Detour is a film festival with a pure independent spirit. We believe true creativity and fine art is not entirely dependent on big budgets in order to flourish. Our aim is to support and promote films that are challenging and beautiful, those that speak to our hearts and make us think. We are looking for free-thinking films and filmmakers that create fantastic art despite the budgets and other limitations.

We want to see your best films either following a traditional narrative or a more challenging and experimental one, with true grit and low-budget mindframe.

Awards & Prizes

Firmly inspired by the notion that art's core and soul should be freedom and democracy, we charge no/low submission fees. We don't pay screening fees or give out cash prizes. As a result, we maintain our independent spirit and promote films and filmmakers whose low-budget films are creative, challenging and truly independent.

Rules & Terms

1. Entries must be original works produced, written and/or directed by the submitting filmmaker. It is the filmmaker's responsibility to obtain rights, clearances and permissions.

2. We accept fiction films, experimental documentaries and analogue animation.
Music videos, Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Media are not eligible.

3. We accept films up to 70 minutes.

4. We accept films of any production date.

5. Screening:
a) Detour Film Festival is entitled to show the selected films during the duration of the festival.
b) The Festival may use fragments and stills of the films to promote the films and the Festival.

6. Entries may be disqualified for:
a) inappropriate material
b) incomplete application materials and documentation
c) submissions on unacceptable media
d) failure to comply with the festival criteria.

7. All films with dialogue must be subtitled in English and, once selected, provide a timed subtitle file in srt format in English.

8. Films must be submitted by an online screener.

9. Authors may submit up to two films.

10. All decisions made by the judge(s) are considered final and incontestable.

11. Once selected, the author can't withdraw the film from the festival.

12. Submission fees are non refundable.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • mark petrasso

    Thank you to the organizers and jury that selected my short movie "The Screenwriter". This festival is "young" and has a very promising future. From what I gathered, not having attended in person, it was a very well organized event and I can definitely say that communication was excellent. Best of luck!

    November 2025
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  • François Goglin

    The film festival’s team offered exceptional support and welcomed our film with genuine enthusiasm. Their professionalism, warm communication, and passion for cinema made the entire experience outstanding. It was a true pleasure to collaborate with an organization so devoted to showcasing new voices.

    November 2025
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  • Alex Krasimirov

    The thing I loved most about this festival is its goal to promote short films made with little to no budget. Films like these are usually created with blood, sweat, and tears, and they truly deserve to be seen. Well done, Detour FF! The communication with the festival organisers was excellent. I was always kept informed about the screenings, social media promotions, and even received photos from our film’s screening. A true gem of a festival, and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves very soon.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much. for your kind words!

  • Miguel Chichorro

    Detour Film Fest is a celebration of independent cinema — driven by courage and a profound passion for filmmaking. The festival brings together works of diverse origins and styles, each reflecting a distinct creative voice. The team’s social media posts, featuring beautifully crafted synopses of the selected films, invite us to rediscover each piece with fresh curiosity and admiration. I sincerely hope for a second edition — and for the chance to return with a new film to share.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • cristòbal arteaga rozas

    Fantastic fest, thank you guys!

    November 2025
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