An International Film Festival by Royal Appointment…

The inaugural Windsor International Film Festival will take place on the now delayed date of April 2025, submissions have now closed and all submitted films from 23/24 are now in consideration for the festival in April. We will welcome filmmaking talent from all over the world to showcase their new works to film lovers, professionals and enthusiasts. Submit your film today and be part of what will be one of the most boutique and immersive film festivals for many years to come.

What Films are we looking for?
… Amazingly well-crafted independent stories told in short or feature format. Narrative fiction, documentary, experimental, music video and animation, whatever the genre, we are on the lookout for all styles and flavours that will make our inaugural festival, here in Windsor, a eclectic mix of passionate brilliance and knowledgeable creativity.

Where are we?
Royal Windsor in the United Kingdom is famous for its royal connection and world renowned castle. The Windsor International Film Festival will be a showpiece event, showcasing the best of independent film from around the world. The very first WindsorIFF will be hosted at the renowned Old CourtArt Space and Royal Windsor Odeon, where films will be premiered in front of film professionals, investors and enthusiasts, who will welcome filmmaking talent and their exceptional works from around the world.

Who are we?
Our team of film professionals will work alongside film societies, distributors and programming experts to help build the Windsor International Film Festival into the most prestigious film festival in the UK.

Not Just a Film Festival…
With Special guests, networking events and after parties, the inaugural festival will be a boutique event to match any festival in the world. Submit your work today and the Windsor International Film Festival will endeavour to produce a platform for your film within a showcase that independent film richly deserves.

Bespoke Castle Film Awards…
Each year, on behalf of our exclusive partners, our Grand jury members, made up of distinguished filmmaking and distributing professionals, will award special prizes and unique Bespoke Castle Awards to the winners of the following categories…

Best Feature film
Best international short film
Best UK short film
Best documentary Feature
Best documentary Short
Best Experimental
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best un-commissioned screenplay
Best Music Video
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Film of the Festival

WindsorIFF is looking for independent feature-length and short films from around the world from any genre.

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

The 1st Windsor International Film Festival will take place from April 18th 2025.

1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from 7th November 2023
All submission deadlines are found within the FilmFreeway listing.
Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.

2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

3. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 August 2022.
- Windsor Film Festival requires at least a Windsor premiere for all films.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

4. Premiere Status
- Windsor International Film Festival requires at least a Windsor premiere for all films. All films may have screened at other festivals but just not have screened in the Windsor Region.
- There is no Premiere policy for Experimental Films and music videos.

5. Film Classification
All films screened during the Windsor International Film Festival receive an age rating of 18 plus.

6. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for Windsor International Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

7. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from the Festival must be borne by the submitting party. The will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. The Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

8. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

9. Notification
Windsor International Film Festival endeavours to complete all selection procedures by April 22nd 2025 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

10. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4).in order to be screened at the festival. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.
A selected DCP or video file must be received at the Festival no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date.

11. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Windsor International Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Windsor International Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Windsor International 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.

12 - Due to the unprecedented and ongoing problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to change the festival to a geo-blocked virtual online festival if it is not possible to host the event in a physical venue for whatever reason.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN WindsorIFF:

By submitting to the Windsor International Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of WindsorIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise WindsorIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during The Windsor International Film Festival 2025 festival. I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the WindsorIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold WindsorIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to WindsorIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2025 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2025 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify WindsorIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.