Lights, Camera, Gauda! Festival takes place every year in Gouda, Netherlands and has a goal to attract interest to international directors. This festival is aimed to give any film director from all across the world a stage to demonstrate their projects. Directors from all parts of the planet are welcome to take part in the festival!

The festival provides not just a venue where creators can showcase their work, but aims to unite filmmakers from around the globe in our beautiful city, celebrating national traditions to show that we’re known not only for cheese, but possess a rich cultural heritage, presenting films about diverse life experiences.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Best Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Animation Feature
Best Animation Short
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror/Thriller/Sci-FiBest Action/Crime
Best Fantasy
Best Experimental
Best DirectorBest
First Time Director
Best Web Series/ TV Pilot
Best Music Video
Best Original Screenplay
Best ActorBest Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Scenography
Best Original Score
Best Visual Effects
Best Poster
Most Emotional Work
Most Inspiring Work
Best Script Feature Film
Best Script Short Film

Rules & Terms

No Genre Restriction: All styles and themes are accepted.
No Production Year Limitation.
Language Acceptance:
-Films and scripts are allowed in different languages, but must have English subtitles.
Submission Fees:
-Non-refundable and non-reimbursable.
Usage Rights:
-Participants declare they hold all necessary usage rights for their submitted film.
-The festival is not responsible for any legal actions arising from rights infringement.
-Participants agree to receive marketing newsletters and discounts related to film festivals.
Screening Fee:
-The festival does not pay a screening fee.
Organizer Rights:
-Organizers reserve the right to change, cancel, or reschedule dates, venue, awards, and categories without consent.
-The festival may include new categories at its discretion.
Promotion of Work:
-The goal is to promote participants' work.
-Participants agree to allow the festival to send press releases about their projects to distributors and festivals for promotional purposes.
Season Selection and Screenings:
-As a season selection festival, screenings are done through the FilmFreeway project.
-Participants are encouraged to keep their projects updated.
-Winners of main categories are screened at the event.
For any questions or concerns, please email us. We will respond as soon as possible.