We want to support the best narrative and factual films out there including both short and feature films. We look for strong, compelling stories with high production values and exciting cinematography to showcase at the festival.

We started our own family run business in 2009, having been part of independent film production and distribution for many years prior to that, currently with over 40 films in the market. We have helped set up five other film festivals as well as running three of our own international film festivals. What started as our passion has become our life’s work.

If you have taken a full VIP package you will be able to enjoy dinner and entertainment at our specially selected venues every evening, which many previous visitors have pointed to as a highlight of the event. These include a socialising dinner on the first night of the festival as well as the Awards Night. Plus, during the day you can enjoy the city or watch as many films and talks as you wish for free.

We can’t wait to see you at our festival and look forward to chatting about your film and future projects. And if you’re just here to enjoy the films we look forward to a sit down discussion about them and aspects you loved, or would have done differently, and to find out your choice for film of the festival.

We typically have 35-40 awards across all categories, including Best Feature, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Animation, Best Short Documentary, Best Comedy, Best Student Film, Best Director, Cinematography, Original Score, Screenplay, Editing, Visual Effects, Sound Design, Costume Design, Production Design, Hair & Make-Up and more! Award category designations vary year on year, & will be confirmed on the notification date.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU SUBMIT YOUR FILM IN THE CORRECT CATEGORY
Films submitted in the incorrect category will be automatically disqualified, & any fees paid will not be reimbursed.
At our discretion, we may choose to transfer a film to the correct category, but only if the appropriate level of submission fee has been paid. Any excess fees paid will not be reimbursed.
STUDENTS - in order to be eligible for the Student Submission film rate, films must have been made as component of a University or College Filmmaking Course, or otherwise both Producer AND Director must be Students. You must be able to provide appropriate Student ID or other documentation upon request.

GENERAL RULES
A) Guidelines

Films that have been aired on UK television prior to the Festival, are available for purchase on DVD or on VOD in Europe, or are available for continuous online viewing in their entirety are NOT eligible.
Films previously submitted to the Portsmouth International Film Festival are NOT eligible.
Exhibition copies of all films selected for screening at the festival must be submitted on DVD or Blu-Ray. Do not send film prints, master tapes, or other originals. We can only screen films from Blu-Ray or DVD. Exhibition copies will not be returned after the festival.
Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.
Entrant will allow usage of clips from the film for promotional use on television, radio, in print, and at live Festival events.
All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles are not eligible.
Works in Progress: While entrants are permitted to submit films that are not fully complete (i.e., without final color correction and sound mixing), please note that the programming committee will only consider the version submitted; subsequent cuts or replacement copies will only be accepted at the request of the programming committee.
Only complete entries (including entry form, payment, and preview DVD screener) will be processed.
The Portsmouth International Film Festival is not responsible for incorrect wording in publications or on awards if the entry form is incorrect.
Students must include proof of student status at the time of production (i.e., copy of student ID, transcript, etc.).

B) Deadlines

Entries are eligible for the appropriate rate based on the date of the postmark if delivered.

C) Shipping

The cost of shipping an entry to the Festival must be paid by the entrant. Collect or COD shipments will not be accepted.

All international entries must be sent to the Festival office with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper. Fees charged to the Portsmouth International Film Festival will be refused. Be sure to include the proper customs documentation required by your shipping service. All deliveries should be marked with no commercial value.

D) Judging & Selection

Feature, Documentary, Short and Animation Films are selected for Festival presentation by the Portsmouth International Film Festival Programming Committee. If a film is selected for screening, the Festival office will contact the entrant by phone or email.

All competitive film categories, including the Portsmouth Award and Short Film Competition are judged before the Festival.

All entrants will be notified on or before 21 July, 2017.

For publication purposes, entries selected will be requested to supply three high resolution stills from the film and at least one high resolution photograph of the film's director. The Festival also requests publicity materials and a video trailer (if available). Publicity and press materials will not be returned.

E) Entry Fees

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, notification that your entry has been received, and notification of results. For entries submitted on FilmFreeway, these fees must be paid through FilmFreeway.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ronan Reinart

    This festival is a keeper! Charming, delightful and intelligent film lovers. We will be back! Many, many thanks to all involved and for awarding The Orchard Best Feature! Kate Twa (writer/director) and Ronan Reinart (dp/producer).

    November 2017
  • Kyriakos Gikas

    Very good festival! I will submit again.

    November 2017
  • Marcus Walfisch

    Fantastic Festival! Very helpful organisers! Will definitely submit again!

    October 2017
  • Yoshimi Kakihara

    Thank you for taking my film into this great festival! Very helpful team, a great experience. Thank you!

    October 2017
  • Daria Piovani

    An excellent festival! It was a little more low-key this year due to the location of the screenings, but the festival crew were very helpful & communicative keeping me up to date. It was a great pleasure to attend the fest & meet some of the other filmmakers. Well worth it!

    October 2017