OXIFF is excited to announce ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’ 4th International Film festival.

OXFORD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

OXIFF is designed to be an intimate and eloquent filmmaker festival 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. This was certainly the case in 2018 when the festival was able to expand to both the Curzon and The Ultimate Picture Palace, allowing filmmakers and guests the chance to explore the historical city.

In its first three years all the films selected for OXIFF came through open submissions. This is a strict policy that the organisers will continue with for the fourth festival.

"Our experience at the OXIFF could not have been better! Your selection of eclectic films from around the world was superb." Joseph Stillman, Director of Best Documentary Citizen Clark...A Life of Principle.

On Friday 11th May 2018 the Oxford International Film Festival, celebrated its third edition with an opening night screening of feature film Hippopotamus at the Curzon and across the city at The Ultimate Picture Palace, which played host to the Opening Night Shorts programme and saw a full house enjoy an eclectic mix of short films.

The boutique festival then kicked on over Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th, with premieres and filmmaker attendance galore, which included an appearance by Oscar nominated and Oxford University alumnus Rosamund Pike, who played the lead role in short film The Human Voice. Pike, who took home the Best Actress award for her performance, took part in an audience Q&A alongside fellow filmmakers.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at OXIFF this year, exploring the city and engaging in conversations with wonderfully wise and insightful individuals, who have inspired me and collaborated with their knowledge." Benjamin Jacob Smith, Director of Edgar I Am

OXIFF is a sister festival to the highly successful Manchester Film Festival, and OXIFF and MANIFF’s Director of Operations Neil Jeram-Croft said - “this weekend has been amazing; the quality of the films is a credit to the filmmakers and all involved. Huge thanks to the Curzon, The Ultimate Picture Palace and our incredible volunteers who have made this a weekend one to remember, we can't wait to get back next year and make OXIFF2019 even bigger”.

"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 exclusive spire awards will be chosen by a jury made up of respected industry professionals. The Spire award categories are:

Best international Feature
Best UK Film
Best international short film
Best UK short film
Best documentary Feature
Best documentary Short
Best Experimental
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best Music Video
Best production
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Edit
Best Score
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Staff Choice
Film of the Festival- ‘Spire of Dreams award’

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 4th Oxford International Film Festival will take place from to 10th to the 12th May 2019.

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

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2017.
- 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 and they may not have been screened publicly online. 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, they may have screened at other Festivals and/or online.

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 13th of March 2019 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 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.

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 2019 festival (May 10th - 12th 2019). 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 2019 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2019 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify OXIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
17 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alessio Miccoli

    A real film festival GEM - that’s well attended for both screenings and after parties. Great opportunities for networking with fellow film creators with a few celebrity appearances thrown in for good measure. Communications with the OXIFF team was timely and clear. Overall a fantastic Festival to get involved in, highly recommend submitting.

    May 2018
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  • Peter Davies

    Made a weekend at Oxford with this film festival. Had a great time. Great numbers at the screenings, and some celebrity appearances at the awards was nice as well! I was allocated a volunteer to recommend things around town to check out and to help with getting us to and from venues - it was a fantastic all round experience, would highly recommend.

    May 2018
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  • Giacomo Vagni

    A great film festival. Very well organised.
    I enjoyed presenting my short film there.
    The venue was really nice and the people were really friendly and interesting.

    May 2018
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  • Paul Cooke

    It was great to have CATCH screened at a brilliant cinema in an iconic city. The audience was very engaged and the organisers very helpful and friendly. It's only a shame I couldn't stay for longer. I look forward to seeing how OXIFF grows and develops in the future.
    - Dom Rees-Roberts, CATCH Co-Director

    May 2017
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  • Paul Griffin

    It was a real pleasure to have Balancé screened at Oxford. Only sorry we could not attend.

    May 2017
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