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

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 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

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 8th Oxford International Film Festival will take place from the 7th to the 10th Dec 2023.

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

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2021.
- 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 endeavors to complete all selection procedures by 15th Nov 2023 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) or in exceptional cases a video file (.mov or .mp4).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.

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 during the 2023 festival (Dec 7th -10th). 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 2023 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2023 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify OXIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
39 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Luigi Sibona

    Had an amazing time screening our film at OIFF, everyone was super welcoming and responsive. It was great doing interviews and Q&A's and getting to chat to everyone. Will definitely be submitting my next film there.

    December 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Was an absolute pleasure screening your film and having you there, Luigi!

  • Hemisphere Films

    Perfect. Thank you so much!

    May 2022
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  • A Film By Brooke Harris Wolff

    It was an honor to be part of this wonderful festival and have my feature documentary "Eye of the Storm" shown to the festival's great audience.

    December 2021
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  • William Nunez

    Despite the difficult circumstances we find ourselves in this world, OXIFF did a wonderful job putting on a showcase for all the wonderful films they selected. I was very proud to have been included in the festival, and appreciate all their efforts to get my film an audience in the UK! Well done and hope that next year is all in person. The way films are meant to be enjoyed. ATB William

    December 2021
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  • John Behring

    The festival was great even under these difficult circumstances! Well organized and they curated some wonderful films! I look forward to when they are back to in-person attendance.

    December 2021
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