Bolton International Film Festival

Terms:

1.) Entries in foreign languages must come with English subtitles.

2.) All entries must have been completed between 17th June 2024 and 17th June 2026

3. Digital marketing materials should be made available to be used for our marketing purposes by 17th June 2026 (Still image for website, brochure + optional trailer and poster). In the event that no images are provided to us, an image from the film will be selected by our team for the use on the website and catalogue.

4.) If you have entered your film previously to BFF please do not re-enter it.

5.) Please ensure you only submit your film once – there are no refunds for duplicate submissions, a single entry to the festival will suffice, there is no need to enter multiple categories.

6.) All submissions are final and there are no refunds. Films need to be submitted through FilmFreeway to be considered for inclusion.

7.) BFF has no premiere rules (including work online)

8.) Film-makers must include a brief synopsis of the film in no more than 150 words

9.) Provide at least one high resolution image on entry (1920 x 1080 or higher) for the use of Bolton Film Festival promotional brochures or publicity. More images for print are recommended so we have a choice.

10.) All entries must obtain the appropriate copyright clearances (i.e. music, archive footage, images, etc). Failure to do so will result in the entry being disqualified from the competition if we discover you do not have appropriate clearances.

11.) We will consider a Work in Progress version of your film, but the film must remain picture locked. Please include a cover letter making it clear the film is a work in progress and/or a credit at the beginning of the film with the words "Work in Progress". A final version of the film must be uploaded within 30 days.

12.) The selected entries will be screened during the Festival programme.

13.) Winners will be presented with their awards during the BFF Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the festival on Sunday 4th October 2026. There will be no prior notification of winners.

14.) The selection and scheduling of all films screened at Bolton Film Festival is entirely at the discretion of the Festival Director and the programming team. No refunds are possible after entering your work into the festival submissions process.

15.) The programmers and judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into with them about their decision making.

16.) The deadline for entries shall be midnight GMT 16th June 2026.

Conditions

To be considered for the "Made up North" categories the filmmaker should reside within the area defined by the BFI Film Hub North: https://www.boltonfilmfestival.com/madeupnorth
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To be considered for the "Community and Charity" category the film-maker and/or the group submitting the film should be part of a registered community group, a registered community enterprise group, a non profit or a registered charity group. Evidence supporting this claim should be provided in the form of a cover letter and/or supporting documents.

We only offer waivers for single entries if the applicant resides in one of the countries on the United Nations' list of Least Developed Countries: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/least-developed-country-category/ldcs-at-a-glance.html . We can respond to waiver requests by email until June 3rd 2026 at the latest.

The submitter of the film authorises Bolton Film Festival to exhibit the film if selected and confirm that an exhibition copy will be made available in a required format for screening during the 2026 festival.

The submitter certifies that they hold all the necessary rights and clearances for the submission of the film and the film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.

By Agreeing to these Rules and Terms, I transfer to the Bolton Film Festival 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 2026 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2026 festival.

I also acknowledges that the film submission fee does not guarantee acceptance and no refund will be provided if my film is not selected.

Upon acceptance, Bolton Film Festival will ask for my film in one of the following formats:

1) DCP preferred
2) Pro Res preferred
3) Minimum specifications 1920x1080 digital file, MP4, H264/H265

Our DCP partner is Cinebox, who we have negotiated generous rates with on behalf of our filmmakers. You will get a professionally made DCP which you can use for Bolton FF and all future screenings, ensuring your film is presented perfectly everywhere it goes.

If a selected filmmaker is unable to provide their film on DCP, then BFF will make a DCP transfer from a digital file. This DCP transfer is the property of BFF, and can be supplied to the filmmaker after the festival for a charge to cover the cost of making it.

If the filmmaker does not comply with the deadline to receive the film, the film can be pulled from the festival line up and replaced by another film and film-maker.