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RAMSGATE INTERNATIONAL FILM & TV FESTIVAL, THE FESTIVAL WHERE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE A MATTER OF FACT!

BIFA ACCREDITED

Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2027, from 18-21 March.

Ramsgate is a historic seaside town on the southeast coast of Kent, famous for its sandy beaches. As one of the great seaside resorts of the 19th century, it features a vibrant harbour—the only Royal Harbour in the UK—and a rich maritime, architectural, and cinema heritage. The Royal Harbour is celebrated annually for its pivotal role in Operation Dynamo, serving as the site where the Little Ships set off for Dunkirk to evacuate thousands of stranded soldiers. This history was immortalised in Christopher Nolan’s 2017 film Dunkirk. Our town is home to the UK’s 2026 Eurovision entry, Sam Battle (aka Look Mum No Computer), who in 2020 opened This Museum is (Not) Obsolete—a home for obsolete and experimental musical technology. There is a certain timelessness about Ramsgate, effortlessly weaving its rich history and creative, independent community spirit into a modern cultural hotspot.

This is the setting for the 10th Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival, celebrating our cultural and cinematic heritage, as well as the filmmakers and special guests who contribute to our programme of films, events and workshops. We welcome films that champion independent voices and innovative storytelling, especially those that engage with our spirit of cultural and maritime heritage.

Screenings will take place in and around Ramsgate, encouraging guests to explore the area in their own time and enjoy its architecture, including Augustus Pugin’s Victorian Gothic House and designs all over Ramsgate, art galleries, underground wartime tunnels, waterside and cafés.

The Vikings, Romans and early Christians all first came to the UK via Ramsgate’s coast. For our modern guests, travelling by high-speed train, London can be reached in 66 minutes, and Paris and Brussels are only 2 hours and 45 minutes away.

Disability and accessibility are important to us, and we take care to ensure that all our screenings and events are accessible. If you are disabled and have problems submitting your film, you can reach out to us at www.ramsgateiftvfest.org.

Our screenings are complemented by an international programme of unique events and seminars, with high profile industry professionals.

We are honoured and proud that our Patron, BAFTA, Globe and Cannes Best Actress Winner and Oscar-nominated Brenda Blethyn, will select the best feature film by a first time Director, and will be joined by Award winning guests. Past Jury members have included Nick Broomfield, Jimmy Akingbola, Andy Mayson (Altitude Films), Dee Anderson, James Payton (Harry Potter saga), Tatyana Yakovleva,...

A beautiful bronze Anchor, the Dominic Grant Award is awarded to the Best Film of the festival, as well as other prizes including the Brenda Blethyn special award for Best First Feature championing emerging filmmakers.

The Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival also features Discussion Panels with prominent industry representatives and special curated programmes promoting international cinema.

ANCHOR AWARDS

Best of Fest (Bronze Statuette) - Dominic Grant Award
Best First Time Feature Director - Brenda Blethyn Award
Best Narrative Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Animation Feature
Best Sustainable Producer
Best Experimental Feature
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Local Film (Kent)
Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animation Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Music Video

Audience Award: Best Feature
Audience Award: Best Short

The Dominic Grant Trophy is a solid bronze Anchor statuette crafted by the local and internationally renowned artist.

RIFTVFEST is also aiming to collaborate with local emerging and established artists, to present each winning filmmaker with an original especially commissioned work of art + more prizes.

RAMSGATE INTERNATIONAL FILM & TV FESTIVAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The 10th Ramsgate Film & TV Festival will take place in Ramsgate from March 18th to 21st 2027.

Films must be submitted via online screener ONLY.
We do not normally accept subsequent cuts or more complete versions of submitted films, therefore changing or updating the originally submitted link is likely to invalidate your submission. However, please communicate with us and we will try to accommodate you if possible.

Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2025
- Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival requires England South East Premiere and preferably UK Premiere, however not mandatory.
Running time:
Feature film: min. 40 min
Short film: max. 39 min

The submitter agrees on behalf of the Film’s Owners that, by submitting the Film to RIFTVFEST, to grant the irrevocable right to view and/or download all digital assets associated with the Film, including, but not limited to, any representation of the Film in the form of video files, still images, assets streamed via the Internet, and/or all other assets and information provided by the Applicant on the application. In the case of online screenings, all digital assets referenced above shall remain active and accessible by the Festival until the conclusion of the Festival on March 21st, 2027. Any dissemination of these materials, incidental or otherwise, shall not be the responsibility of the Festival or any related parties.

Screenings are scheduled at the discretion of RIFTVFEST. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, RIFTVFEST reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. RIFTVFEST 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.

Each filmmaker with a film selected to be screened at the Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival 2027, will receive two festival passes. More passes can be given but it is discretionary. A festival pass gives free access to all screenings and talks throughout the festival (but not special meals)

Screening Package:
Your screening package must arrive by February 10th 2027, NO LATER.

Some venues require a DCP, others a file. Please provide your film to us for screening in format requested:

1. DCP at 24fps or 25fps with the original source material being at least 1080p resolution
2. .mov or .mp4 file at 24fps or 25fps in at least 1080p resolution
3. a link to download a .mov or .mp4 at 24fps or 25fps in at least 1080p resolution

Cost of shipping DCPs and other materials to and from the Festival are the filmmakers' responsibility. Attending filmmakers may collect their DCP or material at the event after the screening.

Once programming has been established, if DCP is required (depending on venue) and the filmmaker does not have a DCP, the Festival can arrange for a DCP to be created from a .mov or .mp4 at 24fps or 25fps in at least 1080p resolution, at the cost of UKP 50 for a short film or UKP120 for a feature film.

An email address to send your digital file will be supplied on acceptance of your film.

If you are providing a DCP, subtitles must be burnt in to the image, not supplied as a separate data stream.

Please do not encrypt your DCP. If you send us one, we will ask for an unencrypted version. If you are unable to supply this, we will be unable to screen your film.

Surround sound audio is much preferred, but not obligatory.

If not already included with your FilmFreeway submission package, please send us high-resolution stills from your film, poster, synopsis, and biographies from key cast and crew, together with a link to a trailer if you have one.

SHIPPING OF FILMS

The address to which you will be asked to ship your film will be provided upon selection.

In case of a DCP hard drive, the full cost of transport, including customs fees and insurance, as well as the return freight, must be borne by the producer or their authorised representatives.

All shipments must be sent prepaid. Shipments sent through international courier services must clearly indicate on their waybill that all costs for duties and taxes are to be billed to the sender.
All shipments from outside the European Single Market must obtain customs clearance before being imported into the United Kingdom. For this purpose, all said shipments must have three copies of proper customs documentation (i.e. commercial invoice) included with the courier waybill, providing all the required information. If you are shipping via international post, please affix a customs declaration label to the outside of the package.

When filling out shipment or customs forms, please assign the package a value that does not exceed 10 euros or 10 dollars and state on the envelope: “No commercial value, for cultural purposes only”.

The sender should inform the festival beforehand by e-mail at info@ramsgateiftvfest.org of the title of the film, the date and means of shipment and the shipment number or airway bill number.

By submitting your film, you grant Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival (RIFTVFEST) the nonexclusive right to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film, as well as your name, photograph, and likeness in connection with any and all publicity and promotional activities regarding RIFTVFEST prior to, during, and/or after the festival.
RIFTVFEST may use images, sounds and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes in all media including the website and may present accepted films at any 2027 RIFTVFEST event.
• Please DO NOT send film prints, master tapes, primary hard drives, DVD Masters or other irreplaceable original media.
• RIFTVFEST is not responsible for any materials that are lost or damaged.
• The entrant shall release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless RIFTVFEST, and its agents, respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, contractors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitations, legal fees).
• The entrant warrants that he/she is the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal right and title thereto have absolute authority to submit the enclosed material to RIFTVFEST.
• By entering, the applicant agrees that all information is true and correct and agrees to all festival rules and guidelines.

Filmmakers accepted and attending the Festival are responsible for travel and all other expenses. Details of local accommodation are available on www.visitramsgate.co.uk. You will also find information on our website www.ramsgateiftvfest.org.

Finally, thank you for submitting your film to Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival 2027 and good luck!

With best wishes,

Sylvie Bolioli (Festival Director)

BY SUBMITTING THEIR FILMS, FILMMAKERS AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOVE

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I was very please to be selected for the short film group at Ramsgate Film & TV Festival. There was a really nice atmosphere and strong community spirit. It was nice to be a part of the Q&A after the films were shown and hear the background stories to the other films. A great event supporting local (and international) filmmakers. Well worth entering and attending. Thank you for including my film!

    May 2026
  • What Do You Want

    Thank you to the Ramsgate International Film & TV Festival for selecting and screening Ljudski – Zbogom. We truly appreciated the warm and engaging atmosphere, as well as the festival’s creative online presence and promotion. Although we couldn’t attend in person, we’re grateful for the experience and hope to join you in the future.

    April 2026
  • Benjamin Verrall

    We were so thrilled to be selected for this years Festival, and a huge thank you for our special commendation for our film, Wavelength. Communication was great and the programme looked fantastic. We even had email after from attendees who enjoyed our film. We wish we could have been there in person, hopefully next year!

    April 2026
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your review Benjamin!

  • DrAx Productions

    A brilliant film festival with a real focus on local filmmakers. Can't wait to see everyone again next year at the 10th Anniversary !
    Dean - DrAx Productions Ltd

    April 2026
  • Such a wonderful festival - a really lovely, warm, friendly vibe and incredibly high standard of films being screened. It was a real honour to have my film 'SEED' shown in their highly competitive UK narrative shorts block, alongside some real big hitters - the film right before ours had Stephen Fry in the lead role! One of the organisers also came to speak to me at the end and offer me encouragement and positive feedback on the film. Felt like a really special experience overall and an interesting location by the sea, that I probably wouldn't otherwise have visited. Well worth attending in person.

    April 2026