'THE WORLD'S COOLEST FILM FESTIVAL'

Animations are only £16 (Gold fee) to submit!

A BIFA qualifying festival, CPIFF is RATED 4TH IN THE WORLD on FilmFreeway out of 14,000+ festivals and No.1 in the UK!
Most of our nights SELL OUT! No other festival can say that. See why celebrities & filmmakers say we're "the coolest" and screen higher quality films than any other in this 3 minute video, a must watch:- https://vimeo.com/671142880 .

EMI RECORDS sponsor the CPIFF Award for Best Music Video with president Rebecca Allen personally picking the winner.

CPIFF is a feel good celebration of the truly incredible quality created every year by independent filmmakers like you and a big salute to the lengths gone to in producing your art. No-one presents this to the public like CPIFF. We are one of the most inclusive festivals as since the start in 2009 we have ensured every single screening has films starring and made by numerous ethnic groups. We include as many LGBTQIA+ films as possible. We also put on a fabulous networking night for filmmakers with a free bar. Submit Now.

Writer of The Simpsons since it began, Mike Reiss, even back in 2015 said: “YOU RUN THE VERY BEST FILM FESTIVAL WE'VE EVER BEEN TO - AND WE'VE BEEN TO A LOT! It's a very casual setting but there’s nothing casual about how it’s put together and how high the quality of the films are. They filled the house, there’s food and drink everywhere, it’s been A LOT of fun every night – really top notch.”

Tom Scurr, producer said: "What you’ve created with CPIFF is phenomenal, it’s such an asset to filmmakers. The film industry and festival circuit is like the wild west but you’re so passionate and you care about film – it’s glorious! All filmmakers are grateful to you, thank you so much!"

Phil Dunn writer/director wrote: “OUTSTANDING festival. This is how you do it. Other festivals take note. Tons of sold out nights, amazing selection of high calibre films and beautiful screenings at gorgeous Everyman Cinemas. Topped off by amazing awards event with food, drinks, desserts, stand-up comedy and hilarious comedy shorts - like really LOL funny!

Music legend PAUL WELLER (The Jam, The Style Council) said about CPIFF: "It's my only film festival & I've loved it, it's inspiring and we need it, the whole independent movement is a wonderful thing."

JOHNNY VEGAS, one of the biggest names in UK comedy presented the CPIFF Awards 2020 and 2021, he said about CPIFF: "Frankly, I've been totally overwhelmed, it's phenomenal!"

Cat White, writer/producer/director: “I’m absolutely blown away with what you’ve done! Firstly, a full house - congratulations. I’ve been speaking to everyone here - the films are INCREDIBLE. I honestly think it’s the most incredible curation of films I’ve ever seen and I’ve done a lot of these festivals!”

Established in 2009, Crystal Palace International Film Festival (CPIFF) screens only the very best of the Independent films it receives. We vigilantly curate every night offering one after another of pure quality, an eclectic mix in fabulous venues with crafted Q&As, making a social evening to remember. This is why most screenings sell out well in advance. Filmmakers want an audience and the public want to be entertained - we provide both.

We do NOT require a premiere as we support the filmmaker - it is about YOU! Festivals demanding a premiere massage their own ego putting festival against festival whilst lowering the number of festival selections and awards a film can attain. When selected by CPIFF your film has a stamp of quality and will be seen by a sizable audience. We are also the only festival to have 4 x 1 hour programmes screened on LONDON LIVE TV channel (permission always sought) because, again, the quality we send is so much higher than others who put films forward.

Submit your film for a chance of winning a coveted CPIFF Award at the incredible awards & comedy night always hosted by a top comedian, it will delight you. With themed evenings CPIFF is importantly inspiring the public to really appreciate independent film.

A TIP: TRY AND KEEP SHORT FILM CREDITS AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE! Preferably under 1 minute. 10 films with 2 mins each adds 20 minutes of just credits to one night's screening! This is just a tip, it has no bearing on film selection.

Winners receive a coveted CPIFF Award for best in category presented at the amazing CPIFF Awards.

Judges include:- Rebecca Allen - President of EMI Records. UK top comedian, writer and producer: Johnny Vegas, Sony award winning comedian, author and columnist: Mark Steel, Peppa Pig creator: Neville Astley, Producer: Beverley Dixon, Bafta winning writer Brian Dooley plus many more.

By submitting to the Festival, you agree to all of the following:
Images from the film can be used in CPIFF (Crystal Palace International Film Festival) publications, the CPIFF website and all other media outlets related to CPIFF publicity and you indemnify CPIFF against any responsibilities incurred by the screening of this film. CPIFF can keep the preview footage for its archive film libraries for viewing at the festival.

Anytime after 20th January films cannot be withdrawn as print, video trailers and website work are too far under way. Any changes would cause a lot of extra work that would then have to be invoiced for and paid for by the withdrawer.

Films must be submitted to CPIFF by the stated deadline
Please note that information given on the submission form may be used by CPIFF for publications.
CPIFF does not pay a fee for screening any film and cannot help with accommodation or travel expenses.
CPIFF accepts no responsibility if the information provided is inaccurate.
Please note that submissions entered will not be returned.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Louisa Connolly-Burnham

    Honestly, this fest was a total win. From the start, they made things super easy — fast email replies, no stress about premiere status, and affordable DCP options (rare and very appreciated).

    The networking night was a blast — free bar, good vibes, and great people. Our Q&A was thoughtful and well-run, and it wasn’t just us — every film seemed to get that same love.

    The programming felt genuinely diverse and inclusive, and the audiences showed up — we had sold-out nights, which was wild.

    And the venues? Two luxury cinemas plus a beautiful historic hall. It felt legit.

    Big thanks to the team for making Sister Wives feel right at home. Would 100% do it again.

    April 2025
  • Maya Mandell

    This festival was truly fantastic. There were so many opportunities to network and meet other likeminded filmmakers. Neil's communication was wonderful. We are so happy that we submitted to CPIFF!

    April 2025
  • Joe Borg

    What an incredible festival. CPIFF really do champion independent filmmakers. It was an honour to be a part of such a warm and inspiring event. I couldn't recommend CPIFF enough. Thank you for giving my film such a fantastic platform.

    April 2025
  • Abi Tedder

    Great festival - sold out showing in a beautiful venue. Vibes were immaculate! Highly recommended.

    April 2025
  • Chester Carr

    Really great festival! Very high quality of films, and a real treat to have my film played in front of a sold out audience. Will definitely be submitting my next film. The welcome drinks were great too, met some really interesting people. Thank you!

    April 2025