Puppet Place 48 - 2026

Please read the following before registering.
If your film does NOT meet this criteria then it might not be eligible for judging or to be shown during the Festival!

The Rules (updated 2026)

The primary focus of your film must be physical puppetry.

Individuals/teams must register for the Film Challenge in advance.

All films entered must be original and made over the film challenge weekend 2026
(TIPA participants see below)

Entries must include the film challenge prompts which will follow the format of – Action – Item – Theme – These will be announced at 7pm (BST) on Friday 11th September 2026. (TIPA participants see below)

All films must include a TITLE CARD and CREDITS.

All films must state in text format “Made for the 2026 Puppet Place 48” somewhere in the film.
Films that do not state this will be disqualified.

Maximum film length is 3 minutes.
This time INCLUDES TITLE CARD and CREDITS.

You must use royalty free or original music. We can’t play films with copyrighted music. Credit all music and sounds used.

The use of premade puppets is allowed, but we do encourage original builds.

Films must still be submitted though Filmfreeway by the deadline of 7pm (BST) on Sunday 13th September 2026.

Age Awards (Under 15s and 16-21) – To qualify at least one team member must be of the appropriate age and they must play a big part of the creative process. This must be described in submission. These are extra awards to highlight these age groups.

British Puppet Guild Category – To qualify, at least one member of the team must be a member of the British Puppet Guild.

BrUNIMA - You must be a BrUNIMA Member of be submitting a film made outside of Britain (international award)

Best of Bristol – To qualify, at least one member of your team must have a BS or Bristol based postcode.
All films submitted into sub-categories will be eligible for the over all awards (ie First Place)

You must read all Rules, Terms and Conditions and submission process information in advance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Inclusive Puppetry Alliance Category (TIPA) Rules

TIPA is our access category for participants with chronic illness or disability that prevents them from taking part in the traditional Puppet Place 48.

The primary focus of your film must be physical puppetry.

Individuals/teams must register for the TIPA Category in advance. Seperat form from the traditional challenge.

The TIPA Category opens on the 13th August at 19:00 (BST). If you register for TIPA after the 14th Aug, you will not be given additional time to make your film.

Late registration for TIPA will be open till the 28th August 2026.

Entries must include the Film Challenge prompts which will follow the format of – Action – Item – Theme. These will be confirmed at 7pm (BST) 13th August 2026.

The PROMPTS must remain conferential to participants only.

All films must include a TITLE CARD and CREDITS.

All films must state in text format “Made for the 2026 Puppet Place 48” somewhere in the film.
Films that do not state this will be disqualified.

Maximum film length is 3 minutes. This time INCLUDES TITLE CARD and CREDITS.

You must use royalty free or original music. We can’t play films with copyrighted music. Credit all music and sounds used.

The use of premade puppets is allowed, but we do encourage original builds.

Films must still be submitted though Filmfreeway by the deadline of 7pm (BST) on Sunday 13th September 2025.

You must read and accept these Rules, Terms and Conditions and the submission process ahead of participation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terms & Conditions
By Submitting a film to the Bristol 48h Puppet Film Challenge you agree to the following Terms & Conditions:

You give Puppet Place the right to use your submitted film in all future screenings,
promotion/advertising/marketing and fundraising events related to the Puppet Place 48 and Puppet Place in general.

If films are mis-submitted on FilmFreeway, i.e. the wrong version of the film is uploaded, a film was not submitted to a sub category, ect. It is the participants responsibility to contact the organisers before the submission deadline. Mis-submitted film will need to be resubmitted correctly in order to qualify.

By submitting a film you agree and adhere to the main Film Challenge Rules (see above). Films that do not comply with the rules, will be disqualified and not shown.

Puppet Place/The Bristol 48h Puppet Film Challenge has the right to refuse any film if it is deemed inappropriate (see below).

The Film Challenge will not tolerate any form of online or in person hate, abuse, harassment and mistreatment of its participants, viewers and organisers. If anyone goes against our inclusive and supportive ethos then that person/film/group will be disqualified from the Film Challenge and blocked from online platforms and in person venues. Be nice folks!