The Berlin Independent Film Festival is at the epicentre for low-budget filmmaking in Europe. While the Berlin Independent Film Festival is not connected with the Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale), BIFF runs at the same time, and not far from the European Film Market and draws on all the film industry power gathered in Berlin for those events.

BIFF takes place at the Babylon Cinema in downtown Berlin. As well as a offering plenty of screening opportunities for indie films, BIFF is developing into a crucial business hub for the low-budget film industry. BIFF hosts workshops and networking social events where attending filmmakers help each other out with marketing advice and EFM tips.

With an emphasis on showcasing new filmmakers achieving great things with tiny budgets, BIFF’s exciting programme of films and events combines a commitment to indie filmmaking ideals with a solid understanding of their potential in the marketplace.

Awards & Prizes

Awards in the following categories:
Best Feature (over £100k)
Best Micro-budget Feature (under £100k)
Best No-Budget Feature (under £10k)
Best Documentary
Best Sci-Fi / Horror Feature
Best Female Director Feature
Best LGBT film
Best Short Film
Best Short Documentary
Best Animated Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Horror / Sci-Fi Short
Best Music Video
Screenplay Award categories:

Best Feature Screenplay
Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay
Best Comedy Screenplay

Rules & Terms

*Preview format should be digital submission, either through a submission platform, or via a hosting platform like Vimeo. If digital submission is impossible for you, drop us an email and we'll work something out.
*If you are submitting more than one entry, a separate submission is required for each film.

Please send any related press materials, including electronic press kit, and photos to info@berlinfest.com

40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • John Wood

    The BIFF team looked after us really well and we are over the moon that our documentary, "The Session Man", took home the Best Low Budget Feature Award! And Babylon Berlin is the coolest venue!

    March 2024
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  • Mauricio Ovalle

    Thank you so much to the Berlin independent film festival for honoring us with the jury award for best shot. Thank you Natasha for keeping the communication open and keeping us informed in everything as we were not able to attend for reasons you already know. This has been an amazing experience to be a part of this great festival. Can't wait to finish our next project and once again participate.

    February 2024
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  • Victor Martini

    Thank you to the festival for inviting us and showing our film "Divorce Day". It was a lot of fun and it was great to see our movie again on the big screen.

    March 2023
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  • Melika Rezapour

    Thanks for the great festival and giving me the opportunity to be a part of the festival

    March 2023
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  • Julian Isfort

    Amazing Festival and we are so grateful and honored for the prize for Best Comedy Short! Hope to see you all again soon.

    March 2023
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