The HB Film Festival is IMDb-approved, ranking in the top 1% of over 12,000 film festivals and creative contests worldwide and WINNER of the Scottish Enterprise award for BEST INDEPENDENT FILM FEST 2025.

With several fabulous years behind us, we look forward to bringing more indie and grass-roots movies to Scotland. The HB Film Festival is the only Film Festival held in the Large Town of Paisley.

Our primary goal is to support Independent Film, and unlike other film festivals, we will not make any selections until the Final Deadline closes. This means every film that is submitted has the same chance of being selected.

Here are some words about our festival from past filmmakers.

"A LOT OF FESTIVALS COULD TAKE NOTES FROM YOU ON HOW TO RUN AN EVENT - HUGE KUDOS" TARYN HOUGH - FILMMAKER / ACTOR

"FOR A FESTIVAL YOU ARE GOING BEYOND THE EXPECTATIONS AND WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL". SIDARTHA MURJANI FILMMAKER / ACTOR

"LET'S ALL HEAR IT FOR THE HB FILM FEST WHO ARE THE MOST SUPPORTIVE FESTIVAL DUDES I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ASSOCIATED WITH". CAROLINE SPENCE - PRODUCER / SCREENWRITER

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"The mission of The HB Film Festival is to put independent cinema in the spotlight that both films and their makers deserve."

The HB Film Festival brings to Paisley, Scotland, a quality selection of both local and international shorts and features coming from all over the world. We aim to become a cultural gathering for film lovers & professionals coming from different artistic disciplines."

As a four-day event, we offer plenty of workshops, networking & screening opportunities for low-budget filmmakers and indie films.

Previous Sponsors/ Partners include:
Production Attic
The Iris Cinema
Indie Film Mag
Glasgow Film Alliance
Break A Leg Academy
Media Dog
Scare Scotland
Production Hoose
Inverclyde TV

The HBFF is a Hewitt and Bryce event.

Awards & Prizes

Submit your film now to be in for the chance to win one of the following awards.

Best Short Film • Best Feature Film • Best Documentary • Best Horror • Best Sci-fi • Best Comedy • Best Sound • Best Story • Best Editing • Best Score • Best Cinematography • Best Make-up • Best Animation • Best Director • Best Costume • Best Male lead • Best Female lead • Best Music video • Best Screenplay • Best Scottish film

Rules & Terms

1. Submission
Early entry is encouraged. (dates subject to change)
2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway by online screener ONLY.
We do not accept subsequent cuts or more complete versions of submitted films, therefore changing or updating the originally submitted link is not accepted.
3. Submission Eligibility
- All Films submitted to the HB Film Festivals can be used to promote the Film project and the HB Film Festival
4. Premiere Status
- There is no premiere policy for short films or feature films, but if the film is having its premiere screening at HB FILM FESTIVAL, then please let us know. That is a bonus.
If, after you submit, the premiere status of your feature film changes, rendering it no longer available, please let us know immediately.
5. Feature Film
***PLEASE NOTE*** We can only roughly show 1 to 2 Feature Films. So the standard for feature films is extremely high.
6. Film Classification
All films screened during the HB FILM FESTIVAL will not have been certificated by the film council; please take this into account when attending screenings at the festival.
7. Submission Fee
All submissions for HB FILM FESTIVAL are to be paid through FilmFreeway platform. The submission fee is non-refundable.
8. Shipping
If selected, you may be asked to send your film electronically. You will be given more information on this after the selection process.
If the film is selected for the Festival, all shipping and postage costs for DCPs, etc and additional materials sent to and returned from HB FILM FESTIVAL must be borne by the submitting party. HB FILM FESTIVAL will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. HB FILM FESTIVAL will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be prepaid.
9. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values.
- Independent nature of the production.
10. Notification
HB FILM FESTIVAL will complete the selection procedures and inform all submitting parties, via email, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive 2 Filmmaker Passes.
10. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide an electronic copy in order to be screened at the HB FILM FESTIVAL, as well as a backup. The film title MUST be clearly labelled. All foreign language films MUST contain English subtitles.
Our facilities do NOT support DVD, tape, 35mm, Super 16mm, 8mm or double-head formats. The project must be received at HB FILM FESTIVAL no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date.
11. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled at the discretion of HB FILM FESTIVAL. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, HB FILM FESTIVAL reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. HB FILM FESTIVAL will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

***PLEASE NOTE*** As stated above, we can only roughly show 1 to 2 Feature Films. So the standard for feature films is extremely high
105 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rossie Stone

    Loved the festival. Really positive vibe from both organisers and attendees. Great selection of films and talent, ample opportunities for networking throughout, and well catered for in terms of food and refreshment. Lovely time and highly recommended.

    January 2026
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  • Sea-Hoon Jeon

    Great Festival, I'm honored to screen my film Heavy Weight at the HBFF

    January 2026
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  • Stian Andersen

    A great festival., I can really recommend this festival.

    January 2026
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  • Natalie Lauren

    A really lovely festival! Sad I couldn't make it in person, but really appreciated how the team promoted the film through the months leading up to it. The events they ran looked incredible and will absolutely be on my list for future. Thank you!

    January 2026
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  • Wasp Video

    We had a great time at HB Film Festival. Brilliantly organised by Gary and the team, this is one of the most genuinely supportive festivals on the circuit.

    January 2026
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