The Festival of Short Film (formerly The Pennine Film Festival) has been established in the North-West of England as an exhibitor, and all-round film education resource for the burgeoning independent film movement in the region. The competition and screenings are just one element of a week long schedule of events devised to support and encourage local talent.

Although the Festival caters for the local film community through workshops and events at our Lancashire based venues, the screenings and competition entries are international. This years festival is bigger offers more events to the public at several venues in the North West of England, primarily Salford and Media City.

Recent Events – Philip Barantini and Boiling Point screening, Mike Hodges Retrospective: Mike Hodges took questions from fans following a screening of his cult classic Get Carter at the newly refurbished Accrington Town Hall Ballroom. Cinephiles took an opportunity to put questions to one of Britain’s most revered film directors when he visited Accrington.

Supporters and previous participants of the Festival include:
Directors Alex Cox (Sid and Nancy, Straight to Hell), Chris Bernard (Letter to Brezhnev), Phil Hawkins (Being Sold, The Butterfly Tattoo), Bruno Coppola (Stuff that Bear, Antigone) and Mike Hodges (Get Carter, Flash Gordon)
Actors Lee Ingleby (Master and Commander, Harry Potter), Margi Clarke (Letter to Brezhnev, Blondefist), Sushil Chudasma (Chicken Tikka Massalla)
Special FX Producer Joanna Nodwell (Harry Potter Films, Bolt, Hellboy 2), VFX Supervisor Hasraf Dulull (Dark Knight, Prince of Persia) and many more.

For the list of Previous Winners Please see the Website or our social media.

Awards & Prizes

Short Film Competition (1-15 minutes)

Best Animation Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Experimental Short Film
Best Local Short Film
Best LGBTQ+ Short Film
Best Student Short Film
Best Short Film In Show

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
Festival of Short Film 2025
Rules for Participation

1. Dates and Venue
The Festival of Short Film will take place AT Media City and at Salford University Campus on January 13th-17th . The absolute final submission deadline is as dictated on the Film Freeway Page. The category winners (see 8.) will be announced after the Festival entries close.

2. Competition
The Festival reserves the right to place entries into alternative categories if they feel it is to the benefit of the title. Each submission must be entered separately. Entries will be assessed and successful submissions will be programmed for screening and enter the Festival competition. Failure to submit a screener copy four weeks prior to the festival will rule out eligibility for an award. If your film is selected we reserve the right to show your film at a time and date of our choosing.

3. Formats
For the selection process acceptable formats: Online, DVD (PAL) & Blu-Ray.
For successful submissions that are granted a screening: Online (HD).
Final date for submissions is as dictated on FilmFreeway.
Please address your entry to:
Festival of Short Film
c/o Film Production
University of Salford
MediaCityUK B4,
Orange Tower,
Salford M50 2HE

4. Selection
The Festival is organized by a Panel associated with the Film Departments of Salford University as well as invited guests from industry. The festival directors reserve the right to invite films for the competition and programme. Screening schedule will be announced after the final submission deadline. The final award winning entries will be selected by either a festival jury or audience votes. Award winners will be notified within 10 days of the festival screenings.

5. Entry Returns
If you wish your submission copy to be returned you MUST include a postage paid envelope otherwise it will not be returned.

6. Screenings
It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that films for screening are deposited with the festival organisers at least 7 days before any scheduled screening.

7. Publicity
We reserve the right to use extracts from submissions for festival publicity and marketing purposes. Press kits are not required, but are useful, so please feel free to send these with your submissions.

8. Categories
Short Film Competition (1-15 minutes)
Best Animation
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Experimental Short Film
Best Local Short Film
Best LGBTQ+ Short Film
Best Student Short Film

Eligibilty for Student Awards - The producers of the film and/ or director must have been a student when the film was produced.

Awards may be subject to change at the discretion of the Festival of Short Film.

9. Submission, Selection for Screening, Awards and VOTING
There are 3 distinct stages. Submission, screening and awards. The administrators' decision is final.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY