Few festivals can make you feel as valued and "heard" as the Realtime International Film Festival (RTF) – an event created for filmmakers, by filmmakers!

Founded in 2016, our vision is "To Establish A Genuinely International And Interactive Film Democracy. Our core values are Inclusiveness, Collaboration, and Equity (ICE). RTF provides that desirable platform "Where everyone feels equal."

Our MISSION is to foster an Artistic baseline where equity and openness are promoted among Creative Artists, Filmmakers, & Film Enthusiasts.

Our corporate vision is "to become the most celebrated equity-driven festival that promotes independent films, driven by technology, and remote accessibility, with a strong focus on Arthouse Films driven by strong philosophies, Cultural and Creative Arts."

We showcase the works of acclaimed filmmakers worldwide and are deliberately nurturing the development of the next generation of filmmakers. Over the years, we have significantly transformed the African festival scene through remarkable innovations and initiatives. Ten years on, we are fulfilling our international mandate.

The priority event celebrating the official 11th edition will take place in Bristol, United Kingdom, and will feature our signature "Realtime 20-Hour Filmmaking Challenge"!
Much like the 2024 and 2025 editions, RTF 2026 will also be a DESTINATION EDITION, with teaser events taking place in Trinidad and Tobago, Africa, America, and Asia.

"Art is our language, technology is our medium, and we honour the human creativity behind artistic films."

The Realtime International Film Festival invites filmmakers worldwide to participate without discrimination, offering submission fee waivers for those from countries affected by payment restrictions due to sanctions.

We celebrate FILMS, especially Artistic ones, along with their CREATORS. We also emphasise and present the latest TECHNOLOGIES influencing filmmaking.

"Our goal is not to create the most glamorous festival, but to establish the ultimate film democracy: one that is 'Accessible to all, Inclusive, Innovative, Environmentally-friendly, and Technology-driven.'" Although RTF originates from Africa, it is a festival with a global reach. A place where everyone feels equal. A festival for filmmakers, by filmmakers.

The theme for RTF2026 is "ENTREAT".

For more details, please visit our website: http://www.realtimefilmfestival.com

Please scroll down to read our Rules and Terms before you submit.

Awards & Prizes


RTF FESTIVAL REWARDS:

Please read carefully.

Presentation of  Awards is based on Submissions in the relevant categories. Awards will NOT be presented in any category where submissions are not made appropriately before the last deadline.

Films submitted to the non-competitive categories are also not eligible for Awards. These submissions are made by filmmakers who wish to exhibit their films but are not interested in winning awards. The jury may decide, however, to reward an exceptional film submitted in this category. Still, it is entirely up to the jury and subject to approval by the head of the jury.

The Realtime Film making Challenge films are expected to be a maximum of three minutes long and must have a great story, beautiful Cinematography, Lighting, and Sound.
A selection of the best movies made during the 20-hour REALTIME FILMMAKING CHALLENGE is showcased exclusively during the closing ceremony each year.

(AWARD CATEGORIES)

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(a)  NON COMPETITIVE & FREE TO SUBMIT

1. SHORT FILM / MUSIC FILM SHOWCASE (Non-Competitive & FREE to submit)
2. FEATURE FILM / DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE  (Non-Competitive & FREE to submit)

(b) THE BIG TEN: (HOURGLASS AWARD-X)
(Submission fees apply)

1. BEST FESTIVAL THEMED FILM (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
2. BEST DIRECTOR (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
3. BEST SCREENPLAY (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
4. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
5. BEST EDITOR (COMPETITIVE - (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
6. BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
7. BEST SOUND DESIGNER (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
8. BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
9. BEST AI (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) FILM (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)
10. BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM (Competitive Category: Under the BIG 10)

(c) COMPETITIVE WITH SUBMISSION: (HOURGLASS AWARD)
(Submission fees apply)

1. BEST STUDENT FILM - (COMPETITIVE) - Only category with runner-up. Winner gets the Future-Forward Award.
2. BEST MOVIE BY A FOREIGN FEMALE DIRECTOR / PRODUCER (Non-African)  (COMPETITIVE)
3. BEST UNCOMPLETED MOVIE - WORK IN PROGRESS - Movies still in the making (COMPETITIVE)
4. BEST NOLLYWOOD SHORT FILM - New Filmmakers (COMPETITIVE)
5. BEST NOLLYWOOD SHORT FILM - Established Filmmakers (COMPETITIVE)
6. BEST NOLLYWOOD (NIGERIAN) FEATURE FILM (COMPETITIVE)
7. BEST AFRICAN SHORT FILM - For other African Countries except for Nigeria (COMPETITIVE)
8. BEST FOREIGN SHORT FILM - Outside Africa (COMPETITIVE)
9. BEST FOREIGN FEATURE FILM - Outside Africa (COMPETITIVE)
10. BEST MOVIE FROM FRANCOPHONE AFRICA (COMPETITIVE)
11. BEST AFRICAN FEATURE FILM - All other African Countries except Nigeria (COMPETITIVE)
12. BEST MUSIC FILM - Music Videos with great storylines (COMPETITIVE)
13. BEST LEAD ACTOR (COMPETITIVE)
14. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (COMPETITIVE)
15. BEST LEAD ACTRESS (COMPETITIVE)
16. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (COMPETITIVE)
17. BEST CHILD ACTOR (COMPETITIVE)
18. BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS / PROSTHETIC MAKE-UP (COMPETITIVE)
19. BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK (COMPETITIVE)
20. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS (VFX) (COMPETITIVE)
21. BEST POETRY (COMPETITIVE)
22. BEST SPOKEN WORD (COMPETITIVE)
23. BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY (COMPETITIVE)
24. BEST CELL PHONE / TAB MOVIE  (COMPETITIVE)
25. BEST INSPIRATIONAL / CHRISTIAN FILM (COMPETITIVE)
26. BEST INSPIRATIONAL / MUSLIM FILM (COMPETITIVE)
27. BEST 3D MOVIE (COMPETITIVE)
28. FILMS MADE BY A CHILD DIRECTOR AGED 7 - 15 (COMPETITIVE)
29. BEST FILM MADE "FOR KIDS" - By Any Filmmaker (COMPETITIVE)
30. BEST AFRICAN ANIMATION (COMPETITIVE)
31. BEST 360 Degree Video  (COMPETITIVE)
32. BEST ADVERT / COMMERCIAL  (COMPETITIVE)
33. BEST MOVIE BY AN AFRICAN FEMALE DIRECTOR / PRODUCER  (COMPETITIVE)
34. BEST REAL-TIME FESTIVAL MONTAGE (Shot by attending filmmakers throughout the festival & completed on the final day of the Festival, before the closing ceremony) (COMPETITIVE)

(d) CERTIFICATES FOR TEAMS AT THE REAL-TIME FILM CHALLENGE  (Variable each year)

1. Best TEAM (Innovation)
2. Best TEAM (Production ethics)
3. BEST TEAM (Deadline Record Time)
4. Best Behind the Scenes edit.
6. Best Production stills
7. Best Movie Title
8. Best Lead Actor in a Real-time challenge film
9. Best Supporting Actor in a Real-time challenge film
10. Best Lead Actress in a Real-time challenge film
11. Best Supporting Actress in a Real-time challenge film

(e) INDUSTRY SPECIALTY AWARDS / PLAQUES  (Variable each year)

1. AWARD FOR BEST STUNTS PERSON (Winner & First Runner-up )
2. AWARD FOR BEST REAL-TIME FILM PROJECT (First and Second Runners-up )
3. AWARD FOR BEST PROSTHETIC MAKE-UP SPECIALIST (First Runner-up )

(f) SPECIAL JURY MENTIONS (Variable each year)

1. Best Trailer
2. Best P & A and Merchandising
3. Best Technology - Production
4. Best Technology - Post Production
5. Fantastic Brand Support

(g) HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Honourable Mention films are those we greatly admire but are unable to screen due to logistical and scheduling challenges. However, they will receive recognition with certificates at the closing ceremony, but their screenings will not take place at physical venues during the festival.

Rules & Terms

1. By submitting to this festival, the submitter agrees that their film posters, still images, and pictures of the director/producer, as well as excerpts from the film, trailers, and teasers, may be used by the festival organisers for promotional purposes. Project files submitted are archived for library use unless a filmmaker specifies otherwise, in which case the file is deleted immediately after its festival screening.

2. We honestly aren't keen on showcasing films that are already accessible to the public on YouTube. Festivals are special events that bring audiences together to enjoy exclusive films. Our goal is to showcase films made by true Artists who cherish and understand the importance of festival screenings for their exclusive films. Think about it: if it's already accessible to everyone on YouTube, why should we dedicate time and resources to curate it specially?

3. Please note that all payments for in-competition submissions are non-refundable.

4. It is important to understand that RTF does not compensate filmmakers for screening their films. By submitting, filmmakers acknowledge they have read and agree to the festival's rules and terms.

5. As a festival, we are dedicated to showcasing selected films; however, we strictly DO NOT accept or screen any movies submitted outside the specified submission period for a particular edition (year). As a result, films submitted in a given year will not be showcased at our festival or associated events in the future, unless specifically requested for a special curated screening, or if it has been significantly modified. Honourable Mention films are those we greatly admire but are unable to screen due to logistical and scheduling challenges. However, they will receive recognition with certificates at the closing ceremony, but their screenings will not take place at physical venues during the festival.

6. We frequently use clips, stills, and photographs from submitted films for festival-related materials, including posters, banners, and digital displays, to promote and publicise the festival. Clips from submitted films, each limited to a maximum of 20 seconds, are used for promotional and publicity purposes. In addition, we do not offer payment for film screenings and only showcase films submitted directly by their creators.

7. We source screeners for selected films exclusively through FilmFreeway. If your movie is selected, please avoid providing download links. Make sure your movie is available for download on FilmFreeway, along with the trailer, poster, director's photo, and stills/frame captures.

8. All subtitled films must embed their subtitles directly into the footage to comply with our projection standards. Non-English films accompanied by separate subtitle files may not be screened if they fail to meet our submission criteria.

9. We are not responsible for arranging attendees' flights or accommodations. While we can help with logistics and offer insights, we do not fund trips to the festival's host city.

10. Film scheduling will prioritise attending filmmakers, and the hourglass award will only be presented to those present at the festival's conclusion. Filmmakers who were unable to attend but received awards will need to cover the combined cost of the trophy package and shipping if they wish to have it delivered to them.

11. Being there in person at RTF is rewarding! Beyond being organised by filmmakers who strive to ensure their peers feel valued and celebrated, RTF offers an additional incentive for attending in person. Every year, the festival jury reviews the competitive categories that received no submissions. At their discretion, they select a few films represented in person by the filmmakers and nominate them for consideration in these uncontested categories.

For submission-related inquiries, please email rtfcurator@gmail.com.

For official correspondence, please email rtfartisticdirector@gmail.com.

For logistics and attendance, please email rtfopslead@gmail.com
259 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Angeliki Pardalidou

    Amazing how close this festival was to all creators! We became a "family". I wish all the festivals to be so friendly to the artists!!! Keep up the great job and we will keep support you with our films!!!

    March 2026
    Helpful
  • mohammad rasai

    I hope you are healthy and happy. 💖❤️💚
    I am grateful to you and all the loved ones who were kind enough to make the short film Scorpio Embryos .
    At a time when I was not even allowed to work in my own country, you were kind enough to accept our presence and my prayers are with you. It is an honor to be with you.
    Wishing you and all the artists continued success for your festival.
    Thank you very much for making our film proud.
    Thank you realtime film festival 📸✌️💐🌹

    Mohammad rasai
    Scorpio embryos

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Zahra Shafiei dehaghani

    من از فستیوال محترم شما و دیدگاه حرفه ایی شما به فیلمنامه ام متشکرم ضمن قدردانی و تشکر از شما می خواهم از همینجا از استاد محمدعلی طاهری عزیز و گرامی قدردانی و تشکر کنم که هر چه دارم از اوست

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Anne Trenning

    100% a fantastic experience from start to celebration. Thank you for the hard work and effort on behalf of creative artists in film. We are grateful for your recognition of our message and enjoyed every minute of participating. Excellent!!

    October 2025
    Helpful
  • Georgios Iosefides

    Art is real with RTF

    October 2025
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