Underdog Film Festival is an annual competitive festival dedicated to the often unheard voices in motion pictures.

Focussed on the short form, it is a festival that highlights the projects of filmmakers who are struggling to get their work seen. We are looking for a unique blend of arthouse, experimental film and non-fiction and want to see courageous and innovative narratives that deserve to be experienced, discussed and promoted.

The festival has an annual structure and will include different types of short film competitions as well as additional special events. First, the judges will privately review the submitted materials, then shortlisted films will be screened as part of our live screening schedule and the daily Peepshow booths. Ultimately, judges will vote on the shortlisted films and the audience gets to vote via the Peepshow programme. Winners will be announced during our awards ceremony.

But above all the Underdog Film Festival is a place that wants to bring people together and give them a place where they can discuss the things they are passionate about. On that note, we hope to entertain you!

Awards & Prizes

For our 1st year running we made the conscious choice not to have a feature competition, but to focus on the short form instead. A select number of feature films will be shown out of competition, however. The following categories will kick off our premiere event:

• Female Narrative Shorts

• Rainbow Shorts (LGBTQ Narrative)

• Immigrant Song (Migration Background Narrative Shorts)

• Underdocs (Short Documentaries)

• First Time Filmmakers

• Underground Shorts

In addition to our Best Film Award, the following award categories will be introduced:

• Best Performer in a Leading Role

• Best Performer in a Supporting Role

• Best Director

• Best Cinematographer

• Best First Time Filmmaker

• Best Underground Short

• Best International Film

• Best Film by a Female or LGBTQ Artist

• Best Documentary

Rules & Terms

1- In order to submit a film, you must own the rights or have power of attorney from the owner.

2- All fees are non-refundable.

3- The Festival relationship will exclusively be related to the film submitter.

4- Maximum length allowed is 30 minutes.

5- Any Foreign film that is not in German or English must have English subtitles.

6- UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL and its affiliates will not be responsible for damaged copies.

7- A DCP, BlueRay or DVD copy of the film might be required for the screening.

8- A screening copy will be requested for the live Events with English and/or German subtitles.

9- Students must present a valid Student ID in order to receive our student discount.

10- Not all the submissions are selected for the Official Competition.

11- UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate.

12- Filmmakers must submit their project in any of the Official Competitions (Female Narrative Shorts, LGBTQ Narrative Shorts, Immigrant Song, Underdocs, First Time Filmmakers, Local Heroes). All films submitted in any OFFICIAL COMPETITION will be considered in all Technical & Performance Categories with no extra cost.

13- A fee is required for the official Competitions Submission. For our payment structure visit FILMFREEWAY.COM

14- Submitting your film, you authorize UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills in our social media.

15- The applicants (submitters) must accept UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL’s Rules and Terms.