The Sur-REEL & Uncanny Film Fest is a celebration of creativity and the #art of filmmaking. It also celebrates the cinema of the Freudian unconscious. Therefore, surreal, ‘uncanny’, dreamlike or experimental films are encouraged.

Filmmakers and moving image visual artists who are inspired by the works of David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Luis Bunuel or Salvador Dali, for example. Or even the theories of Sigmund Freud.

Does your movie have the #uncanny vibe of Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' or the surrealism of Hitchcock and Salvador Dali's 'Spellbound'? Let us be the judge. We will see if you fit our 'surreal and uncanny' criterea.

All video and film formats welcome.
Free (or low) film festival submission for Early Birds and low submission fees in many categories.

Narrative shorts, feature films, experimental films and documentaries are all considered.

Awards & Prizes

1) We have a magnificent statuette for BEST FILM winner.
2) GOLD & SILVER Certificate Awards for 1st and 2nd place in the categories of Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Actress. Best Script/Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Make-Up/Costume.

3) There's an 'Uncanny Mention' for outstanding films that aren't placed in the awards.

4) Official Selection Laurels will be given to all selected films.

Rules & Terms

RULES

1. The submitter must own the film rights or have permission to submit.
2. Filmmakers can submit in multiple categories.
3. All films with non-English dialogue must have English subtitles.
4. Selection decisions are solely down to the discretion of the judges.
5. Submitters/filmmakers authorise the festival to use/share publicity materials via our social media platforms.
6. Submitters/filmmakers must accept the Sur-REEL & Uncanny Fest Rules & Terms.
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Natalie Lauren

    I really enjoyed this festival and was proud to show there. The location was fantastic, and the care/passion of the organisers very evident. A pleasure to support, and to be selected - thank you.

    January 2026
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  • SI Reasoning

    Absolutely a wonderful festival! The screening of the films were represented well, the host was beyond awesome, and the theater is acclimated to experimental films. We also got in some good networking time. I was very happy to be a part of it

    January 2026
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  • Anthony Moran

    Sad to write this. My film FISTER was selected and nominated for two awards, the organisers social media pages shared at length on my own socials. Excited, I took time out and made a lengthy an expensive journey to support the event, only to find out when I arrived that my film had been pulled from the lineup without being informed.

    To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The event itself was poorly run; it was simply an unhosted, 2 hour film block, held at 3pm on a Thursday afternoon. Attendees were ushered into a theatre where the first film had already started playing. People were still talking and being seated as the first film ended, no one watched it. At least one other film that I had been looking forward to seeing also wasn’t screened. When the film block ended, the doors were opened and everyone straight out. Less a festival than a gap filler for a side street theatre.

    Despite not being shown, I was later informed by email that my film won a silver prize for best film and best actor? OK thanks, but I would’ve preferred you had shown the film. Also incredibly unfair on the filmmakers whose films were actually shown.

    Overall just a flattening experience, the organisers need to do better by the filmmakers if they choose to host future “festivals”.

    January 2024
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  • Chandel White

    So great to be a part of such a unique festival!

    December 2023
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  • martin del carpio

    Thank u for the best script win for my film!

    December 2023
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