A cinematic exploration of a shifting place & time.

Margate Film Festival is a project born out of the turbulence of changing cultural landscapes and a love for the chaos of creativity. A journey through the wilderness of the cinema; of art, politics, identity, feminism, music, performance and more.

For our 5th anniversary festival, our vision is clear - to expand the festival and entertain more filmgoers, innovate and inspire our existing and new audiences.

The festival celebrates Margate’s creative DIY culture, as well as it’s rich past and diverse cultural identity. Margate Film Festival opens submissions to the public and invites artists and filmmakers to enter shorts, features and experimental works for consideration in the 2024 festival. A special interest will be paid to artists' films and locally-made works.

Margate Film Festival is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led, grassroots community
organisation.

Rules & Terms

- Film are accepted from all levels of filmmaking, regardless of budget or experience.

- Margate Film Festival is open to international films and filmmakers, but films MUST be submitted with English subtitles if they are in another language.

- Submitting a film does not guarantee its selection at the festival. Our panel of submission viewers retain the right to only watch films partially, should the film not meet the basic standards of the festival. Refunds cannot be made if your film is not selected.

- Margate Film Festival cannot offer feedback on individual film submissions.

- Short films should be under 25 minutes in length, but can be of any style, genre or theme.

- Should your film be selected, you give us permission to screen your film at the festival and any subsequent screening over the next 12 month. Should you wish to withdraw your film from consideration, you must do this before the deadline date.

- Filmmakers must obtain necessary licenses & clearances for their films, Margate Film Festival WILL NOT hold responsibility for any copyright infringement.

- Submitting a film gives us permission to use publicity stills provided and up to 30 seconds of footage for use in Margate Film Festival's marketing and publicity.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Fan Sissoko

    Lovely festival with a quality selection of films and very interesting programme. Could not attend the in-person events. Great communication from the team.

    November 2021
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  • Melissa Collier

    Great festival! Loved the range of films curated and especially enjoyed the archive footage included. We really enjoyed being part of this lovely event. Amazing communication too.

    February 2021
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  • Tasha Williams

    Very honored to have our short film 'Bulldog' screen at this year's Margate Film Festival. Myself and the team were very impressed by the standard of films selected and how well the festival was organised by the team. Really looking forward to next year's festival, and to submitting again in the future.

    December 2020
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  • ANTONY JENKINS

    Highly recommend!!!! Will certainly be submitting again next year!!!

    December 2020
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  • Susan Harrison

    Such a lovely festival! Excellent communication and great programming. It was a pleasure to be involved and also to watch the other films in the festival. Bravo!

    December 2020
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