Recovery Street Film Festival returns for its 12th year.
Our 2026 theme is: “Rewriting the Script.”

Everyone has a story. Sometimes it can feel like it’s already been written for us—but it’s not fixed. So—what’s your script? Who’s in it? And what happens next?

This year’s theme is about turning points: the moments where something shifts, a new choice is made, and a different path opens up. This is your chance to take control of the narrative—to flip it, challenge it, and rewrite it.

Recovery Street Film Festival is a UK-wide platform for films created by people affected by substance use and recovery—individuals, families, friends, professionals, and communities with lived experience. Through film, we bring people together to challenge stigma and build understanding.

We’re looking for bold, honest short films that explore recovery, identity, and transformation. Your film can be serious, funny, creative, or unexpected—documentary, drama, comedy, animation, music, spoken word, or experimental.

We believe recovery is possible—and happening every day.

You can view last year’s shortlisted films at: www.rsff.co.uk

We welcome entries from across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England.

The 2026 festival will take place from 2–4pm on Saturday 26th September at the Phoenix Cinema, Leicester. Fifteen selected films will also be available via our YouTube channel for community screenings throughout September, as part of Recovery Month.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Leicester City Council and The National Lottery Community Fund in making the Recovery Street Film Festival 2026 possible.

RSFF is produced by Sobriety Films UK CIC, with support from a steering group including Turning Point, Waythrough, Project 6, Freed Up, and Phoenix Futures.

Rooted in community, care, and respect, the festival creates a safe and empowering platform for filmmakers sharing vulnerable and personal experiences.

As we enter our 12th year, RSFF continues to champion authentic storytelling—honouring the courage it takes to recover, and the power of film to connect, heal, and inspire.

Awards & Prizes

A shortlist of 15 films will be selected from the entries. From this shortlist, the Judges will award:
1st Prize: £250 vouchers
2nd Prize: £150 vouchers
3rd Prize: £100 vouchers
Plus Best Young People’s Film age 16-25

Selected films will be screened at our live cinema Awards Ceremony event on Saturday 26th September at the Phoenix Cinema, Leicester and shared online via the RSFF YouTube channel to support accessible community screenings.

To host your own screening, we will provide a YouTube link when the shortlist is announced, allowing you to screen the films throughout September for Recovery Month.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

Films must be made by people with lived experience of substance use and/or recovery, or created in close collaboration with someone who has lived experience.
Open to entrants across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Films may be made by individuals or organisations
Entrants must have full rights and permissions for all content submitted
Films may be pre-existing or newly created

Film Requirements

Maximum length: 3 minutes (1–3 minutes recommended)
Must be in English or include English subtitles
Must be uploaded via unlisted/private YouTube link
Must be appropriate for public screening
Must exclude any explicit images of drug & alcohol use
Must comply with copyright law (music, footage, images, etc.)

Please note:
Films about addiction that are made without lived experience involvement are unlikely to be selected.

Safeguarding & Consent

By submitting, you confirm that:

You have full rights and permission to submit the film
Everyone appearing in the film has given informed consent for public screening
The film does not breach safeguarding or legal requirements

For service / organisation-led submissions:
You confirm your organisation holds all required safeguarding and consent documentation for participants featured in the film

For independent submissions:
You confirm that you personally hold all necessary consent and safeguarding permissions for everyone featured, including any under 18s or vulnerable individuals

Submission Agreement
By submitting to RSFF, you agree that:
Your film may be screened publicly at festival events and online
RSFF may use stills, excerpts, and clips for promotion, publicity, and press
RSFF may securely store your film for festival administration and archive purposes
You agree to RSFF Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy (available on the official website)

Judging Process
Films are not judged on technical ability but on storytelling and impact.

Judging criteria:
Originality and creative idea
Strength of storytelling or execution
Relevance to the theme: Rewriting the Script

Winners will be announced at the festival awards ceremony.

Important Notes
RSFF reserves the right to exclude films that do not meet the rules or safeguarding requirements
Entrants should retain a high-quality version of their film if selected

Film Withdrawal Policy
You may request to withdraw your film at any time by emailing rsfilmfest@gmail.com with your film title. We recognise consent as ongoing and will handle all requests with care and respect.

Policies
Full Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Safeguarding Guidance are available at: https://rsff.co.uk/competition-information
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Final Agreement
By submitting, you confirm that:

You agree to all RSFF rules, safeguarding requirements, and policies
You grant permission for RSFF to screen your film publicly
You grant permission for RSFF to use promotional excerpts and stills
All information provided is accurate and complete
You understand that RSFF may store your submission securely for festival purposes