised festival, and a friendly atmosphere created by the organisers.

    April 2026
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  • David Elliott

    Delighted to discover my hit documentary I Forgot to Unsubscribe from a Stock Footage Service was awarded an award for best voiceover. While many people know me as an investigative journalist, I am also a classically trained actor thanks both to the RSC and The Steppenwolf, so to have my voiceover work acknowledged by this festival was, frankly, the summation of twenty years of professional work. I look forward to entering my future documentaries in the future.

    April 2026
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