London Independent Film Awards is an IMDB qualifying monthly festival with annual screenings, recognising and awarding the work of independent filmmakers worldwide. Our aim is to give the directors, writers, animators, and actors involved a helpful step forward in their future careers.

All monthly winners will receive a digital certificate to commemorate their achievement. Winners will be announced on our website and promoted via social media.

Winners of "Best Picture' category will be awarded our LIFA trophy.

A selection of Best Picture will be shortlisted to be screened at our annual festival held in London.

Films entered in multiple categories may win multiple awards.

What filmmakers say about us:

"I just wanted to thank you again for all your support. Playing and promoting Elijah’s Ashes at your film festival was a really big deal for us. It helped us connect to the greater indie film community, film fans all over the world and ultimately led to a distribution deal with Summerhill Entertainment. So, thank you again!"
Ryan Barton-Grimley, Director/Producer/Co-lead actor, ELIJAH’S ASHES

"I wanted to reach out to you since our festival appearance and share with you the latest Quarries news. We are pleased to announce that Quarries has received distribution in the U.S. & Canada and are now available for sale. I wanted to personally thank the London Independent Film Awards for your support and including us in your 2016 program. The recognition and exposure your festival has provided to Quarries has been crucial to our success and ultimately distribution!"
Nicole Marie Johnson, Producer/Actress, Quarries

All monthly winners will receive a digital certificate to commemorate their achievement. Winners of the monthly competition will be announced on our website and promoted via social media.

Best Feature Film (all genres)
Best Short Film (all genres)
Best Student Film (all genres)
Best Documentary (all genres)
Best Short Documentary (all genres)
Best Animation Feature (all genres)
Best Animation Short (all genres)
Best British Feature (all genres)
Best Foreign Feature (all genres)
Best British Short (all genres)
Best Foreign Short (all genres)
Best Drama Short
Best Comedy/Dramedy Short
Best Horror/Thriller/Sci-Fi Short
Best Action/Crime Short
Best Fantasy Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Drama Short Student
Best Comedy/Dramedy Short Student
Best Horror/Thriller/Sci-Fi Short Student
Best Action/Crime Short Student
Best Fantasy Short Student
Best Documentary Short Student
Best Animation Short Student
Best Director
Best Director Feature
Best Director Short
Best First Time Director
Best Female Director
Best Web Series/ TV Pilot
Best Music Video
Best Original Screenplay Feature
Best Original Screenplay Short
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Child/Young Actor
Best Child/Young Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Visual Effects
Best Trailer

Please read all rules and requirements before submitting your project:

The London Independent Film Awards accepts all forms and genres. All films must be in English or have English subtitles. Multiple entries are allowed for each filmmaker and each entry may be entered in multiple categories separately. The London Independent Film Awards reserves the right, at any time, without notice and without limiting any and all other rights we may have under these Rules & Regulations, at law or in equity, to remove and delete your entry to the festival.

Submissions must be an original work of the applicant’s team and not based, in whole or part, on another author’s work (unless underlying material is in public domain). You agree that you will not submit any content that is libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, sexually, racially, culturally, or ethnically offensive, harassing, intimidating, threatening, hateful, discriminatory or abusive.

By submitting your film, you allow London Independent Film Awards to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose. A short synopsis and digital still photo is required for all scripts and all entries (except music videos) for the jury, and for our website announcements should you win.

Winning categories vary every month depending on the submissions we receive. Please select the right category while submitting to avoid disqualification.

Entry does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. No premiere status is required. Rough cuts and incomplete projects are not accepted.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the London Independent Film Awards, its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Dunya Alatva

    Thank you. I won the award for best female director for the documentary film “Darb Zubaida.”

    February 2024
  • Damien Reilly

    Honored to be part of the London Independent Film Awards, an enriching experience that recognizes and applauds the creativity and innovation within independent filmmaking.

    January 2024
  • Barros Mazigna

    I am very proud to have participated in the London Independent Film Awards festival and to have won the Best Film award with my film Silenced
    Thank you, I enjoyed this very beautiful cinematic experience.

    December 2023
  • It was a nice experience for me.

    October 2023
  • Nongolo Muteto

    Being part of this festival was incredible. I am so honored that my story "Splash! The Duckling who was afraid of water" won the "Best animated short story". I want to thank the team at London Independent Film Awards for this honor.

    September 2023