PLEASE NOTE - WE ARE CURRENTLY LIAISING WITH THE VENUE AND ARE LOOKING AT A FESTIVAL DATE IN AUGUST 2019. WE WILL NOTIFY ENTRANTS OF OUR SELECTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT US ASKING FOR AN UPDATE ON YOUR FILM SUBMISSION. WE HAVE NOT YET MADE OUR SELECTIONS BUT WE WILL DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANKS!
The London International STORY FIRST Film Festival is an international festival. We're looking for brilliant fiction short films (animation and live action) up to 20 mins (we will consider up to 25 mins as an exception but prefer them to be under 20) completed after 1st January 2017, from anywhere in the world, in the following categories:
- BEST COMEDY
- BEST DRAMA
- BEST GENRE FILM (Horror, Sci-Fi and Thriller)
As filmmakers ourselves, we believe that great storytelling lies at the heart of good films. We think a compelling, entertaining or provoking story with original characters and ideas is far more important than the camera used on the film, or the lighting budget, or much else for that matter (except sound; good sound is vital).
That's why we started the London International STORY FIRST Film Festival and Awards - to reward filmmakers for their storytelling abilities rather than their proximity to oodles of cash. We also believe film festivals needs to do more to address inequality in the industry - we have been to too many where only 10-20% of acceptances are women and there's very little ethnic diversity.
We keep our submission fees low to encourage submissions from productions that may not have the backing of big production companies or a wealthy relative. We strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as women and BAME filmmakers, and will judge projects on their storytelling skills and filmmaking craft, regardless of budget.
Our inaugural festival took place in January 2018, at a fantastic independent cinema in London with top-quality projection facilities - and we are now accepting submissions for our 2019 festival.
We also provide reviews for films which are published on our website - www.LISFfilmfest.co.uk - please select 'Film Review' on FilmFreeway if you would like us to review your film.
If you have a short film that fits the bill, please submit it to us! We can't wait to see your work.
Prizes for our 2019 festival are TBC. Official Selections will screen at our festival in early 2019.