Liverpool Film Festival is excited to welcome submissions to one of the fasting growing independent film festivals in the world, taking place December 2024.

As always LIVIFF is looking to find the most bold and inventive stories that the independent film community has to offer, to screen in the birthplace of the Beatles and a city of rich culturally creative history and passion. With the ambition to match the city’s cool and artistic identity, LIVIFF is an international film festival with credibility and integrity and is a proud associate of The Manchester film festival.

LIVIFF2024 will welcome the best and up and coming filmmakers from around the world to showcase their work on the cinema screen that will provide the perfect platform to see the films how they are meant to be seen.

All films for the 2024 edition will be screened in cinemas with filmmakers being invited to attend and take part in post-screening Q&A’s, networking events and after parties.
LIVIFF is a festival that takes pride in providing a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work to the public and fellow filmmakers. LIVIFF looks to create a welcoming event that allows attending filmmakers the chance to get their art seen and their individual voices heard.

For a small taste of what to expect in 2024 please take a look at the photos and videos from previous festivals on the LIVIFF website where specially invited guests have included Otmara Marrero, Edi Gathegi, Shia LaBeouf, Oscar Isaac and many more.



All films in the official selection will compete for awards in the following categories.

Best Feature
Best International Short
Best UK Short
Best Documentary
Best Student Film
Best Experimental Film
Best Music Video
Best Animation
Best Uncommissioned Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
The Film of the Festival

LIVIFF is looking for independent feature-length and short films from around the world from any genre.

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

The 8th Liverpool Film Festival will take place from 12th December 2024.

1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from 24 October 2023
All submission deadlines are found within the FilmFreeway listing.
Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.

2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

3. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2022.
- Liverpool Film Festival requires at least a Liverpool premiere for all films.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

4. Premiere Status
- Liverpool Film Festival requires at least a Liverpool premiere for all films. All films may have screened at other festivals but just not have screened in the Liverpool Region.
- There is no Premiere policy for Experimental Films and music videos.

5. Film Classification
All films screened during the Liverpool Film Festival receive an age rating of 18 plus.

6. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for Liverpool Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

7. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from Liverpool Film Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Liverpool Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Liverpool Film Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

8. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

9. Notification
Liverpool Film Festival endeavours to complete all selection procedures by November 4th 2024 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

10. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4).in order to be screened at the Liverpool Film Festival. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.
A selected DCP or video file must be received at Liverpool Film Festival no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date.

11. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Liverpool Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Liverpool Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Liverpool Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

12 - Due to the unprecedented and ongoing problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to change the festival to a geo-blocked virtual online festival if it is not possible to host the event in a physical venue for whatever reason.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN LIVIFF:

By submitting to the Liverpool Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of LIVIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise LIVIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during The Liverpool Film Festival 2024 festival. I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the LIVIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold LIVIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to LIVIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2024 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2024 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify LIVIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Charlie Lyon Budden

    Thank you so much to the whole LFF team for spending the time to watch and review my film 'Oh, Little Spark!' and for giving me a platform to show my film to the world. I am delighted to have won Best Student Film at your festival and I will be submitting again with my future projects!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Our pleasure, Charlie! Was a pleasure having you there!

  • Heléna Antonio

    A beautiful Festival where the organisers truly care about filmmakers and indie films.
    I really felt in the right place.
    I am honoured that my film ‘2020’ won ‘Best Experimental Film’ as the selection of films was incredible!
    Thank you so much Al, Rob, Clara and whole Team for organising this wonderful and genuine Festival.
    I do look forward to submitting my next films to your Festival!

    November 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much! Our pleasure!

  • A fantastic Film Festival focused on celebrating the craft of honest filmmaking! As a filmmaker I feel at home right away. We always had a wonderful time and we are honoured to have been awarded Best Music Video twice!

    January 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Richly deserved!

  • Sandra Leuba

    A fabulous festival where the organizers are really invested in the filmmakers and films they select. careful attention to detail. Many thanks to Artistic Director Al Bailey and team.

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Absolute Pleasure, Sandra!

  • Joel Tauber

    A wonderful festival! A joy to participate in it!

    December 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Joy to have showcased your film, Joel.