The Venice Film Week is an annual week-long event showcasing independent films with an edge. The event was created by independent filmmakers, for independent filmmakers, with the sole purpose to showcase and screen new and upcoming talent.

Running during, but independent from the Venice Film Festival (Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica), the Venice Film Week focuses on the unconventional, the unusual, the underground, the intuitive, the innovative, the minimalistic and the true artists of our time. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic the latest edition proved to be very successful with a record number of attendees (practical full house for all screenings or at least, as full as current regulations would allow). We'd like to thank all of our guests for coming out and enjoying a face-masked evening packed with independent cinema gems. We would also like to thank the generous support by the Città di Venezia, Circuito Cinema and media partners such as Evenice, VeneziaToday, Venezia360, La Voce Di Venezia and Il Gazzettino.

The Venice Film Week is an IMDB eligible film festival. This means that all selections and awards can be added to your IMDB film listing.

All screenings will take place at La Casa del Cinema, San Stae 1990 in Venice .

The Venice Film Week was featured in Venezia Today, FilmFestivals.com, Cinematory, Cinema Italiano, We Are Moving Stories, Art Connect, The Independent Critic, In Cinemas, Indie Talk, etc.

CONNECTING CULTURES PROGRAM
Venice Film Week supports the Connecting Cultures Program by The Bigger Screen. Each year, The Bigger Screens select ten countries and grant filmmakers from those areas the ability to submit their work free of charge to partner festivals all over the world. This opens the door of film exposure to those who may not otherwise be able to enter. As we support inclusivity and shareable films, this program exemplifies our mission. From February 2021 until February 2022 included, The Bigger Screen Connecting Cultures Program supports filmmakers based in the following countries: Burundi, Eritrea, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Iran.

Awards & Prizes

All selected filmmakers will receive The Tarkovski Grant, a film festival submission fee waiver package with an average value of about $250. This not only saves you a lot of money, but it also recognizes your work as something to watch for during the selection procedure, making a selection with another partner film festival more likely - but of course, never guaranteed. The Tarkovski Grant supports hundreds of filmmakers each year in their challenging journeys as independent filmmakers, by promoting existing films, no matter the genre, style or length. The Tarkovski Grant is supported by film festivals from all over the world. Find out more here: https://www.tarkovski.net/thetarkovskigrant

All selected films are also automatically in the running for Producer's Night.
Producer's Night is an opportunity for independent filmmakers to have their work screened to a private group of elite Hollywood producers. For many directors, it could mean their ticket to the mainstream. The exclusive screening presented by Cinematory, Tarkovski, and Hollywood producer Bhavani Rao, member of the PGA, will show the best of independent cinema from the past year's film festivals at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood. The only way to be considered for this by being selected at one of the partner film festivals. Venice Film Week is a proud partner film festival of Producer's Night. More information: www.producersnight.com

Each edition, the festival will also give out awards in the following categories:

Best Narrative Feature Film
Best Documentary Feature Film
Best Animated Feature Film
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Documentary Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
Best Experimental Film

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS

The Venice Film Week accept all forms and genres. All non-English language films must be subtitled in English. Entry does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. Submissions WILL NOT be returned. We also accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere and that may have distribution agreements already in place. Rough cuts and incomplete projects are not accepted. Multiple entries are allowed, however a separate entry form must be submitted for each. The festival has the capability to screen BluRay and MP4.

EXHIBITION & SCREENING
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of the Venice Film Week. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Venice Film Week reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Venice Film Week will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling. No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection. If chosen as an official selection, Venice Film Festival is granted the permission to exhibit the film at the Venice Film Week and all associated screenings. Location and timing of any screenings of the film shall be the sole decision of the organizers of the Venice Film Week. Filmmakers will be solely responsible for all costs resulting from the submission of the film to the Festival including but not limited to postage or insurance of the film, and expenses of your staff or any representatives of the film. Producer will indemnify the organisers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

LOSS OR DAMAGE
Although every precaution will be taken to prevent loss or damage to materials while in the possession of the festival, The Venice Film Week is not responsible should any materials be damaged while in transit to or from, or while in the possession of the festival.

ENTRY LIABILITY
The filmmaker holds the Venice Film Week, its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from entry. The filmmaker certifies to have full rights. Producer will indemnify the organisers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

SCREENING FEE
The festival does not offer screening fees for its films. By submitting through FilmFreeway you are agreeing to NOT request a screening fee as a requirement for your film's participation in the festival, should your film get selected for the program.

WAIVER REQUESTS
Since the festival only requires a nominal entry fee, we will NOT accept requests for other entry fee waivers.
22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Riccardo Salvetti

    Purtroppo non ho avuto occasione di frequentare di persona il festival, ma anche a distanza hanno dimostrato grande professionalità ottima organizzazione e risposte sempre immediate e celeri! Fantastica la sorpresa ricevuta come premio per gli awards vinti!

    September 2019
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  • Ali Haddadi

    Very well organized festival In the heart of Venice with the very professional organizers and the great film selections. It had a very nice time during this beautiful festival.

    September 2019
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  • Gaia Vianello

    Excellent, very warm and nice team, nice location and good selection. It was a pleasure to be selected.

    September 2019
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  • Christophe Karabache

    A competition of excellent standard! I recommend it.

    November 2018
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  • Devis Venturelli

    Highly recommend this festival to all indipendent filmmakers!

    October 2018
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