The Stratford on Avon Film Festival brings an International stage to the artistic capital of the Midlands region.

Why Stratford on Avon?

Stratford-Upon-Avon need no introduction as a market town with over 800 years of history. Of course one big part of its world famous heritage being Shakespeare. With the first theatre being a wooden structure built in 1769 and the current RSC being formed in 1961, there is no finer place to bring a world class Film Festival.
Not only renowned for its theatre production, Stratford-Upon-Avon is no stranger to TV either with programs like 'Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators' being filmed locally too.

Our aim is to bring you a wonderful friendly experience in one of the Midlands most stunning towns, where you can enjoy seeing your film on a big screen and network at the bar at the end of the screenings!.

As our third year kicks off we are now extending over two days to allow for some Q&A sessions and also a dedicated networking area and bar that will be running throughout the 2 days.

There will hopefully be further workshop events running that will be announced later in 2024/2025.

Awards & Prizes

Best Film in competition
Best Feature
Best Short
Best Director
Best Documentary
Best Music Video
Best Animated Film
Best TV Pilot
Best LGBT Film
Best Male Actor
Best Female Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Newcomer
Best Editing
Best Female Led Film
​Best Local Film - (Midlands based production, theme or cast and crew.)
Best International Film - (Produced outside the UK.)
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Special Effects - (Digital or practical.)
Best Hair & Make Up
Best Screenplay
Best Phone Film
Best First Time Filmmaker
Best Student Filmmaker
Best Comedy
Best Shakespeare Themed Film

Rules & Terms

1. All film submissions should be made digitally, not via DVD’s in the post. If you are unable/unwilling to use digital submission, please contact us and we’ will endeavour to work something out.
2. If selected to be showcased during the event, all screening copies must be received by August 6th, 2025
3. All photos provided must be clearly identified. Photos may be used for any festival promotions.
4. Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
5. All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.
6. Film Producers are responsible for insurance and shipment costs of films to SOAFF.
The title of the work and name of entrant must be on all mailing containers, labels, and film leaders.
7. Selected film entries will be notified by July 27th, 2025. An Awards Certificate will be awarded to the winners. Some Award categories may have co-sponsors providing prizes. One award or prize will be given to the individual designated on the official entry form.
8. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted and are attending the festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.
9. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted into SOAFF will receive the following:
One festival pass per submitted film block to see their festival film, and others in that block FREE
10. Film material will be handled with utmost care. However, neither the SOAFF staff nor supporting theatre organisations staff can assume responsibility for damage or loss of the film materials, en route or otherwise, during the course of the festival’s possession of the film.
11. All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by the Stratford on Avon Film Festival, without notice.
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tom Paul Martin

    It was an honour to be included in 2024's Stratford on Avon Film Festival. The screenings felt intimate and personal with discussion at the end of each block. Would recommend that the festival adds dedicated Q&A sessions next time as these could have gone on longer. We were thrilled to win 'Best LGBTQ Film' and 'Best VFX' for our film, 'Where Are All the Gay Superheroes?'. This is a lovely festival with a personal feel and I look forward to seeing how it grows in the coming years.

    January 2025
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words Tom, it was a pleasure getting to show your film. We do plan on larger gaps and Q&A sessions this year as they are definitely popular! We love suggestions from people on how we may improve on previous years and hope to see more work from yourself in the future.

  • Darren Scott

    We were thrilled to pick up 4 awards at Stratford on Avon FIlm Festival including the coveted Best in Festival award and my very first Best Director award.

    Whilst no surprises we had a great time as a result, this was merely the icing on a wonderfully run festival. The team are filmmakers who foster a wide appreciation of film genres and levels and then wrap them up with big dose of love and attention. All the many talented filmmakers I met there had a great time and that's not often the case.

    We've submitted to 30 or so festivals and Stratford are only 1 of 4 festivals who actually stuck to the deadlines they themselves set to communicate with filmmakers regarding submissions, nominations and sadly too often the actual date of the festival. This was refreshing when it should be the norm. Thank you again guys - we'll be there to support you next year even if we don't have a film to submit.

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Richard Mann

    Fantastic festival, thrilled to have one Best Phone Film for ‘Maximum Security’!

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Robin Slater

    Very good festival would recommend. Unfortunately we couldn’t attend the event live which we will do next year whether we have a film in competition or not. Great job guys

    September 2024
    Helpful
  • Nikita Matthews

    Though the 'Death of Ivan Ilyich' team could not attend the awards in person, the Stratford on Avon Festival has been the most "on top of it" film festival we have encountered so far. Communicative, energetic and with a genuine love for the craft and its practitioners. Other small festivals, take note!

    September 2024
    Helpful