CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS TO SUBMIT THEIR FILM TO THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY!
The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) is for filmmakers and film lovers alike to be entertained, educated and inspired. BIFF celebrates independent film and recognizes and pays tribute to accomplished artists on both sides of the camera in the international, national and regional film community. We provide filmmakers, producers, directors, writers and actors an environment to collaborate, present their work, and interact with each other and with film audiences. Our priorities are to showcase the most challenging and topically relevant documentaries each year and provide a platform for Berkshire filmmakers.

We have honored or had special events with Arthur Penn, Kevin Bacon, Philippe Petit, Kathleen Kennedy, Patricia Clarkson, Douglas Trumbull, Marina Abramovic, Gregory Crewdson, Darlene Love, Greta Gerwig, Noah Baumbach, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheila Nevins, Mariel Hemingway, John Landis, Karen Allen, Bruce Dern, Paul Krugman, Darlene Love, Conrad Anker, John Carroll Lynch, Kent Jones, Charles Randolph, Christopher Plummer, Rachel Weisz, Alfre Woodard, Ruth Reichl, Stephen Lang, James Ivory. Brian Cox and Martin Scorsese.

NEW CATEGORY FOR COLLEGE FILM STUDENTS!
The Berkshire International Film Festival announces the second annual nexGEN Film Competition for university and college students across the USA. The competition aims to discover emerging student filmmakers and provide them a voice. BIFF wants to
highlight their talent in a festival setting and perhaps provide them with mentoring and job opportunities in a tough industry.

BIFF aims to help students use their film as their calling card for a career in the industry.
We also aim to give them a platform not only to showcase their talents, but also attend our Filmmaker Summit to meet and network with professionals in the film business.

The competition is open to all CURRENTLY enrolled college and university student filmmakers in the USA.

BIFF will present three winners for either narrative and documentary films. All three films will be presented at the 2026 film festival and will be invited to attend the festival in person as our guest.

Films requirements for submission:
MUST be a college or university student in the USA at time of submission
MUST be shorter than 12 minutes
MUST be completed by March 31, 2026
MUST be produced and directed by a student who is CURRENTLY attending a college or university
MUST own or have cleared all rights of the submitted materials, including music

There is no submission fee for this entry.

Awards & Prizes

The BIFF awards Juried Prizes for narrative, documentary, and feature films. The $2,500 prize is sponsored by GWFF. The Next Great Filmmaker Award for best short film carries a $2,500 prize and is sponsored by Berkshire Bank. We also give Audience Award prizes for Documentary, Narrative and Short Films with no financial award.

Student Film Competition will award top 3 winners with a cash prize as well as a BIFF Pass to the festival and Filmmaker Summit as our guest.

Rules & Terms

The Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow, is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS
1. Submission Format - Films must be submitted via online screener.

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed by March 1, 2026.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

3. Premiere Status
- BIFF requires that all films have not played to a public audience in the Berkshires before the festival dates.
- Films must not be available online before or during the festival

4. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for BIFF are to be paid by credit card or PayPal. The submission fee is non-refundable.

5. Selection of Films
Films are reviewed based on the festivals programming goals with a focus on finding unique stories and high-quality filmmaking that will engage and entertain our audiences. All films are seen by at least two members of the programming team, including a member of the team who has decision making power. All volunteer programmers go through detailed one-to-one training with the Head of Programming. Final selections are made by the Head of Programming in conjunction with the Artistic Director.

6. Notification
BIFF endeavors to complete all selection procedures by March 31, 2026 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a detailed and important information on providing DCPs, press kits, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

7. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP). BIFF works with CineSend to procure all films that are accepted to Festival. Submitting parties will receive a link and instructions to upload DCPs. In some cases, BIFF requires .mp4 or .mov file format in addition to DCP due to venue requirements.

8. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for any materials sent to and returned from BIFF must be borne by the submitting party. BIFF will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. All charges must be prepaid. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive. We strongly encourage all filmmakers to pick up any physical DCPs prior to departure.

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

10. Cash Prizes
Cash prizes are available for the specific categories of Next Great Filmmaker Award, Jury Prize for Documentary and Narrative, nexGEN Film Competition. Cash prizes are to be used towards the filmmakers next project. Cash prizes could be withdrawn at any time.

11. Waiver Requests
BIFF only issues waivers under very specific circumstances. Waiver code can be requested by emailing kelley@biffma.org, anne@biffma.org and lauren@biffma.org.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL:

By submitting to the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF), I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of BIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorize the BIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2026 festival. I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the BIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is it threatened by any litigation. I hold BIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials enroute to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to BIFF 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 2026 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2026 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify BIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gaspard Choquet

    Such an incredible festival! The filmmaker summit was so useful and inspiring.

    June 2026
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  • Cinema Collet

    I finally had the chance to attend BIFFMA after many clients had told me how amazing it was. It was indeed a fantastic experience. The hospitality was incredible. Almost all the filmmakers attended and there was much attention spent to allow us to connect to each other. The filmmaker retreat is unique and not to be missed. The communication from the fest staff was wonderful and the audiences were enthusiastic and savvy! I hope to return next year and every year!

    June 2025
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  • Jason Neulander

    One of the very best festival experiences I've ever had as a filmmaker. From the communication up front to the hospitality when we got there to the quality of the films and the awesomeness of the other filmmakers, it was just great. Thanks, BIFF!

    June 2025
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  • Emily Sheskin

    I had a fantastic experience at BIFF! The filmmaker summit was a really wonderful way to get to meet everyone. I was impressed with the industry representation and wisdom shared. Highly recommend going if you're lucky enough to be programmed!

    June 2025
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  • Benjamin Stephen

    Loved our experience at BIFF, they really put in the work to create an environment for filmmakers to connect and learn from one another. Not to mention some fantastic docs, narratives, and shorts! They took such good care of us. Will definitely be back.

    June 2025
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