Oxford International Film Festival is now taking submissions for the 2023 edition.
OXIFF is a BIFA qualifying event, designed to be an intimate, boutique and eloquent filmmaker festival of discovery where film enthusiasts can get first hand insights from directors, writers, actors and producers from the premiering films, a style which blends well with the beautiful city of Oxford.
After the rescheduled hybrid 2020 and 2021 online event the festival presents its new platform of an exciting snowy winter boutique festival in 2022 and now looks to build on this boutique offering into 2023.
The 2023 edition will once again be screened in person with filmmakers being invited to attend and take part in pre and post-screening Q&A’s and networking events.
OXIFF prides itself on being a personable and honest, welcoming event that shines a light on true independent film. OXIFF is an opportunity for indie filmmakers to be discovered and showcase their work with a chance to share their stories with the public. We look to provide a platform in which a filmmaker can get their work seen and their cinematic voices heard.
In its first eight years all the films selected for OXIFF came through open submissions. This is a strict policy that the organisers will continue with for the ninth festival. For an idea of what to expect in 2023 please take a look at our photographs and videos both on FilmFreeway and our website of past editions where special guests have included Rosamund Pike, Timothy Spall, Kate Beckinsale, Woody Harrelson and Billy Bob Thornton to name a few.
OXIFF2020 and 2021 events marked the sixth and seventh editions of the festival and screened a selection of films from wide array of genres across feature and short films, documentary films, animations, experimental films and music videos.
The 2020 hybrid opened at The Ultimate Picture Palace with a selection of thirteen UK Shorts, all made by some of the UK’s up and coming filmmaking talents. Highlights of the session included SORCERESS, starring Game of Thrones Nathalie Emmanuel, SHE, directed by Control screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh, ISABEL, starring Iain Glenn (Game of Thrones) and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) and GAME OVER with Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners) and Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones, Killing Eve).
Films screened at the Odeon, George Street included British comedy LOVE TYPE D, about a woman who finds she has a ‘loser in love’ gene, INTERNATIONAL FALLS, about a small town Mum who dreams of becoming a comedienne that stars Rachael Harris (The Hangover) and Rob Huebel (Transparent) , revenge thriller #LIKE starring Marc Menchaca (Ozark) and Sarah Rich (Orange is the New Black) and the Susan Sarandon featuring documentary AMERICAN MIRROR: INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY.
Online screenings included a session of short films, music documentaries A SOUL JOURNEY and DARRYL JONES: IN THE BLOOD and a narrative feature NINA OF THE WOODS.
"Thank you to the entire OXIFF crew. I feel extremely honored to receive this recognition for New York city Sketchbook." Willy Hartland, Director of Film of the Festival New York City Sketchbook
"Brilliantly organised and curated with great films, lovely people, and an amazing buzz around the place. And the Picturehouse cinema really made us feel at home. It was a great platform for our film as there had been a lot of hard work put into getting audiences in and press coverage before and during the festival, which so many festivals don't seem to do after the initial scheduling etc. They really made it feel like you were part of a bigger thing, not just a screening and a chat and all the filmmakers mingled and have stayed in touch after the festival. Definitely worth the money!" Matt Butler Director of Two Down
"A joy of a festival: good programming (the shorts in particular were top-notch), very present and engaged organizers, qualified industry judges, friendly atmosphere, good q+as, and ample opportunity to meet and hang out with fellow filmmakers, it's shocking that this festival was only in its first year. In time, as the festival returns to Oxford in subsequent years, its presence in the city will become more established in the city and turnout will expand. As it stands, this fest is 100% worth the entry fee. Try to get there in person, you won't regret it." Nicholas Gray Director of The Paper Store
"Great festival especially for its first year. The quality of the films was high and it was great that so many of the filmmakers were there. The organisers were very friendly and present at the festival. Overall - lots of wonderful people and films!" Miranda Howard Williams Director of Albert
The awards will be chosen by a jury made up of respected industry professionals. The Award categories are:
Best Feature film
Best international short film
Best UK short film
Best documentary Feature
Best documentary Short
Best Experimental
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best un-commissioned screenplay
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Film of the Festival