The BLOW-UP ARTHOUSE Film Festival is transitioning from a traditional festival format to a dedicated awards event.

The BLOW-UP ARTHOUSE FILM AWARDS unites the most creative artists with discerning audiences for our annual celebration of arthouse-focused narrative and documentary films, shorts, animations, experimental works, and student projects. Named after Michelangelo Antonioni's iconic film "Blow-Up", our festival is dedicated to introducing more people to the world of arthouse cinema. We believe that stories driven by genuine expression can inspire new thoughts, promote the principles of humanism, expand creative horizons, foster compassion, and even lead to social change. We welcome films that aim to engage a specific audience with serious and thought-provoking content, rather than catering to mass-market tastes.

Our focus is on works created for their aesthetic and philosophical contributions, rather than commercial profit. The festival is committed to discovering and developing independent artists and audiences. We seek to inspire filmmakers from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their innovative work. We also honor established arthouse filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the art of filmmaking, aspiring to the caliber of directors like Eisenstein, Antonioni, Fellini, Tarkovsky, Godard, Truffaut, Pasolini, Kurosawa, and Buñuel. Our mission is to provide a platform for filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling, visual artistry, and cinematic innovation.

We strive to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where audiences can engage with thought-provoking narratives and unique perspectives that challenge the status quo. Through carefully curated screenings, panel discussions, and workshops, we aim to foster a community of passionate film lovers, creators, and industry professionals. Our festival is committed to nurturing emerging talent and championing voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema. We believe in the transformative power of film to illuminate the human experience, provoke meaningful conversations, and inspire change. Join us as we celebrate the richness of arthouse cinema and its vital role in the cultural landscape.

Awards & Prizes

- Main Categories -
Best Feature Film: Antonioni Award
Best Short: Charlie Chaplin Award
Best Documentary: Dziga Vertov Award
Best Experimental Film: Eisenstein Award
Best Student Film: VGIK Award
Best Animation: Norman McLaren Award
Best New Media: Andy Warhol Award
Best AI-Assisted Short Film: Alan Turing Award

- Technical Categories -
Best of Fest: Blow-Up Award
Best Illinois Film: Made in Chicago Award
Best Director: Tarkovsky Award
Best Cinematography: John Alcott Award
Best Screenplay: Tonino Guerra Award
Best Production Design: Cedric Gibbons Award
Best Actor: Marcello Mastroianni Award
Best Soundtrack: Nino Rota Award
Best Musical Film: Bob Fosse Award
Best Comedy: Buster Keaton Award
Best Montage: Eisenstein Award
Special Jury Prize: Best New Director Award
Special Jury Prize(s): Outstanding Directing
Special Achievement Prize(s): Film Criticism/Journalism
Founder's L'Eclisse Award(s)

Rules & Terms

Please read these Rules & Terms carefully before submitting your film. By submitting your film to the Blow-Up Arthouse Film Awards (BAFA), you expressly acknowledge and agree to be bound by these Rules & Terms.

The Blow-Up Arthouse Film Awards (BAFA) is an online-only event with no public screenings. We generally do not offer online streaming or viewing access to submitted films. The festival is open to any film, regardless of content, subject, or origin. Submitting your film to BAFA does not guarantee selection. All winning films will receive a trophy and/or certificate. Please read all rules and regulations before submitting your project.

Please note that the festival does not offer any form of preferential treatment. The festival's mission is to provide a level playing field for all filmmakers. The festival organizers do not respond to pitches for individual projects, and requests or demands for preferential treatment will typically not receive a response.

Films made in languages other than English must include English subtitles.

BAFA is granted the right to use an excerpt from any submitted film for promotional purposes within the United States only. The individual or organization submitting the film warrants that they are authorized to commit the film for occasional promotional use and fully understand and accept these requirements, rules, and regulations.

BAFA reserves the right to refuse entries, change the submission status, or reassign a submission to a different category.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless BAFA from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorneys' fees and court costs) incurred due to any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, or loss of or damage to submitted materials.

A film will only be eligible for jury competition if it is properly submitted via the FilmFreeway platform. We support independent film and encourage submissions from all genres. Films submitted without the correct fees or appropriate submission materials may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the BAFA programming or executive director.

A filmmaker will not be reimbursed for the submission fee if they choose to withdraw their submission.

Liability: Although every possible care will be taken with tapes, drives, and digital files while in our possession, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. Do not send original or master copies. Please ensure your contact information remains current throughout the submission period.

BAFA may amend festival dates and/or these Rules & Terms without advance notice. Each amendment becomes effective immediately. It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates. Festival honors may be rescinded for violations of the terms or ethical misconduct.

Every festival participant will receive at least two automatic notifications via the FilmFreeway/Blow-Up mail server:

- Submission confirmation
- Project status change

Optional notifications:
- Award decision

The festival is managed by Belisso, LLC.
159 Reviews
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  • Isabelle Evertse

    Thank-you so much Blow up! This experience was so special for me, watching the first screening of my film and feeling the room was unique. Well organized and professional, I felt welcome and included, met great people and enjoyed the genuine passion for art cinema. Many thanks for this moment!

    February 2025
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  • Michael DiGiacomo

    Doesnt screen all selected films. despite being a semi-finalist in the festival, our film was not screened. Although the arthouse style of the festival is enticing, I would not submit again.

    February 2025
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  • Andrew Proctor

    Great festival. It was an honor to be part of the festival.

    February 2025
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  • Arthur Helterbran Jr.

    Thank you so much Blow-Up festival for choosing "On Paper" as a semi-finalist. I appreciate all of your time and look forward to submitting with you all again down the road.

    February 2025
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  • Denise McQueen

    It was a good experience to know that we were semi-finalists. For my pilot, it was an honor to be part of the filmfest.

    January 2025
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