Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival, the flagship event of Alchemy Film & Arts, champions and platforms the highest quality in experimental film and artists' moving image, including cinema screenings, multi-channel installations and expanded cinema performances. The festival is one of the leading events of its kind, and the largest event of its kind in Scotland, taking place in the rural Scottish Borders town of Hawick.

In 2017, we curated the Scotland+Venice exhibition at the Venice Biennale, presenting a new film commission by Rachel Maclean. Alchemy operates year-round, bringing the best in experimental film and artists’ moving image to Hawick in the form of exhibitions, residencies, commissions, touring programmes, and community filmmaking initiatives.

Awards & Prizes

We are proudly non-competitive in nature.

Rules & Terms

We accept shorts and feature-length films via FilmFreeway only. To submit an Installation or Expanded Cinema proposal, please visit our website: https://alchemyfilmandarts.org.uk/festival-2021-submit

DEADLINES AND FEES
Earlybird Deadline/Entry Fee – 4 September 2020/£5
Regular Deadline/Entry Fee – 4 December 2020/£8

For our 2021 edition, Installations and Expanded Cinema proposals are free to submit.

FEE WAIVERS
We are happy to offer fee waivers for any artist in need of one. Get in touch if you require a waiver – no questions asked!

We also waive fees for anyone who lives in the Scottish Borders. Get in touch if you are a Scottish Borders resident.

PREMIERE STATUS
We have no restrictions on the premiere status of a film, though prefer not to screen work that has already been widely shown in Scotland. We will also favour work completed after 1 January 2020.

SCREENING FEES
We have increased our screening fees for all work selected from submissions:
— £50 per short or medium-length film (less than 60 minutes)
— £100 per feature-length film (more than 60 minutes)
— Installations and performances are remunerated according to the specific needs and nature of the work

All payments will be made via PayPal after the Festival.

FORMATS AND CAPTIONS

We screen films from DCP and 16mm, and can accept most other common digital formats.

We are providing all films with captions/Subtitles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (SDH) audiences, in the event captions/SDH are not already available.

SELECTION AND PRINT TRAFFIC

All notifications of selection will be sent out in early March 2021 if not before.

Final screening copies should be received by us within 4 weeks of notification.

In the case of digital files, we prefer to receive final screening copies electronically – i.e., via Dropbox, WeTranser or download link.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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  • Eric Butler

    A truly wonderful film festival, run by people who are professional and passionate about experimental film. Both of these traits shine consistently through every step of the process.

    May 2020
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  • MURAT SAYGINER

    One of the best festivals out there.

    May 2020
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  • Gwendolyn Audrey Foster

    I am so very honored to have my film, KITCHEN SINK FILM run in the festival this year. The curated films were astonishingly beautiful - often breathtaking. Alchemy is one of the best global festivals for truly avant-garde work. Excellent curation team, q&a and publicity and a smoothly run festival. The best!

    May 2020
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  • Festival Formula

    We did not get the chance to attend this year but we're always thrilled to get a client to screen at this exquisite film festival. It was fantastic to see our client, HORROR VACUI, the opportunity to be a part of this brilliant programme. Thank you so much for being so professional and easy to communicate with.

    May 2019
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  • Chris Paul Daniels

    An absolute joy to attend. This is so well programmed and doubles as a symposium, set of installations and performances, as well as a carefully considered set of shorts, features and special focus screenings. It comes highly highly recommended to any artists and filmmakers with an experimental take on film and the moving image. High quality of careful protection and attention to sticking to the times of the schedule really impressive too. Thank you Alchemy for a fantastic experience.

    May 2019
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