Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival takes place each spring in Hawick, a town of 14,000 people in the Scottish Borders. Dedicated to experimental film and artists' moving image, it is the biggest event of its kind in Scotland.

Including cinema screenings, discussions, communal meals and moving-image exhibitions in venues around town, the event is known for the openness, solidarity, humour and non-competitive nature with which it is delivered.

Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival is the flagship event of Alchemy Film & Arts, an organisation that works year-round with communities and artists both locally and internationally, using film as a way to come together, have conversations and make positive change. We strive to create spaces in which collective expression, creative learning and critical thinking can take place.

We are constantly questioning the broader contexts in which we live and work. Through collaboration, partnerships and a critically engaged practice that places inclusion, equity and social justice at its centre, we aim to put Hawick on the map as Scotland’s Film Town, and contribute to a fairer creative industry.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT US:

"A film festival unlike any other in Scotland, with a distinctive focus on unusual, experimental filmmaking that blurs the boundary between cinema and visual arts."

"Experimentation is no more than a style if it doesn’t change the structures we participate in… If the current film industry specialises in the extraction and exploitation of human resources, then Alchemy is an exercise in radical imagination… A space of mutual aid, solidarity, a care network for both the people and the land…"

"It was really inspiring how you held the festival, the care and attention, and to see the way that relations are building in and around Alchemy in Hawick. I am already looking forward to next year!"

"Alchemy is a true flagship for inclusion."

"Really had a wonderful time screening with Alchemy! The communication was impeccable and it is clear they love filmmakers."

"Wonderful curation, beautiful festival, a dream for experimental filmmakers!"

"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."

"One of the best festivals out there."

Awards & Prizes

We are proudly non-competitive in nature. All selected artists are paid.

Rules & Terms

DEADLINES AND ENTRY FEES
We ask that filmmakers submit their work on a 'pay what you can' basis. We do not ask for proof of circumstances, but ask that you are honest to allow us to keep fees as low as possible.
— Earlybird £9 / Regular £11: For those who are easily able to meet their basic needs and have expendable income.
— Earlybird £7 / Regular £9: For those who can usually meet their basic needs and have some expendable income.
— Earlybird £5 / Regular £7: For those who often struggle to meet their basic needs and do not have expendable income.

FEE WAIVERS
— We are happy to offer fee waivers to any artist in need of one. Get in touch at feewaiver@alchemyfilmandarts.org.uk – 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.

INSTALLATIONS
— If you are submitting a multi-channel installation, please give as much detail as possible, including documentation (if available) and essential needs in terms of space and tech. Alchemy will provide dedicated technical support during install and de-install.

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 2022.

SCREENING FEES
All work selected from submissions will receive:
— £100 per short or medium-length film (less than 60 minutes)
— £200 per feature-length film (more than 60 minutes)
— 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 provide all films with descriptive captions/Subtitles for D/deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences (SDH), in the event captions/SDH are not already available.

SELECTION AND PRINT TRAFFIC
— All notifications of selection will be sent out in February 2023 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, WeTransfer or download link.
— We hold ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to communication and the screening of your work; we test all digital files and work closely with our partners and screening venues to ensure your work is shown in the highest standard possible. For this reason we ask that all selected films are transferred to us in advance of test screenings. So as not to impact other selected filmmakers, failure to meet these deadlines may result in your film being withdrawn from our programme.
— We take a great deal of care each year to curate a meaningful and critically engaging programme. Once a film is selected and invitation is accepted, a filmmaker may not withdraw their film from the programme.

23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Elina Bry

    Incredible experience at Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival. The team was extremely supportive, the events were out of this world and the public was really generous with their questions.

    May 2023
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  • Jamal Ademola

    My second year screening at Alchemy Film & Arts. As a multi-hyphenate artist & filmmaker who works across multitudes of media and disciplines, this is absolutely one of my favorite festivals for not only the way they curate Cinema along with Visual Arts, but also their film & exhibition programming, design, attention to detail, and unpretentiousness. Long live Alchemy.

    May 2023
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  • Sofia Theodore-Pierce

    Alchemy's programming is top notch and they value accessibility. I hope to attend in person one day!

    May 2022
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  • Enam Gbewonyo

    A fantastic experience from beginning to end! The festival is set in a beautiful part of the world and with so much care taken to ensure both filmmakers and enthusiasts are well looked after! Such great attention to detail and a brilliant roster of films to boot. Looking forward to taking part again in the future!

    May 2022
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  • Bryam Kinkela

    A very good festival, thank you again for choosing my film !

    May 2022
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