We are now IMDb approved

Our main goal is to Support Indie Film. Check out our social media pages to see how we help promote and showcase Indie Talent. Here are some words about our festival from Filmmakers.

"I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN NEARLY 100 FESTIVALS, SMALL AND LARGE; YOU HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TO BE SO ON TOP OF THE WHOLE SOCIAL MEDIA THING. I THINK YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL FUTURE AHEAD" MICHAEL BAKER - FILMMAKER

"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"

Unlike other film festivals we will not make any selections until the Final Deadline closes. This means every film that is submitted has got the same chance of being selected.

The HB Film Festival brings to Paisley, Scotland, a quality selection of both local and international shorts and feature movies coming from all over the world and aims to become a cultural gathering for film lovers and professionals, to support the creation of networks between filmmakers and the local communities and to initiate inspiring exchanges between filmmakers and professionals coming from different artistic disciplines."

As a three day event, we offer plenty of screening opportunities for low-budget filmmakers and indie films. As well as live screening there will be networking opportunities and free filmmaking advice from local filmmakers.

Previous Sponsors/ Partners include:
The Iris Cinema
SLX Productions
Indie Film Mag
Glasgow Film Alliance
Futurist Digital
Hybrid Films
Media Dog
Concept Consulting
Scare Scotland
Inverclyde TV

The HB Film Festival is the only Film Festival held in the Large Town of Paisley. If you are thinking about staying over, Paisley is the closest town to Glasgow Airport with only a 10min drive. The train from the City of Glasgow to Paisley is also only a 10min journey.

There's plenty of bars and nightlife in both Glasgow and Paisley to make your stay exciting and entertaining.

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 / sci-fi / comedy
Best Sound
Best Script / 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 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 it's 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 3 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 maybe 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 pre-paid.
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 3 Feature Films. So the standard for feature films is extremely high
49 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Matthew Thomson

    Had a blast with the HB Film Fest! Great films from great film makers. Thank you for having us and keep up the good work!

    November 2022
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  • Dominic Williams

    A great place for all filmmakers from all creeds to showcase their work. This festival is a dime dozen as it supports emerging filmmakers on low to no budgets. Not many festivals can say they have such a focus but those others should take note! I hope to see the HB film festival continue to grow. Go on and get your film submitted!

    October 2022
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  • Jamie Cymbal

    Brilliant from start to finish! Loads of publicity and a great selection of films. (Ryan Simons, Tea With The Reaper)

    October 2022
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  • Tabita Knoblauch

    It was a wonderful experience having our short doc STRAIGHT GIRL screened at HB Film Festival, showcasing independent films in the heart of Scotland. The audience and jury feedback we received was incredibly valuable and we cannot wait for next year!

    October 2022
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  • Cameron Strachan

    Gary and the team put on a terrific weekend of short films. With a wide range of genre and type, the quality is exceptional! It’s the only festival I know of who truly promote independent filmmakers within the festival and out with. Thanks again for the inclusion of our short film Worlds Apart, and we already look forward to HB 2023!

    October 2022
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