> #1 visionary film festival in 2018, 2019 and 2020 on FilmFreeway
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London Film Week is a film festival taking place in the very heart of London from 3 — 7 December 2025.

The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms. Projects are accepted from British, European and Worldwide territories.

We work all year round to re-imagine the cinematic experience and explore how art can unite communities. There is no greater satisfaction than delivering a Premium Festival to the audience, to film professionals, and to our partners. Our goal is to meet and exceed everyone’s expectations.

Those who have been honoured at the last three festivals include actors and directors such as Armando Iannucci, Noah Baumbach, Wash Westmoreland, Martin Scorsese, Takashi Miike, Céline Sciamma, Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Yolande Zauberman, Lee Chang-dong, Gilles Lellouche, Mathieu Amalric, Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Guillaume Canet, Cagla Zencirci, Guillaume Giovanetti, Damla Sönmez amongst others.

LFW has a different approach to other festivals, with only a handful of films and artists being presented during the first week of December, in order to put every selected project in the spotlight in the best possible way.

Why London Film Week?
Some of us at LFW have been working for major film festivals over the years and we really wanted to help filmmakers in a different way, to get their films seen by an audience of influencers, to get them signed by the best distributors & producers around and to see them succeed in the film industry. This is your chance to screen in the heart of London! And this is your entry point to the British and European film market.

That's why we've created London Film Week.

We hope to meet you at this major event, jam packed with great films, amazing people and crazy parties!

Official Selection
London Film Week’s Official Selection is divided in different sections:
- a Short Films Competition
- a Feature Films Competition
- Industry Days: a Film Forum and International Co-Productions Meetings
- a Carte Blanche to a guest country

All the details can be found on our website.

So, what's so interesting about LFW? Why are we different?
Well, we make sure every selected project is put in the spotlight in the best possible way.

You aren't one of hundreds of films programmed in general indifference. If you screen at London Film Week, you'll get noticed. The Festival also makes sure all the UK and European distributors and sales agents are made aware about our line-up, maximising your chances of getting picked up. And we are of course inviting many of them during the Festival in order to meet in person.

Lastly, as we're going live in the centre of London we have plenty of networking drinks, luncheons & parties being organised in buzzing West End and in Soho. You'll get access to the best places, just follow us!

Filmmaker Perks
London Film Week invites producers, film directors and leading actors to attend the presentation of their films in London. A certain number of hotel rooms are made available during the event. All selected filmmakers will have free access to the Industry Days organised during LFW. Besides the Q&A sessions to meet the audience, we'll also be hosting daily networking lunches in order for filmmakers to meet with film industry guests.

Do not hesitate to visit our website or to get in touch should you have any questions about us.

Entry into the Festival guarantees all the Films/Projects to be In Competition and therefore to be nominated for the following Awards:

- Short Films: Best Short, Jury Prize, Audience Award
- Feature Films: Best Film, Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Acting (features both male and female nominees), Best Screenplay, Audience Award

1. London Film Week is being held in the West End of London (United Kingdom) from Wednesday December 3rd to Sunday December 7th, 2025. The Festival takes place annually during the first half of December.

2. The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms: as art, entertainment and as an industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue.

3. In addition to the sections mentioned in the following paragraphs, the Festival also organises special events such as film workshops and industry days. Lastly, a tribute to a country will complete the official selection in order to get a better understanding of the history of cinema.

4. Official Selection

4.1 Feature Films

An international competition featuring seven feature films, from both UK and world territories. This section will present films that represent the latest aesthetics and expressive trends in international cinema.

In order to submit to this category, the total running time of the film needs to be 45 minutes or over (including credits).

We welcome narrative and documentary feature films at London Film Week.

4.2 Short Films

An international competition featuring seven short films, from both UK and world territories. The aim of this section is to showcase short films demonstrating innovation and creative originality.

In order to submit to this category, the total running time of the film needs to be of less than 45 minutes (including credits).

We welcome narrative, documentary and animation short films at London Film Week, as well as music videos.

4.3 Tribute

London Film Week organises a tribute to major film country as a contribution towards a better understanding of the history of cinema.

5.Film Days

5.1 Film Forum
A Film Forum will be organised during London Film Week. All selected filmmakers will have free access to the workshops organised. The programme will be announced on our website one month prior to the Festival.

5.2 Co-Production Days
Co-Production days will be organised during London Film Week. This is on invitation only, filmmakers/producers will be able to apply by following the submission process. Please visit our website for more information.

6. Juries and Awards

6.1 Feature Films Jury

An International Jury composed of personalities from the world of cinema and culture from various countries, excluding any person involved in any capacity in the production of the invited films or who may have an interest in their distribution, will award the following prizes for the feature films:

+ Best Film
+ Jury Prize, for the film demonstrating the most creative originality
+ Best Director
+ Best Acting (features both male and female nominees)
+ Best Screenplay

6.2 Short Films Jury

An International Jury, composed of personalities from the world of cinema and culture from various countries, excluding any person involved in any capacity in the production of the invited films or who may have an interest in their distribution, will award the following prizes:

+ Best Short
+ Jury Prize

There will be no joint winners.

6.3 Audience Awards
The London Film Week audience will award 'Audience Awards' for each category: Short Film Audience Award, Feature Film Audience Award.

7. Selection of films/projects

7.1 Selection Procedure

Only films that have been registered can be considered for selection.
Film registrations are accepted exclusively online on FilmFreeway.

The Festival Director will be assisted by his staff of programmers, as well as by a group of correspondents and international consultants, each responsible for different geographical areas, in order to select the Projects.
Selection will be made under the following criteria: latest aesthetics and expressive trends in international cinema, films demonstrating innovation and creative originality.

7.2 Submission Deadlines

Following deadlines must be met without exception:
Early Submission Deadline: 06 January 2025
Regular Submission Deadline: 28 July 2025
Late Submission Deadline: 13 October 2025
Extended Submission Deadline: 04 November 2024

All the films have to be registered by November 4h, 2025 via FilmFreeway.

Late submissions can only be made with the express approval of the respective section head.

7.3 Registration Fees

For each film submitted to the selection of the Festival, a registration fee is requested to cover administrative and programming costs. Films will only be considered for selection after the entry fee is received.

Fees are depending on the submission deadline:
Short films: $30 > $55
Feature Films: $40 > $75
Music Videos: $30 > $55

There are special conditions for film schools and film institutes. Please contact the Programme Coordinator on our contact page for further details.

This fee will not be reimbursed under any circumstance.

7.4 Materials to submit

Films are to be submitted in their original version for the selection process. Films in English do not require translation. Films in other languages must be subtitled in English.

All Projects must be uploaded via FilmFreeway Secure Online Screener system or via a Vimeo link entered directly on the online application.

London Film Week reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the applicant, any Project that is not submitted via one of these formats.

7.5. Dialogues/Subtitles

If your project includes non-English dialogues, please ensure all subtitles are hardcoded to your video file (we do not accept a translated list of dialogue on paper).

7.6 Completion

Projects need to be completed from January 1, 2024, to be eligible for consideration for the 2025 edition of the Festival.

7.7 Premiere Status

Short Films do not need to retain any sort of premiere status. Short Films do not forfeit their eligibility for submission to the Festival if they were previously released theatrically or via any home video platform, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or screened at any number of film festivals anywhere in the world.

Feature films need to be Preview screenings in order to be considered. They may have screened in the UK beforehand, but may not be on general lease before LFW25.

Feature films that have been or will be broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet or released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in the UK prior to LFW25 are not eligible.

7.8 Re-submission

Projects that have been submitted for Festival consideration in previous years are eligible for re-submission only if the content of the submitted Project has changed significantly since the previous year in which the Project was submitted.

7.9 Declaration of Rights Upon Submitting a Film

London Film Week (LFW) will only accept the submission of a film if the submitter is the holder of all usage rights to the film necessary for the submission and use of the film within the context of participation in LFW. LFW reserves the right to demand appropriate proof of these rights and to reject the submission upon failure to provide it.

7.10 Notification

All the submitted films will be notified on November 9th 2025 in writing, if their film has been successful or not.

If your film is invited to the official selection of London Film Week, you will be contacted by the Festival in regards to all the logistical and practical details of your screening during the Festival.

8. Selected Films/Projects

The invitation to participate is issued by the Festival Director or the section heads, respectively. Only officially selected films/projects can participate in the London Film Week.

Upon completion of the Festival selection process, LFW will attempt to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Applicant of the Project’s acceptance status. LFW disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for any failure to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct.

9. Participants Obligations

No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its participation has been publicised. During the festival, no participating film may be screened outside the festival venues prior to its official presentation at the festival.

Participation in the festival requires unconditional adherence to all regulations set out in these guidelines.

The Director of London Film Week reserves the right to rule on any cases not provided for in these guidelines.

9.1 Acceptance Form

Selected films will receive an Acceptance Form to be duly completed and returned no later than 10 days after the end of the extended submission deadline. Receipt of the form by the Festival implies the legal acceptance of the invitation by all concerned and will be considered definitive and irrevocable.

9.2 Announcement

The invitation of a Project to participate must remain confidential until the announcement of the programme by London Film Week. Failure to comply will result in its exclusion from the selection. The general scheduling and screening times are the sole responsibility of LFW.

9.3 Screening Formats

Short + Feature Films

Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) in order to be screened at London Film Week, as well as a back-up Blu-ray.

DCP (and backup Blu-Ray) must be received at least 10 days before the start of the Festival. The DCP and backup Blu-Ray must be in original version with English subtitles

Should the film copies not be delivered to the Festival 10 days before the start of the Festival, the relevant screenings will be cancelled.

The Festival reserves the right to refuse any copy that, on advice of the Festival technicians, is considered to be of inadequate quality for public screening.

9.4 DCP Specifications - technical aspects

The Festival will contact selected Projects with the specification information about the systems used by the cinema.

9.5 Catalogue

All the material required for the Festival catalogue (synopses, cast and credits, biography and a complete filmography of the director, photographs of the director, of actors and scenes from the film in b/w and colour, plus a brief director’s comment on the film) must reach the Festival as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days after the end of the extended submission deadline.

9.6 Press Material

The presenters of films participating in the Festival must send the promotional material for distribution to the press and potential buyers (press book, digital images of the film and the director, video material, audio clips, etc.) under separate cover, at their own expense, no later than 10 days after the end of the extended submission deadline, in the quantities that will be requested after the invitation.

9.7 Official Logo

All forms of promotional activity after the presentation of the programme by the London Film Week must mention their participation in the London Film Week, including the official logo of the LFW, as supplied by London Film Week. Films awarded a prize must also state which award was won, in accordance with the official graphic designs predetermined and supplied by LFW.

10. Hospitality

London Film Week invites film directors and leading actors to attend the presentation of their films in London. The festival is not in the position to cover travel expenses, although a certain number of hotel rooms are made available during the event. Our Hospitality department will be in touch accordingly.

11. Shipping

Our Print Traffic Department will be in touch with selected Projects in regards to the DCP shipments.

Copies of films in Blu-ray disc, together with any press materials sent for selection, must be sent by courier or post directly to the address of the Festival.

All shipments from outside the UK must get customs clearance before being imported. For this purpose, all shipments sent by courier from outside the UK must have three copies of proper customs documentation, containing all the necessary information (i.e.: proforma/commercial invoice), attached on the outside of the package together with the courier’s waybill.

11.1 Shipping Insurance

All insurance costs covering the transport of films and press material to and from London Film Week will be at the expense of those presenting the films.

12. Insurance during London Film Week

London Film Week provides insurance coverage for the entire period during which the copies are in the care of the Festival. The insurance value of a film may not exceed the average laboratory costs for a standard copy. Furthermore, all necessary measures will be taken by the Festival to protect the author’s copyright for works entrusted to the Festival, in accordance with the FIAPF dispositions regarding safeguarding against piracy.

13. Usage Rights

The participant declares and guarantees that he/she is the holder of all usage rights necessary for the use of the film in the context of this agreement. The participant affirms that any third parties involved in the production and distribution of the film have agreed, where necessary, to its use in the context of London Film Week as specified in this agreement. The participant guarantees that by using the film in the context of this agreement, no rights of third parties, including persons depicted in the film, are infringed.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • We were very grateful to screen at London Film Week with our short film Roses. The experience felt really personal and thoughtful, from the acceptance email to the Q&A. We were given the chance to see the other films showing at the festival. The venue (The Garden Cinema) is also a great place to see your work shown. Thanks so much London Film Week.

    March 2024
  • Benjamin Worku-Dix

    Really great festival. The team were great at communicating everything and with real friendliness. The venue was really well organised and it was fantastic to see our film and the other short listed films on the big screen with amazing sound. The Q&A was very well managed with insightful and engaging questions. All in all a really wonderful film festival. Thank you!

    December 2023
  • David Allain

    It was fantastic to have the UK premiere of our short film 'Revelations' at London Film Week. My previous short film played at the festival a few years ago, so it was great to return. The team are very hospitable, really care about films and filmmakers, and I enjoyed watching other films within the festival!

    December 2022
  • richard hunter

    An incredible festival. The team are amazing, super inviting, friendly and present. We felt super lucky to be included in such a wild batch of huge and inspiring films. I love the structure of the festival and this year was at the Garden Cinema, which is an amazing discovery! Every one should go.

    December 2022
  • mat sheldon

    London Film Week were so supportive, smart and cool about how they ran the festival and introduced us as filmmakers. Thanks again all — really was important for us.

    December 2022