We are non-elitist and non-political, and with a remit to celebrate films from all over the world, and to bring a cinema experience to rural communities.

WHY CHOOSE US?

There are many perks to submitting your project to the 'Rural Reels', which include: -

Automatic selection (for all complete submissions).

A guarantee that your project will be viewed and judged by an international panel of industry professionals from the world of film and television, from both in front and behind the camera, with a wealth of connections to numerous main-stream television networks, distributors and media outlets.

The potential for publicity through interviews on established genre-specific YouTube channels, podcasts, and magazines.

The potential for reviews to be published in a range of media forms with a range of media outlets, including British national newspapers.

A non-elitist approach which will offer constructive feedback to every submission.

Discount on submission for FilmFreeway Gold members.

The creators of the most exceptional submissions may be invited to join the judging panel for the next season of the festival, offering a potential opportunity to gain experience behind the scenes of the judging process and live film screenings.

A great opportunity to network with industry professionals and have your project catch the eyes of international distributors.

SUBMISSIONS ENTERED INTO ONE SINGLE CATEGORY WHICH THE JUDGING PANEL DEEM TO FIT IN OTHER CATEGORIES MAY BE MOVED INTO ANOTHER CATEGORY OR JUDGED IN MULTIPLE CATEGORIES.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR EVERY SELECTION TO BE SCREENED AT THE LIVE EVENT.

Short submissions are less than 45 minutes in duration; feature submissions are more than 45 minutes in duration.

It is a multi-level award festival with opportunities to receive award laurels and trophies for OFFICIAL SELECTION, HONORABLE MENTION, BRONZE, SILVER, GOLD, and PLATINUM awards in each category.

This means that multiple awards can be issued at any given level in any given category, and therefore, filmmakers are not competing over a single award.

Entrants are responsible for ensuring that any material submitted is appropriately licensed for use and public screening.

All films submitted must be in English or have English subtitles included.

Films submitted must have been completed after 1st January 2016 (unless special permissions are sought from the festival organisers), and must also be delivered in HD.

We will accept links to online versions of your film. You may enter a password protected link for Vimeo, or an unlisted/private link for YouTube when completing the submission form via FilmFreeway. Links must remain active for the duration of the festival.

All entrants must consent to having their work downloaded.

All films which are officially selected will be scored by the judging panel, but not all selections are guaranteed to be screened at the live event.

We reserve the right to disqualify a submission, without refund of any kind, if eligibility requirements are not met including if eligibility status changes post-submission.

All entries selected into the Rural Reels grant the Rural Reels the right to use any footage from the preview screener and all material included in their submission for promotional purposes, without limitations.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST: -

Completed submission form, submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.

For best chance of selection entrants should aim to include a poster for their film, an electronic press kit, and a trailer (where possible); as well as a link to a secured online screener for your film that is accessible for the duration of the festival.

Ensure that entry fees are paid; these are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kyle Cheatley

    Honoured to have won the best screenplay award for my short script 'Full Stop' Looking forward to submitting again in the future!

    May 2026
  • CHRISTINE BUSH

    So incredibly grateful that my script for DON'T HANG UP was selected to be part of this festival. Thank you for the opportunity and being such a great network for indie filmmakers. Such a wonderful festival

    April 2026