MANSFIELD TOWN FILM FESTIVAL 2026 ENTRY PROCEDURE
Submissions MUST use FilmFreeway and MUST have been completed after 1st January 2024.
Submissions MUST include an on-screen viewer for selection purposes.
Filmmakers agree that if selected, their films will be showcased during our main festival September 25 - 27 2026 at Mansfield Palace Theatre.
As well as during our yearly 'MTFF Presents' season taking place after the festival, in order to increase accessibility to the arts within priority neighbourhoods in around the Mansfield district.
Filmmakers will be notified in advance if we would like to screen their film at a community cinema event, and will only do so with express permission from the filmmaker.
Filmmakers also give consent for us to sign you up to our monthly newsletter and mailing list so we are able to stay in touch and keep you updated on all things MTFF.
We DO NOT accept films made either partially or fully with generative AI. If you submit a film that is later found to be made either partially or fully with generative AI, MTFF reserves the right to retain the submission fee.
Films entered into the Working Class Voices, LGBTQIA+ Voices, Women's Voices, Disabled/Neurodiverse Voices, UK Narrative Shorts, UK Documentary Shorts, UK Animated Shorts, and International Shorts categories MUST BE NO LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES.
Films entered into the UK Student category MUST BE NO LONGER THAN 15 MINUTES.
Films entered into the Music Video category MUST BE NO LONGER THAN 6 MINUTES.
VR Shorts MUST BE ABLE to be viewed both in VR or the equivalent platform.
The films accepted into the Festival are required to provide for screening .MOV or MP4 digital files. Delivery costs of the screening media must be borne by the applicant or forwarding festival. Screening material will not be returned.
Payment is via FilmFreeway.
We ask that award winners who live outside of the UK cover the costs of tracked shipping to ensure their award reaches them in a safe and timely manner.
If selected the screening copy should be with the festival AT LEAST two weeks before the start of the festival.
The final deadline is 30th June 2026. On receipt of the submission, the entrant will receive an email confirmation and a reference number from FilmFreeway that should be quoted on all future correspondence. Selection notification to all applicants will be as early as possible but at the latest several weeks before the festival.
Screening material should be supplied as soon as selection to the festival has been received, to allow time to check the technical quality. By submitting your film, you are giving permission for Mansfield Town Film Festival to screen your film without any charge or fee during the festival and subsequent screenings organised by the Mansfield Town Film Festival.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
If your film identifies with either; WORKING CLASS VOICES, LGBTQIA+ VOICES, or WOMEN’S VOICES, DISABLED/NEURODIVERSE VOICES, please submit it in the respective category no matter the genre of film.
If your film DOES NOT identify with any of our specialist diversity categories, please submit to the respective UK category if the film has been produced in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
If the film has been produced OUTSIDE OF the UK, please submit to INTERNATIONAL SHORTS.
Submission Categories;
Working Class Voices
“One of the founding principles of MTFF is to hold a spotlight to working class filmmakers from across the globe, by submitting your film to this category, you acknowledge that your project tells either a story rooted within the working class experience, or has been produced by a creative team from a working class background.”
Local Voices
"Short films of any genre, up to 30 minutes in length, made by filmmakers based in Mansfield, Ashfield, or the wider Nottinghamshire area. This category celebrates homegrown talent and stories that reflect the people, places, and spirit of our local communities."
LGBTQIA+ Voices
“One of the founding principles of MTFF is to hold a spotlight to LGBTQIA+ filmmakers from across the globe, by submitting your film to this category, you acknowledge that your project tells either a story rooted within the LGBTQIA+ experience, or has been produced by a creative team who identify with this initialism.”
Women’s Voices
“One of the founding principles of MTFF is to hold a spotlight to female filmmakers from across the globe, by submitting your film to this category, you acknowledge that your project tells either a story rooted within the female experience, or has been produced by a female lead creative team.”
Disabled/Neurodiverse Voices
“One of the founding principles of MTFF is to hold a spotlight to disabled and Neurodiverse filmmakers from across the globe, by submitting your film to this category, you acknowledge that your project tells either a story rooted within the this experience, or has been produced by a disabled or Neurodiverse lead creative team.”
UK Narrative Shorts
“Narrative short films, made in the UK, of any genre, up to 30 minutes in length.”
UK Documentary Shorts
“Documentary short films, made in the UK, of any genre, up to 30 minutes in length.”
UK Animated Shorts
“Animated short films, made in the UK, of any genre, up to 30 minutes in length.”
UK Student Shorts
“Narrative Short Films, Documentaries, Music Videos, and Animations, made in the UK, produced by a current student studying the craft, from any genre, up to 15 minutes in length.”
International Shorts
“Narrative Short Films, Documentaries, Music Videos, and Animations, made outside of the UK, from any genre, up to 30 minutes in length.”
Music Videos
“Music Videos, made anywhere in the world, of any genre, up to 6 minutes in length.”
VR Shorts
"Immersive short films created using virtual or 360° technology, up to 15 minutes in length. This category showcases innovative storytelling and new creative approaches in virtual reality, pushing the boundaries of how audiences experience film."
Mansfield Film Awards;
Our awards ceremony will be hosted on the evening of the final day of the festival, the ceremony will be held at Mansfield Palace Theatre, and will be hosted by a local comedian. Awards will be presented by members of our festival jury, as well as local personalities, and industry professionals.
Our awards jury will be updated with bios as new members join.
Those nominated for a Mansfield Film Award will receive notification alongside notification of official selection to the festival.
Awards will be decided in the following categories;
Working Class Voices Award
LGBTQIA+ Voices Award
Women's Voices Award
Disabled/Neurodiverse Voices
Local Voices Award
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animated Short
Best Student Short
Best International Short
Best Music Video
Best VR Short
As well as a ‘best in category’ award, our supplemental craft specific awards, listed below, will be nominated and chosen out of the films nominated in the primary ‘best in category’ selection.
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Performance In A Leading Role
The 'Heart Of Mansfield Award', is a prize awarded to the best in the festival which personifies our founding principles, and not only moves our jury, but our live audiences too, and could be awarded to ANY nominated film.
Fee Waiver Policy
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Financial Hardship: Filmmakers who can demonstrate significant financial constraints that impede their ability to pay submission fees.
2. Underrepresented Communities: Filmmakers who identify as part of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to: Working-class individuals, LGBTQIA+ community members, female filmmakers, Neurodiverse or disabled individuals, regional British filmmakers, student filmmakers, debut or emerging filmmakers.
Application Process
1. Submission of Request: Eligible filmmakers should submit a fee waiver request via email to jay@mansfieldtownfilmfestival.com the request should include: A brief introduction of the filmmaker and their project, statement detailing the reason for the fee waiver request, including any relevant financial hardships or underrepresented status, Any supporting documentation that may strengthen the request
2. Review Process: The MTFF programming team will review each request on a case-by-case basis. Factors considered will include: the filmmaker’s demonstrated need, alignment with MTFF’s mission to promote diverse voices, the quality and relevance of the submitted project.
3. Notification: Applicants will be notified of the team’s decision as soon as possible, with an aim of getting back to filmmakers within 14 working days of their request submission.
Important Considerations
Limited Availability: Fee waivers are limited and granted at the discretion of the MTFF programming team.
Submission Deadlines: Fee waiver requests should be submitted well in advance of the festival’s submission deadlines to allow adequate time for review.
No Guarantee of Selection: Receiving a fee waiver does not guarantee acceptance into the festival program. All submissions will undergo the same rigorous selection process.
MANSFIELD TOWN FILM FESTIVAL IS OPERATED BY MANSFIELD TOWN FILM FESTIVAL CIO (MTFF) WHOM IS THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY. MTFF RESERVES THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME TO WITHDRAW, POSTPONE, CANCEL OR MAKE ANY ALTERATION TO (OR PART TO) THE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OR FESTIVAL PROGRAMME WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION. Postal Address: MANSFIELD TOWN FILM FESTIVAL CIO, 38 Jenson Way, Sherwood, Nottingham, NG5 1QP. United Kingdom. Telephone: 07519 606413, email: jay@mansfieldtownfilmfestival.com, web address: www.mansfieldtownfilmfestival.com. MTFF is operated by Mansfield Town Film Festival CIO.
