The Discover Film Awards is one of the biggest short film festivals in the world with over 4,000 annual submissions from 60+ countries, global premiers in London's Leicester square with packed cinema audiences, filmmaker parties, red carpet events, script-pitching round tables with funding available for new projects and an annual cash prize fund of over USD 60,000, including the prestigious Craghoppers Film Prize.

Spread over 5 days in October 2018, The Discover Film Awards involve public cinema screenings at the Prince Charles cinema in London's Leicester Square. Quentin Tarantino describes it as his favourite cinema in London saying it is "everything an independent movie theatre should be”. As well as public screenings, the festival includes discussions at universities, networking events, a filmmaker supper, an opening party, a closing party and awards event that brings together investors, distributors, journalists, film producers and media professionals.

A major supporting partner of the festival is Craghoppers, the global outdoor clothing brand, which awards The Craghoppers Film Prize as part of The Discover Film Awards. This celebrates the very best talent of student and established short filmmakers. It includes a student cash prize of £2,000 (USD 2,750). The ultimate Craghoppers Film Prize is up for grabs at the October Discover Film Awards and entries will be shortlisted from all entries from the April and October festivals, no matter what genre or who has entered. The first prize is £20,000 (USD 30,000) in cash and the second prize is £10,000 (USD 15,000) in cash.

Unlike a lot of festivals, we make no apologies for having a commercial edge. Our head of programming & chair of judges has produced and directed over 50 commercially successful films and documentaries and most recently has overseen a series of global advertising campaigns. Our judging panel consists of senior professionals from the TV, music and film world.

The festival is looking to showcase the very best short films that are entertaining and tell a story. The sort of short films that people want to watch. That make them laugh. Or cry. That shock and surprise.

Selected films get the option of various paid distribution channels including trains and airlines. Distribution is optional and entirely up to the filmmakers.

As well as cash prizes, winners can get help with future film projects in the form of discounted rates from our partner firms (such as production houses) and mentoring from senior commercial film and business executives. We can also introduce filmmakers to funding sources for future projects and offer publicity across a wide range of media (print and social).

Awards & Prizes

Cash Prizes:

Best overall short film in 2018 wins USD 30,000/GBP 20,000 in cash.
Second place wins USD 15,000/GBP 10,000 in cash
Student prizes at April and October events of USD 2,750/GBP 2,000 in cash
Pitching competition to investors with additional cash prizes to fund films

Physical Awards:

Audience Award
Jury Award
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Screenplay
Best Editor
Best Cinematography
Best Animation
Best Comedy
Best Cross-Over
Best Debut
Best Documentary
Best Drama
Best Experimental
Best Fantasy
Best Horror
Best Low Budget
Best International (various awards)
Best Micro (under 5 minutes - various awards)
Best Music Video
Best Non-Narrative
Best Sci-Fi
Best Student

Rules & Terms

Films must be 45 minutes or under to enter the competition. There is no lower limit on run time.

Films will be shown to our panel of judges, including genre experts.

All films will be screened via DCP files. If filmmakers selected for the festival do not have a DCP, we we will produce one for them free of charge (one of the filmmaker perks that we offer). We will also require .mov, mp4, or equivalent as a backup.

For call cash prizes, instructions will be given on how to claim the award. The filmmaker will be responsible for any taxation payable on the award and any international bank charges. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Director of the film.

Discover Film will not be responsible for any custom duties or charges on physical submission. Please be sure to include "temporary import/cultural exchange" and "no commercial value" on any paperwork.

The festival handles submitted physical screening files with the utmost of care and provides insurance of loss or damage to a maximum value of US$100.00 (or cost of replacement, whichever is less). The festival will return any physically submitted screening files at the festival's expense.

Permission for the festival to use images and excerpts of each submitted film, not to exceed 1 minute for promotional purposes is considered granted upon submission - including trailers/clips on the festival's media channels. If you would rather opt out from this please contact the festival organisers.

Discover Film reserves the right to complete any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever source available and/or re-write material to fit our marketing requirement and will not be responsible if incorrect information is entered.

Participation in The Discover Film Awards implies understanding and acceptance of the above regulations and requirements for this submission

31 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Fernando Rivera

    Discover was the first film festival I've ever submitted to, with the first film I've ever produced, and it ended up being the first award I've ever won! The team was great about communication, and I was so bummed I couldn't attend. However, We are now qualified for the Craighopper's Film Award, and I will definitely try to make it across the pond for that!

    July 2018
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  • JM Marbach

    Great venues, high quality screenings (picture + sound), competent and friendly crew, awesome awards party and genuine promotion of their award winners and shorts in general.
    Without a doubt one of the best festivals out there.

    April 2018
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  • Gal Sagy

    We didn't expect such a warm welcome. Jane and all of the festival's crew made us feel at home from the first moment, the cinema at Leicster square was spectacular and all of the films were really high class. Each screening was followed by an after party, full with networking with filmmakers from all around the world. We were thrilled to be a part of this festival and to receive the best debut film award for our film.
    Highly recommend to try and submit to this festival.

    April 2018
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  • Eamonn Hearns

    Excellent festival. Really well run, great venues, and a warm, welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. Highly recommended!

    April 2018
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  • Stuart T. Birchall

    A wonderful team and a wonderful festival! A really inspiring experience with great support for independent filmmakers. The organisation and communication was fantastic and the awards night was wonderfully hosted! To walk away with an award from the festival was an additional bonus and a huge boost to our progress this year. The sponsors and partners were directly involved in the festival and were keen to meet the filmmakers. A very welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Thank you to everyone involved!

    April 2018
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