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 events the festival presented its new showcase of an exciting snowy winter boutique festival in 2022, which was an excellent success that was built on once again in the following editions of the past few years.

The 12th edition will once again take place with filmmakers being invited to take part in pre and post-screening Q&A’s.

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 eleven years all the films selected for OXIFF came through open submissions. This is a strict policy that the organisers will continue with for the 12th festival. For an idea of what to expect in the 12th edition then 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.

OXIFF editions have screened a selection of films from wide array of genres across feature and short films, documentary films, animations, experimental films and music videos.

Our venues that have included the Ultimate Picture Palace and Picturehouse Oxford Pheonix have hosted several showcase screenings with a selection of films, all made by some of the industries up and coming filmmaking talents. Highlights 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 that have 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.

"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

Awards & Prizes

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
Best Experimental
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best un-commissioned screenplay
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Film of the Festival

Rules & Terms

OXIFF is looking for independent feature-length and short films from around the world from any genre.

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

The 12th Oxford International Film Festival will take place from the 4th Dec 2026.

1. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 2nd September 2024.
- Oxford International Film Festival requires at least an Oxfordshire premiere for all films.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- Films must not have received more than 50% of their funding from a studio or broadcaster.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

3. Premiere Status
- Oxford International Film Festival requires at least a Oxfordshire premiere for all films. All films may have screened at other festivals but just not have screened in Oxfordshire.
- There is no Premiere policy for Experimental Films and music videos.

4. Film Classification
All films screened during the Oxford International Film Festival receive a blanket 18 rating unless they already hold a BBFC certification.

5. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for Oxford International Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

6. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from Oxford International Film Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Oxford International Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Oxford International Film Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

7. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

8. Notification
Oxford International Film Festival endeavours to complete all selection procedures by 6th Nov 2026 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

9. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) Feature Films or a video file (.mov or .mp4) Short films, in order to be screened at the Oxford International Film Festival. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.
A selected DCP or video file must be received at Oxford International Film Festival no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date.

10. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Oxford International Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Oxford International Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Oxford International Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

COVID-19 - Due to the unprecedented and ongoing problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to change the festival to a geo-blocked virtual online festival if it is not possible to host the event in a physical venue, and for any other reasons beyond our reasonable control.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN OXIFF:

By submitting to the Oxford International Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of OXIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise the OXIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening. I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the OXIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold OXIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to OXIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2026 (12th edition) festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2026 (12th Edition) festival. I hereby agree to indemnify OXIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
46 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Benjamin Verrall

    We are so chuffed that our film Wavelength was awarded Best Animation! The Q&A was fantastic to be a part of, and OXIFF have been so attentive. Absolutely recommend. Thank you!

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for the kind words, Really was a joy to share your film and insights into the making of a fantastic and poignant animation.

  • Jamie-Lee Carrington

    I had a wonderful experience with the Oxford International Film Festival. Communication throughout was exceptional—clear, responsive, and genuinely supportive of filmmakers. I’m incredibly grateful to Mia and the entire team for all of their hard work, and for the honour of awarding my documentary short The Mudlarks Best Student Film. Their dedication to celebrating independent cinema is truly felt.

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Jamie Lee. Was again an absolute pleasure to have you and the film part of the official selection and your kind words make all the effort worthwhile!

  • Jonathan Lambert

    An excellent festival, great communication and Q&A with our films writer/producer. We were graciously awarded Best International Short which was special. Will hopefully get to attend next time! Highly recommend!

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks Jonathan. Pleasure to showcase the film!

  • Colleen McGuinness

    Our experience with OIFF was fantastic. They were so supportive and wonderful, and we were thrilled to be a part of this festival. I highly recommend submitting to them!!

    June 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Was a real pleasure to have you and your film at the festival, Colleen. We look forward to seeing what you do next! Thank you for the wonderful review. Best wishes, Team OXIFF

  • Bianca O'Neill

    A lovely festival to be part of. Thank you for selecting Yellow Daisy Butterfly, It was an honour to be selected. We had dearly wished we could have attended.

    December 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Absolute pleasure to showcase your work, Bianca! Fantastic film!