Now, TCFF is now running for it's 4th year - it's 2nd in Tauranga, New Zealand!

Originally founded in Hong Kong, it made a pledge to create a platform for independent film, to share stories that transcend lingual and cultural boundaries to connect human beings through the arts.

The Third Culture Film Festival is curated into themed blocks.

Preparing for TCFFNZ 2025! To be held March 7-9.

TCFF 2025 will be a film festival that has approximately 25 awards for short films, but for the first time - will be showing feature films outside of competition. The festival hosts panel speakers and networking events and encourages filmmakers to come, share their films, network with others and meet this growing film-loving community.

The TCFF will give awards

Best Narrative
Best Animation
Best Experimental
Best Documentary
People's Choice award
Spirit of New Zealand Award
Social Impact Award
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Animated Character
Best Director of Photography
Best Director
Best Editor
Best Sound Design
Best Music
Best Action Sequence
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design
Best Film Made For Games
Best Music Video
Under 25 Award
Outliers Award
The Teo Award

UNIQUE AWARDS

People's Choice award – This will be decided by the audience that attend the festival. Attendees of the festival will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film.

Spirit of New Zealand Award – Given to the film that best celebrates New Zealand in its own way whether it be location, style, humour, etc.

The Teo Award – This award is given by the festivals founder, to the film they wish to honour. It is to be decided after the other awards have been declared, this award will go to the film they feel deserves special recognition especially if it came close in several categories but yet did not win.

Best Animated Character - Not many film festivals have this category. We wish to honour the creativity of animators - they are not just technicians, but are also often the writers and directors of their movie. We are keen to celebrate originality and creativity.

Best Action Sequence - Even at the Oscars, stunt men and their choreographers are still not recognised. Especially in a city like Hong Kong, the home of Bruce Lee. With a strong background of action stars that perform their own stunts from Jackie Chan to Donnie Yen. We wish to celebrate these artists with this award. This award is not limited to fight sequences, but will include nominations from dance sequences and sports.

Social Impact Award - Given to the film that best makes a comment on society or a social issue.

Outliers Award - To be awarded to a unique film that deserves recognition for its originality, its shock factor, or its ability to make a lasting impression. A film that pushes boundaries and has qualities that are hard to quantify.

Best Experimental – Given to the best film that is purely visual, devoid of any narrative and often not figurative.

The award for 2017 & 2018 was designed by Faiyaz Jafri. The 2024 award designer is to announced per the winner of the competition.

DEADLINES

Deadlines are as follows:
Regular deadline: 23rd November 2024
Late deadline: 15th December 2024

For a greener planet, TCFF only accepts online submissions via FilmFreeway.com.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Language:
All non-English language entries must have English subtitles.

Screening or Rental Fees:
TCFF does NOT CONSIDER films that require SCREENING/RENTAL FEES.

Maximum running time, including credits: 25 minutes

Completion Date:
Projects submitted to the Festival must have been completed.
Works-In-Progress are not considered.

Film submitted to or selected at previous editions are not considered.

Premiere Status:
We would love to have TCFF NZ premieres, but it is not a requirement.

Independent Production:
Films produced, financed, or initiated by a major motion picture studio

Other screenings:
By submitting to the festival, you are automatically considered for any of the monthly screenings.

Rights and liability:
All entered films must be the original work of the author or authors. Multiple authorship allowed. TCFF and its organisers shall not be responsible directly or indirectly for any liability arising from any violation of any copyright laws.

TCFF is granted the right to use the submitted films and film stills for promotional purposes on the internet, television and other media. An excerpt of max. 10% of the length of each submitted film may be used for that purpose.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Josiah Clumont

    Fantastic Film Festival, loved the locations, it was run extremely well and enjoyed the vast selection of films shown. Looking forward to 2025

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for submitting and attending :)

  • An incredible festival experience! With each passing year, it's clear that this event is only going to soar higher. Absolutely amazing!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words! We hope to continue to improve and grow!

  • Thanks for selecting my short "I'm Okay..." for your recent festival! I'm so happy that my film had some screenings in my homeland NZ!

    March 2024
  • Joe Chang

    Fantastic Festival with excellent programming! My film Pray was screened this year! Thank you very much!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for sharing your film with us!

  • An awesome festival with incredible films and filmmakers! We are honored that our short film DEEP TROUBLE was a small part of it! Although we weren't able attend, we felt like we were included in the excitement and action via their excellent social media updates!! Highly recommended!!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for sharing your film - Deep Trouble is exactly the kind of film we loved showing to encourage the next generation of filmmakers.