Barbados Independent Film Festival

Submissions open on December 15, 2025.
Earlybird Deadline: February 15, 2026
Regular Deadline: June 15, 2026
Late Deadline: July 15, 2026
Filmmakers will be notified of final selections on or before August 30, 2026.
Submission fees are non-refundable.
BIFF reserves the right to revise submission deadlines at its sole and absolute discretion.
Submission does not guarantee selection or screening at BIFF.

Eligibility:
Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025.
Films must be available in English or in the original language with English subtitles.
All films must comply with the BIFF Submission Guidelines, including deadlines, exhibition format, and required entry materials.
All submissions must be completed online via FilmFreeway.
Review & Selection:
All submitted films will be reviewed in their entirety by BIFF’s selection committee.
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit as early as possible.
BIFF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to select, schedule, screen, or withdraw any film at any time.
Rights & Clearances:
Entrants are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, royalties, release forms, clearances, and permits required to present their work.
Neither BIFF nor any BIFF screening venues shall be held responsible for any claims involving copyright, trademark, credits, or royalty infringement related to the submitted work.
By submitting a film to BIFF, the submitting parties confirm that the film is original and does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other protected rights; all necessary permissions, licences, releases, and clearances have been obtained; the film does not defame any individual or violate rights of privacy, publicity, or any other legal rights; the film is not involved in any legal dispute or litigation, nor subject to any claim; there are no existing or future agreements that would prevent the film from being submitted to or screened at BIFF; the submitting parties have the full legal right and authority to submit the film and to grant BIFF the right to screen the film at festival venues and/or on secure, time-limited online platforms where applicable; and submission and exhibition of the film do not violate any applicable laws or regulations.
Indemnification:
The submitting parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless BIFF, its organisers, partners, staff, volunteers, and affiliates from any claims, losses, damages, or legal costs arising from the submission or exhibition of the film; any breach of these Terms & Conditions or representations made by the submitting parties; or BIFF’s decision to screen or not screen the film.
Security & Liability:
BIFF takes reasonable security and anti-piracy measures to protect submitted films.
Access to films is limited to authorised BIFF personnel for screening and consideration purposes only.
By submitting a film, filmmakers release BIFF from liability for loss, theft, unauthorised access, or copying while the film is in BIFF’s possession.
Premiere Status & Awards:
Filmmakers must indicate whether their film will have its Barbadian Premiere, Caribbean Premiere, or World Premiere at the time it is screened during BIFF 2026.
Films having their Barbadian Premiere will be considered for awards.
Final award eligibility and determinations are at the sole discretion of BIFF and its appointed juries.
Marketing Requirements:
Upon submission, filmmakers must provide at minimum a poster, two still images, a director’s headshot, a director’s biography, a synopsis, a trailer, and an EPK.
All materials must be high-resolution. A more detailed list of marketing materials will be requested upon acceptance.
By submitting these materials, filmmakers grant BIFF the right to use them for festival promotion, marketing, press, and archival purposes.
Screening Fees & Waivers:
BIFF does not pay screening fees to films accepted into the festival.
If a submission fee waiver is granted, the filmmaker forfeits any right to a screening fee. A waiver does not guarantee acceptance into the festival.
All monetary awards are payable by wire transfer via an international intermediary bank only.
Final Provisions:
All correspondence will be conducted via email only with the original submitter.
BIFF reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to rule on any cases or situations not foreseen by these Terms & Conditions.