"Championing female excellence in direction, the 225 Film Club is on a mission to support, promote and celebrate women in film." - FORBES.

Hello and welcome to 225 Film Club's festival submissions page. 2026 marks our second year listing on FilmFreeway.

Created in 2018 to promote female excellence in film direction, we are back for our 8th edition! We screen narrative and documentary short film work by women, non-binary and gender expansive filmmakers, and support our screening directors through facilitating introductions to successful producers and other seasoned industry members.

We screen drama, documentary, action, animation, comedy, fantasy, horror, sci-fi, thriller and more.

"An unforgettable experience" - Simin Zeng, Director "Arena"

"Festivals like this one have a different vibe - authentic, honest and just lovely"
- Tortor Smith, Director "Hot Mess"

“225 Film Club places so much value in the experience of the filmmaker, it’s extraordinary.” - Beth Park, Director "Wild Animal" & "Fishwife"

“The community that has been built past the event has been priceless and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to engage a wider audience in one of our earliest screenings”
- Ruby Phelan, Director "The Woman In The Wardrobe"

Screening at the world renown and iconic British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank on one of the best screens in the UK, 95% of our screening programme is selected from open submissions.

All submissions are viewed at least twice.

The Earlybird Submissions deadline is February 14 2026.

The Extended Submissions deadline is August 1 2026.

As revealed in FORBES, our new physical award "The Lioness" designed by Sculptor Caroline Wheaton is a “stylized torso rendered in copper and bronze akin to armour; a breastplate for the army of women directors who, through the 225 Film Club, will be recognised for their outstanding vision and skill.”

Founded by Filmmaker Rita Osei who served as Jury Chair for the 75th, 76th and 77th BAFTA British Short Film Award, this is a festival from filmmakers for filmmakers and audiences alike.

*NEW - FEATURE FILM LOG LINE COMPETITION* OPEN TO ALL!

Submit a 30 word or less Log Line.

A 100 word or less Story Synopsis, and a key image of your vision.

Plus a short (2 minute max) video introducing yourself.

10 Long Listed projects will be invited to submit their Full Decks

5 Winners pitch their projects to Producer and Investor, Susan Simnett

Susan’s EP credits include 2026 Cannes Directors Fortnight title “La Libertad Doble/Double Freedom”, "Apart" the new feature from "Find Me Falling" director Stelana Kliris, “The Education of Jane Cumming”, 2026 Berlinale Silver Bear Winner “Everybody Digs Bill Evans”, “Brides”, “Chuck Chuck Baby”, and 2026 Sundance World Documentary Special Jury Prize Winner “Everybody to Kenmure Street”

225 Film Club Festival is supported by the BFI.

225 Film Club is a member of BFI Film Audience Network.

225 Film Club is a member of Film Festival Alliance (FFA) and Association of Independent Film Festivals (AIFF).

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS

Best UK Short Film
Special Mention UK Short Film
Best International Short Film
Special Mention International Short Film
Audience Award

Rules & Terms

225 FILM CLUB TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 2026

We look forward to viewing and screening films which:

1. Promote Female Excellence in Film Direction. All films screened are directed by women, non binary and gender expansive film directors, or co-directed by a woman.

(NOTE. - Our Feature Film Log Line Competition is open to all genders)

2. SHORT FILMS - Run 30 minutes and under, inclusive of credits.

3. SHORT FILMS - Must be available to screen as a digital DCP.

4. SHORT FILMS - First screened after January 1 2024 are eligible.

5. CAPTIONS & SUBTITLES - Please ensure films Not In The English Language have English subtitles. We encourage English subtitles or Captions on all films.

6. AWARDS JURY - Our winners are chosen by an outstanding jury of Industry professionals.

Our previous jurors include Line Langebek, Writer of 2025 Oscar nominated feature film "The Girl With The Needle", Sire Ramos, Head of Development at Lipsync, Simon Young, Vice President EMEA Acquisitions Shorts TV and Shorts International, TriBeca Winning Writer/Director Abraham Adeyemi and Brenda Gilbert Vice Chair BANFF World Media Festival, Board Member at Film Independent and Producer of The Willoughbys.

7. By submitting to 225 Film Club you confirm that All Rights to the film are owned by you, the filmmakers, or are cleared to screen at 225 Film Club Festival. The primary contact must be authorised to submit the film.

8. We encourage submissions from female, non binary and gender expansive film directors of all backgrounds.

9. Entry fees are non refundable. Once a film has been accepted into the Official Selection program, it can no longer be withdrawn.

10. SELECTION AND SCREENING

We announce Long Listed projects prior to announcing the Official Selection.

We will contact all submitters and will detail our screening material requirements directly with filmmakers once the Official Selection has been announced. They will include the standard DCP, 3 x high res production stills, a short biog and a head shot of the film's Director.

"Every December, the teams behind the shortlist come together to watch the movies, mingle, meet, make connections and enjoy their moment in the limelight. For many of the directors and producers this is the first time they’ll have work shown in the iconic BFI." - FORBES.

By submitting to the festival you, the filmmaker and rights owner, authorise 225 Film Club to use press materials, posters, promotional materials and to exhibit your film on a specified date.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Isra Al Kassi

    Attending 225 Film Club as a director was a thoughtful and grounding experience. To screen The Medallion at BFI, alongside such an eclectic selection of films, felt genuinely meaningful. It's a festival that adds texture to the contemporary film conversation, and one I’d highly recommend engaging with, whether on screen or in the audience. - Ruth Hunduma, Director "The Medallion" - Winner Best International Short Film 2025

    225 Film Club is more than a film festival, it’s a movement. As a producer, I’ve had the opportunity to attend festivals around the world with our film The Medallion, but this experience stands out as one of the most meaningful on our festival journey. - Tolu Stedford, Producer "The Medallion" - Winner Best International Short Film 2025

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    "The Medallion" is essential viewing. Congratulations again and thank you for your wonderful review! We are excited to see what you make next.

  • Cat White

    225 Film Club is exceptional in every single way. It is more than a festival, it is a community. Rita goes above and beyond to ensure that communication is exceptional, the films look beautiful on the big screen at the BFI and everyone leaves feeling thoroughly celebrated!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your wonderful review! We are excited to see what you make next, and hope to welcome you back for a 4th year!

  • Sofian Chouaib

    I'm very happy that our short film Ya Hanouni received a special mention in the 225 film club festival! Although we couldn’t attend in person, we truly appreciate the communication and the professional of the team. Thank you for this recognition, and I'm wishing you all the best for the future!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Your poignant film opened our festival. Thank you for your lovely review. We are excited to see what you make next, and hope to meet you both in person.

  • Naomi Waring

    This festival was brilliant, a truly special evening with great programming, amazing vibes, and lots of networking and opportunities have come from it. I couldnt recomend it enough.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Huge congrats again on winning our Audience Award and Thank you for your lovely review. We are excited to see what you make next!

  • Stephanie Paris

    Thrilled to have been chosen to this awesome festival. They are communicative, kind, thoughtful and keep people informed about schedule, social media posts and photos. Grateful to have been included in it and highly recommend to others!

    December 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Your film takes horror to another level, it was an honour to screen it. Thank you for your lovely review. We are excited to see what you make next, and hope to meet you in person.