Underdog Film Festival Wolfsburg

Underdog Film Festival is an annual competitive festival dedicated to the often unheard voices in motion pictures.

Focussed on films that were realised on a low or even micro budget, it is a festival that highlights the projects of filmmakers who are struggling to get their work seen. We are looking for a unique blend of arthouse narrative films and non-fiction projects and want to see courageous and innovative narratives that deserve to be experienced, discussed and promoted.
On that note we would like to kindly ask filmmakers to refrain from submitting experimental films. We simply don't have the capacity to include these (yet).

The festival has an annual structure and will include different types of film competitions as well as additional special events. First, the judges will privately review the submitted materials, then shortlisted films will be screened as part of our live screening schedule. Ultimately, judges will vote on the shortlisted films and the audience gets to vote via on-site ballots. Winners will be announced during our awards ceremony.

But above all the Underdog Film Festival is a place that wants to bring people together and give them a place where they can discuss the things they are passionate about. On that note, we hope to entertain you!

For our 1st year running we made the conscious choice not to have a feature competition, but to focus on the short form instead.
Now in our second year, we have slimmed down the general event, but have added a feature film competition. In the spirit of our mission statement, these have a maximum budget category.
Screenings will be separated into German screening blocks and international screening blocks. The jury will ultimately decide what category your film will be nominated in. This could be several categories, even if you enter your film in one category only.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENTER YOUR FILM INTO MORE THAN ONE CATEGORY! WE WILL CONSIDER YOUR PROJECT FOR ANY CATEGORY WHERE ALL CRITERIA IS MET.
There will be other crew and cast awards. To keep things simple and affordable we have only listed a small select list of categories here.

1- In order to submit a film, you must own the rights or have power of attorney from the owner.

2- All fees are non-refundable.

3- The Festival relationship will exclusively be related to the film submitter.

4- Maximum length allowed for shorts is 20 minutes. Minimum length for feature films is 60 minutes and a feature film's running time must not exceed 100 minutes.

5- Any Foreign film that is not in German or English must have English subtitles.

6- UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL and its affiliates will not be responsible for damaged copies.

7- A DCP, BlueRay or DVD copy of the film might be required for the screening.

8- A screening copy will be requested for the live Events with English and/or German subtitles.

9- Students must present a valid Student ID in order to receive our student discount.

10- Not all the submissions are selected for the Official Competition.

11- UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate.

12- Filmmakers must submit their project in any of the Official Competitions. All films submitted in any OFFICIAL COMPETITION will be considered in all Technical & Performance Categories with no extra cost.

13- A fee is required for the official Competitions Submission. For our payment structure visit FILMFREEWAY.COM

14- Submitting your film, you authorize UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills in our social media.

15- The applicants (submitters) must accept UNDERDOG FILM FESTIVAL’s Rules and Terms.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Robert Sladden

Really great festival! We were sadly unable to attend but the communication was great and they let us know how it went and so we felt very involved. Thanks so much for screening The Cutbacks!

March 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you for your kind words. Your film was certainly well-received and got quite a bit of applause from our rather reserved north German audience.
Rod Sáez Chávez

thank you very much for everything

March 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you for taking the time to review our little festival. "No Time for Rest" was very well received and certainly touched a nerve, especially with members of the jury and team who are also primary carers for a parent.
Marie Anhut

The communication was great and your team as well. I’d love to come back in the near future. Thank you so much for having us! Glad to be an underdog! :)

March 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you for your kind words, especially after those initial hiccups with your film. Audience and jury alike were impressed with your courageous creative choices.
Ulrich Faßnacht

Wonderful festival, nice people, we had a good time there

December 2023

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you. And our audience loved your cheeky little comedy.
Erik Sémashkin

Despite my short stay, I was able to enjoy the very good hospitality of the team and the very good selection of films. Thank you for selecting my film NATURE ATTACK.

August 2023

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you Erik. It was wonderful to have you and your film was still much talked about after the event.