Welcome to the Nottingham International Microfilm Festival! An introduction to, and celebration of, Microfilm; the digital, online film industry sector.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO 26 JANUARY 2018

Highlights of our 3rd Edition in March 2018!:

VR/Immersive Technologies focus

New film categories and awards

National and international experts

Exploring film creation, content development, and commissioning
Workshops

VR trade expo

VR awards

Online screenings ahead of the event to select the Audience Choice awards

Festival venue screenings as well

Added bonuses and early bird offers!

Entering a submission to NIM before 31st October 2017 also offers the opportunity to be entered into the Ningbo International Microfilm Festival, held in Ningbo, China in November 2017. Filmmakers have the right of refusal in being entered into this festival and will be contacted separately should their films be selected by the judges.

Submissions to NIM also offers the opportunity for films to be put forward for The Short Film Show, a TV show on Showcase TV Sky Channel 212 showcasing the best of international short form films in a regular weekly TV show. Filmmakers have the right of refusal in being entered into this process and will be contacted separately should they be selected by the judges.

Offer of commercial return for films selected for online screenings on both YouTube and Youku channels

What is ‘Microfilm’?

Microfilm is a term which the Chinese have developed to incorporate the digital, online content that can be produced on very low budgets in extremely short turnaround time frame as well as innovative films that encourage audience interaction. Microfilms can also include online shorts, catch up TV, view-on-demand, music videos and branded entertainment; all short format screen content that is findable and shareable in the online world that now exists. Such content generally contains an element of promotion, whether that be through branding, product placement or just the promotion of an idea or the director themselves.

As microfilms are already established as a sector of filmmaking in China we are looking to encourage this emerging sector to engage with wider international audiences, businesses and film industry professionals, developing relationships between businesses and filmmakers and encouraging new collaborations, projects and funding for filmmaking.
Online Screening Details:
In order to explore this, we will be screening all officially selected films on our YouTube and Youku (Chinese platform) channel in the 2 weeks prior to the festival, enabling us to promote and discuss the viral consumption of the films during the event. This will also enable us to monitor the data within the channels and determine the audience choice awards. This will be offered alongside the official Jury Selection category awards, chosen by a jury of industry professionals.

Categories and awards:
This year's festival introduced new categories:

Best Fiction / Drama
Best Factual / Documentary
Best Animation & CGI
Best Fantasy / Family
Best Horror / Sci-fi
Best Comedy
Best Student Film or under 21
Best Music Video
Best Short Script / Narrative
Best VR Film

Best Ensemble Cast
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Dialogue
Best Sound
Best production design
Best Editing
Best costume / Wardrobe
Best Original Content
Best Branded Content
Best Actor
Best Actress

Featured awards:


Best Extreme Short Under 1:30 Min
Best Standard Short Under 25 Min
Best Shot under 45 Min

For further information about the festival including programme updates and up to date news check out our submissions site: http://www.nimfestival.com/

Rules & Terms

Nottingham Screen Partnership:
Nottingham International Microfilm Festival 2017- 8-10 March 2018
Film Submissions Terms and Conditions
Eligibility and Rules:

1. Nottingham International Microfilm Festival (NIM Festival) is open at a regular charge of $7.66 to freelance filmmakers of any age. An early bird discount is available for all submissions before 15th October 2017 of $2.50. Late submissions after 15th December 2017 are charged at $10. Students who submit will receive a 50% discount to entry to all festival screenings and events upon presentation of a FilmFreeway receipt and valid student card. Submissions close on the 31st December 2017 at midnight.

2. All entries must meet the stated duration for their category:
CATEGORY LENGTH DETAILS All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries without subtitles, or supplementary printed translations, will, unfortunately, be disqualified.

3. In order to be accepted into and to become a participant of the NIM Festival, all entrants are required to sign up to these terms & conditions of the competition.

5. Failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in disqualification and the Nottingham Screen Partnership (NSP) reserves the right to not accept any film it believes is not suitable for the Festival.

4. Awards will be chosen by a panel of judges chosen by the NSP.

6. Entries must be sent via the designated portal on FilmFreeway. Entries will not be accepted by any other method.

7. Entries must be in the form of MP4 with a maximum file size of 1GB. We recommend that you film in HD High Resolution. If you are selected for screening we will require a full HD High-Resolution version of your entry, and will provide details of how to send it. If you are unable to supply this, your entry may be withdrawn.

8. All entrants should provide a synopsis on their portal submission.

9. All entries must be received by end of play on 31st December 2017 . Any entries received after this time will not be considered. NSP cannot be held responsible for ineligible or fraudulent entries; or any lost or late entries, due to the Internet, even where proof of sending can be provided.

10. NSP will contact you as soon as possible after curation of all films submitted and in any event before the Festival date of 8 March 2018 to notify you if your film has been successful for screening at the Festival.

11. Entry does not guarantee inclusion in the NIM Festival programme.

12. Entry into NIM before 31 October 2017 also offers the opportunity to be entered into the International category of the Ningbo International Microfilm Festival. The filmmaker reserves the right of refusal regarding submission to this festival and will be contacted should their film be selected for entry. All terms and conditions, as well as awards relating to this festival, will be distributed to the selected filmmakers during the selection process.

13. Entry into NIM also offers the opportunity for films to be put forward for The Short Film Show, screened on Sky channel 212 The filmmaker reserves the right of refusal regarding submission to the programme and will be contacted should their film be selected for entry. All terms and conditions relating to this TV show will be distributed to the selected filmmakers during the selection process.
Curation and use of film submissions:

14. A nominated panel involving members of the NSP and any specific partner, individuals or organisations decided by the NSP, will curate the NIM Festival entries. The panel’s decision is final and not open to negotiation. No discussion will be entered into about any decisions made.

15. As a participant you;
a. grant NSP rights to use your film and associated material and information for the 2017 NIM Festival;
b. agree to allow NSP use of your name, photographs, images, production stills and excerpts of no more than 10% of the film running time to be used for publicity and other purposes such as archiving, as deemed fit by NSP during and after the NIM Festival, in perpetuity;
c. agree to allow your film(s) to be placed on the Festival’s YouTube channel and other national and international distribution channels deemed appropriate/suitable by the NSP for the months between Festival Editions, on a non-exclusive basis.

16. Should the NSP wish to use a film beyond this period they will seek approval from the film-maker before doing so.
Rights and Indemnity:

17. By entering a film for the NIM Festival you;
a. confirm that you own the copyright to the film, that is it your own original work and that you have in place any necessary approvals or licences to use third party material, and that it does not infringe copyright of any third party rights;
b. agree to indemnify and hold harmless NSP and associated curators, from any claims, losses, damages, costs and liabilities as a result of films submitted to the NIM Festival.

18. NSP reserve the right to cancel the NIM Festival at any stage if we deem this necessary or circumstances arise that are beyond our control.

19. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. You hereby submit to and agree that the sole jurisdiction and venue for any actions that may arise under or in relation to the subject matter hereof shall be the English Courts.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Brian Nestor

    Awesome festival, glad to be selected for it!

    September 2020
  • Ewan Fletcher

    We were really excited to get selected, particularly as this was our first UK festival. A great festival where we were in the company of loads of other quality short films. Well worth the entry fee!

    January 2019
  • Narelle Nash

    While I was pleased and grateful to have my film 'The Actor' included in NIM Festival, I'm afraid they lose marks on communication. Back in Australia I was following the festival on facebook and keen to hear how the event went and sent messages and emails asking for a winners list, yet it took them about a week to announce. Other festivals manage to publish within at least 48 hrs. When I was finally sent an email, I was told I would receive a certificate for having participated, that was back in March and multiple emails to follow up on this have gone unanswered and the certificate undelivered.
    More consideration/respect for the filmmakers whose films make your festival, is needed.

    September 2018
  • Good communication and organisation. Will be submitting future work.

    June 2018
  • Alasdair Mackay

    The International Microfilm Festival stood out because of the sheer depth of quality of all the entrants. It was a privilege to be selected and a privilege to win an award. Everyone was welcoming and there were lots of opportunities to network at the industry talks and after the awards ceremony itself. Great festival.

    April 2018