XpoNorth is Scotland's leading creative Industries festival. A two-day long conference and showcase event, it is held in venues across the Highland capital of Inverness every June. A unique happening in Scotland's creative calendar, it covers crafts, publishing, screen and broadcast, as well as music.

XpoNorth 2017 will take place on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th June and will be attended by leading creative industry insiders, who will take part in workshops and masterclass sessions over the course of both days. Its film showcase attracts up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world and we usually try to screen c100 films.

As well as the daytime conference element of the festival, at night, XpoNorth offers a beguiling blend of Highland hospitality in the form of relaxed networking events, coupled with a free new music showcase in venues throughout the compact city of Inverness.

If your application is successful, we can offer a small bursary for travel and accommodation to attend the festival. We’ll be in touch when we announce the programme.

XpoNorth, is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Creative Scotland. It is headed up by former BBC drama producer, Amanda Millen.

Rules & Terms

There is no thematic or genre criteria; it is wide open to any kind of short film and open to anyone to enter.

Most importantly, we want engaging narrative and a structured piece of work with good storytelling and strong production values. Installations and conceptual films are not suitable; films from the more standard genres of broadcast such as drama, documentary, comedy and entertainment are invited to submit.

Guidelines For Submitting Your Film

Here’s what we are looking for:

Completed films up to 20 minutes in duration that focus on strong storytelling, high production values and engaging content.

Screening copies accepted only via a link to uploaded film on Vimeo or Youtube.
Your film does not have to be in full HD quality, just the best quality possible.
Remember to provide a direct link to your film and the correct password. Please make sure the video is accessible to XpoNorth until Friday 9th June 2017. If you change the password of the link please inform us as soon as possible.

All of the copyright holders for the film agree to allow the festival to use up to a maximum of 20% of the material in advertising and publicity without compromising or giving away the story or plot.

Before any decisions are made please note that all submitted films are viewed by members of the XpoNorth programming team as well as the Festival Director.

Please note, films with excessive bad language, gratuitous or sexual imagery will not be considered.

Due to the volume of entries received, XpoNorth cannot offer individual critiques of declined films - sorry!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • There is for sure one of the best northern Europe festivals.
    They really take care of your movies and pay attention to every detail.

    June 2017
  • Andrew Rooke

    A very welcoming and organized festival which hosts an amazing community of artists. Can't wait to attend next year.

    June 2017
  • David Fratini

    Proud of being selected on this festival in a amazing place!

    June 2017
  • Mazin Sherabayani

    I am very delighted for my short Documentary 'Dyab' to take part at your lovely festival. Thanks for the great opportunity and the networks and giving more exposure to my film. Best Wishes'

    June 2016
  • We were delighted to have our film ‘White Lining’ selected for screening at the 2015 Film Festival. We were made very welcome from the very beginning, from registration through to the closing of the Festival’s networking event. It’s indescribable to say how amazing it feels to share your film with an audience for the first time at such a well organised festival. We stayed for the whole of the festival, networking with filmmakers, musicians, producers and artists from around the world, while watching the film screenings with the filmmakers and the general public. When not watching films we had time to enjoy the music at venues across Inverness making new friends with the hospitable people of the Highlands of Scotland. 5 star we’d love to do it again. Ian F. Hunt Smudgerhunt Film

    May 2016