The Stafford Film Festival is a vibrant celebration of global storytelling, creativity, and cinematic excellence. Set in the heart of Staffordshire, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts from around the world for a unique cultural experience.

What Filmmakers Can Expect:

🎬 Grand Prize: $500 | 2nd Prize: $250 🎬

Showcasing Your Work:
Your film will be presented to an engaged audience in a professional venue, alongside a curated selection of outstanding films spanning diverse genres and perspectives.

Networking Opportunities:
Meet fellow filmmakers, industry leaders, and festival attendees during dedicated networking sessions before and after screenings. Exchange ideas, form connections, and explore potential collaborations in a friendly, supportive environment.

Interactive Q&A Sessions:
Engage with audiences during post-screening Q&A sessions, offering insights into your creative process and receiving valuable feedback directly from viewers.

Exclusive Filmmaker Interviews:
Finalists and winners will have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive online video interview or an in-person interview at the festival. These interviews will delve into their project, creative motivation, and filmmaking process, providing valuable exposure and a platform to share their journey with a wider audience.

Recognition and Awards:
Compete for prestigious awards across multiple categories, including our Grand Prize of $500 and a 2nd Prize of $250. The festival honours achievements in feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation, experimental works, and more.

Community and Culture:
Immerse yourself in the local culture and community of Staffordshire, a region steeped in history. Experience the warmth of its people and the beauty of its surroundings while sharing your art with an appreciative audience.

The Stafford Film Festival is more than an event—it’s a platform for filmmakers to share their vision, connect with a global community, and gain recognition for their creativity and hard work. Join us and let your story shine!

At the Stafford Film Festival, films are evaluated by a panel of esteemed industry professionals, including experts from institutions like the BBC and individuals who have contributed to Oscar-nominated films. Our judges bring a wealth of experience and a keen eye for quality storytelling, ensuring that every submission is assessed with the highest standards of professionalism and respect.

All films are judged using a comprehensive point-scoring system, where each project is evaluated across key criteria such as creativity, technical execution, originality, and audience impact. The films with the highest average scores progress to the final selection, giving all submissions a fair and transparent opportunity to shine.

The Stafford Film Festival celebrates creativity and storytelling by recognising exceptional achievements in filmmaking. With diverse award categories and valuable prizes, the festival offers filmmakers an incredible opportunity to showcase their work to a global audience and gain meaningful recognition.

Award Categories

Filmmakers can submit their projects in the following categories:

Best TV Pilot/Web Series
Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Student Film
Best Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Student Documentary
Best Animation, Best Short Animation, Best Student Animation
Best Experimental Film
Best AI-Generated Film
Best Music / Performance
Best First-Time Filmmaker
Best One-Minute Film
Best Feature Script, Best Short Script
Best Original Song
Audience Choice Award

Awards and Prizes

Winners in each category will receive:

🔹 Official Stafford Film Festival Trophy
Each category winner will be awarded a beautifully crafted festival trophy to commemorate their success and recognition at the festival.

🔹 Industry Recognition
Your work will be highlighted on our website, social media platforms, and press materials, offering excellent exposure.

🔹 Networking Opportunities
As a winner, you’ll gain access to filmmakers, industry leaders, and festival attendees during exclusive events.

🔹 Screening & Potential Future Screenings
Selected winners may be featured in screenings, additional screenings, or have opportunities for collaborations with festival partners.

🔹 Potential Distribution
All films selected as finalists will be presented to our friends in distribution to help promote the possibility of distribution deals for the selected films.

🔹 Receive Official Festival Merchandise
Winners will receive exclusive Stafford Film Festival merchandise as a token of appreciation for their achievement.

The authorised representative of the project named below (hereafter called the “Project”) submitting to Stafford Film Festival Institute (hereafter called the “Institute”) for consideration for Stafford Film Festival (hereafter called the “Festival”), hereby acknowledges the following:

1. Rights & Permissions
1. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
a) They are duly authorised, on behalf of all Project Owners, to permit the Institute to exhibit this Project in the Festival and to make the representations and warranties set forth herein.
b) Exhibition of the Project in the Festival will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity, whether such exhibition is theatrical (live), digital, or any combination thereof.
c) The Project is not subject to any litigation, arbitration, or other adversarial claim or proceeding, nor is the Project the subject of any threat of litigation.
d) The Project may be screened in full at a physical location or digitally, including across social media platforms, at the discretion of the Institute.

2. Screening & Festival Participation
2. Stafford Film Festival reserves the right to screen or not screen any submitted film, including those of finalists and winners. Submission does not guarantee screening at the live event, digital platforms, or in any format.
3. Stafford Film Festival is in no way obliged to conduct interviews with filmmakers or participants of the festival. Requests for interviews, press coverage, or additional exposure are granted solely at the discretion of the Festival.
4. Stafford Film Festival reserves the right to inform or not inform participants of the results of the Festival. While we strive to maintain communication, we are not obligated to provide individual feedback, results notifications, or detailed explanations regarding selection decisions.

3. Intellectual Property & Legal Clearances
5. The undersigned warrants that the Project’s exhibition in the Festival, whether live or digital, will not infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark, or any other personal or property right of any person or entity.
6. The undersigned acknowledges that the Festival assumes no obligation to provide compensation for the exhibition of any Project, except for official festival awards, which may include cash prizes.

4. Code of Conduct & Disqualification Policy
7. Disrespectful, rude, or abusive behaviour towards the staff of Stafford Film Festival or anyone associated with the Festival will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of the submission fee. Stafford Film Festival maintains a professional and inclusive environment, and any behaviour violating this standard will not be tolerated.
8. The Festival reserves the right to rescind invitations, awards, and participation privileges from individuals or films that violate our Code of Conduct.

5. Liability & Indemnification
9. The undersigned and the Project Owners agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Institute, the Festival, and all related parties from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees, and expenses arising from the Project’s participation in the Festival.
10. The submission of a Project does not impose any obligation on the Festival to accept, exhibit, or provide feedback on the Project.

6. Prize Money & Payment Conditions
11. Any prize money awarded can only be paid to a PayPal account. It is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure they have an active and valid PayPal account to receive payments. The Festival will not make payments through bank transfers, cheques, or any other financial platform.

7. Arbitration & Legal Matters
12. Any claim or dispute relating to the Project, Festival, or these Terms and Conditions will be subject to binding arbitration. The arbitrator will have no power to award punitive or exemplary damages, and any awarded relief shall not exceed a refund of the submission fee.

8. Final Agreement & Acceptance of Terms
13. By submitting a Project to Stafford Film Festival, the undersigned acknowledges they have read and accepted these Rules & Terms. No oral representations or assurances outside of this agreement will be deemed valid.
14. If accepted, the Project Owners will enter into a Festival Participation Agreement incorporating all terms herein.
15. Postage for awards (if applicable) is to be covered by the recipient.

By submitting a film, all entrants agree to abide by these terms and conditions.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Amazing filmmaking event Michael is great host! 100% worth of all resources to submit this one! Would be happy to come with the new movie again!

    February 2025
  • Cheers for the selection guys would have loved to have attended the screening. Tc - great great festivals like these .

    February 2025
  • Dmytro Zavora

    Great Festival! I am honored to have Vita Nova as a finalist in this lineup!

    February 2025
  • John Beder

    I'm not sure we were in this festival but we got an acceptance and an invitation. We responded, got one response, but then never heard from anyone again. I'm sorry if this was our fault and sorry we had so little communication from anyone. If our film played I hope folks came out! We have no idea sadly and would maybe only apply if you're in the UK or close to the festival.

    February 2025
  • Luis Calero

    A great pleasure to be part of the Stafford Film Festival. Super professional team, well organized and very close. Thank you very much for supporting independent filmmakers. Thanks for selecting our documentary as a finalist. We hope to visit Stafford next time to meet the wonderful organizing team.

    February 2025