INTRODUCTION

View the LIFF 2023 highlights video:

We are delighted to accept submissions for the 38th Leeds International Film Festival, 1 to 17 November 2024.

The world's first moving images were filmed in Leeds in 1888 by Louis le Prince. Today Leeds is a major European centre for film production and exhibition, the home of Screen Yorkshire, and the new home for the UK's leading independent TV company Channel 4.

Founded in 1987 and now one of the UK's leading annual film events, the Academy Award, BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) primarily supports the work of new filmmakers from the UK and across the world, with 82 countries represented in 2023. We present the LIFF Feature Film Competition and seven competitions in our LIFF SHORTS section for short films with total cash prizes of £6000.

QUOTES ABOUT LIFF FROM FILM INDUSTRY AND PRESS

'Leeds International Film Festival has been key in the support and promotion of international filmmakers, including myself, throughout its history. The quality of films and commitment to film makers has been paramount to the success of the festival' - Francis Lee, British filmmaker and writer/director of God's Own Country and Ammonite

'I had a great time in the jury at LIFF. The general standard of the films selected was exceptional and the screenings where well curated. The festival team was very organised and friendly and took great care of the guests at the festival. I would go back any day.' - Niclas Gillberg, Director of Uppsala International Short Film Festival

'The programme continues to prove Leeds has one of the most diverse selections on offer at any British film festival.' – Huffington Post

'I loved being on the jury for the International Short Film Competition, the quality of the films was sky high, we had such a blast discussing them!' – Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama Channel 4

'Finding an obscure film at a festival is always enjoyable, yet the particular high standard of selection at Leeds Film Festival made the entire festival played out like a habitual uncovering of hidden gems.' – Little White Lies

'Leeds International Film Festival is a glorious celebration of world cinema, which brings a stellar blend of old and new movies to an increasingly global city. It’s expertly run, brilliantly staffed and, above all, perfectly programmed. A fantastic fortnight.' – Subtitled Online

'Every city should have a film festival like Leeds.' – Ken Loach, multi-award-winning British filmmaker

LIFF 2024 PROGRAMME SECTIONS

1) Official Selection & Feature Film Competition
Official Selection is the main section at LIFF for new narrative features. Official Selection includes the Feature Film Competition for British and international filmmakers whose work has not been represented in the UK before, including from new filmmakers.

2) Cinema Versa
Cinema Versa is the home of outstanding documentary filmmaking at LIFF. Screenings take place both in cinemas and unconventional venues across the city, often featuring live performances, guest interviews and debates.

3) Fanomenon
Fanomenon is the UK’s leading celebration of ‘fantastic’ genre filmmaking with an extensive programme of new features and shorts, with horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action, comedy, animation, thriller films and much more.

4) LIFF SHORTS 2024
We love short films at LIFF and we present an extensive selection every year, with 130 chosen for all programme sections in 2023. LIFF SHORTS includes seven competitions with cash prizes totalling £6000: two Academy Award-qualifying competitions - Louis le Prince Short Film Competition (narrative and documentary) and World Animation Competition; British and Yorkshire short film competitions; and competitions for Screendance, queer short films, and music videos. British shorts selected for LIFF will be considered for nomination for the BAFTAs and BIFAs.

5) LIFF 2024 Spotlights
Every year we focus on particular filmmaking themes. Previous spotlights have included: Cinema Amour, celebrating passion for cinemas and film; Women Creators of the Future, a focus on new films by and about African women presented in partnership with the Films Femmes Afrique festival in Senegal; Disability Futures, a focus on disability and new technology in films; and One Love from Jamaica, a celebration of Jamaican film from the past and present.

Awards & Prizes

FEATURE FILM COMPETITION AND AUDIENCE AWARDS AT LIFF 2024

The LIFF 2024 Feature Film Competition in Official Selection supports British and International filmmakers whose work has not been represented in the UK before, including features from new filmmakers. The competition is judged by a jury and winning filmmaker receives the Golden Owl Award for Best Feature Film. We also present the LIFF Audience Awards for all new selected features.

SHORT FILM COMPETITIONS AT LIFF 2024

LIFF is a qualifying film festival for the Academy Awards, the BAFTAs, and the British Independent Film Awards. The winning shorts in the Louis le Prince International Short Film Competition and World Animation Competition will be considered for nomination for the Academy’s Short Film Awards. British shorts selected for any programme at LIFF will be considered for nomination for the BAFTA Short Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards.

The following cash prizes will be awarded to the short film competition winners:

Louis le Prince International Short Film Competition - £2000
World Animation Competition - £1000
British Short Film Competition - £1000
Yorkshire Short Film Competition - £500
Leeds Screendance Competition - £500
Leeds Queer Short Film Competition - £500
Leeds Music Video Competition - £500

WINNERS OF THE LIFF 2023 COMPETITIONS AND AUDIENCE AWARDS

Feature Film Competition: Toll, directed by Carolina Markowicz (Brazil, Portugal)
Louis le Prince International Short Film Competition: Cross My Heart and Hope to Die, directed by Sam Manacsa (Philippines)
World Animation Competition: 27, directed by Flóra Anna Buda (France)
British Short Film Competition: Half-Way, directed by Alfie Barker (UK)
Yorkshire Short Film Competition: F.O.G., directed by Malinda Kaur (UK)
Leeds Screendance Competition: Dear Passengers, directed by Madli Lääne (Estonia)
Leeds Queer Short Film Competition: An Avocado Pit, directed by Ary Zara (Portugal)
Leeds Music Video Competition: CREMANTIQUE - Shjrunken Heads, directed by Remy Powell Lamont (UK)

Audience Award for Best Fiction Feature: Goodbye Julia, directed by Mohamed Kordofani (Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, Egypt)
Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature: Tish, directed by Paul Sng (UK)

Rules & Terms

CATEGORIES AND CONSIDERATION

1) You only need to submit into one category. If your film is also eligible for consideration in other categories beyond the one you have submitted into, we will also consider it for those categories.

2) If your film is selected for a different category to the one you submitted into, we will request approval from you for this before confirmation.

3) All submissions are fairly considered by a broad team of programmers which will be expanded for LIFF 2024.

4) The date of entry bears no relation to the selection decision.

5) We regret we cannot give individual feedback on submissions.

ELIGIBILITY

6) Films must be submitted by midnight on 12 August 2024, and all submissions are final, no refunds are available.

7) Films must be completed after 1 January 2023 to be considered for the competitions.

8) If you have more than one film to submit, you may be eligible for fee discounts for multiple entries - please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk for more details.

9) We do not have a student short film competition but if your film school would like to submit multiple films they may be eligible for a discounted submission rate. Please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk

10) The duration for feature films is 41 minutes and over, and for short films 40 minutes and under. Submissions for the dance and queer shorts categories need to be 20 minutes or under.

11) For the music videos category, LIFF is only able to select submissions made with the permission of the artist whose music is featured.

12) For all submissions not in the English language, we ideally require embedded English closed captions or otherwise subtitles.

13) We can accept a work-in-progress submission - for example, where the final sound mix is not yet complete - but we would need to see a fully completed version of the film by the final deadline date of 12 August 2024.

14) If you have a film for children and families, it may be more suitable for our sister event Leeds Young Film Festival - please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk for more details.

PREMIERE POLICY

15) For the LIFF Feature Film Competition, we require a UK Premiere. For features not selected for our competition, we prefer a UK premiere where possible but it is not a requirement. Please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk if you would like clarification if your film has already screened or is going to be screened in the UK before LIFF 2024.

16) For short film competitions and other shorts programmes, we do not have a premiere policy.

SELECTED FILMS

17) If your submission is selected, you will be required to provide a DCP of your film. LIFF can help in the creation of a DCP which will be supplied to the filmmaker for a charge to cover the cost of making it.

18) All films will be required to provide a subtitle track or ideally closed captions to ensure our ongoing commitment to accessibility, though the LIFF team will be able to assist and provide facilities to help on this.

19) LIFF does not pay screening fees for submitted and accepted films, both in and out of competition.

20) Submission to LIFF is with the understanding that selection may be for any and all exhibition formats that constitute LIFF 2024, including screenings in cinemas and on Leeds Film Player – subject to approval from the submitting filmmakers.

21) Films selected for LIFF without a BBFC certificate are accessible for ages 18 or over, even if the content does not require it. This is because it is not possible to secure an individual certificate for every film we select from the local licensing authority. We do apply for exceptions for certain films.

22) If the fee is paid and you have completed the submission, you can relax! Follow us on social media @leedsfilmfest for updates. You will receive notification if your film is selected or not on 16 September 2024.

If you have any questions, please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk
40 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Brad Foster

    Great programming and overall festival, with a very supportive and communicative team.

    Amazing to see a festival of this stature showcase dance films, long may it continue!

    February 2024
    Helpful
  • Julien Allen

    We were delighted to screen at LIFF. Superb communication from the team.

    December 2023
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  • Sunita Soliar & Statten Roeg

    Leeds is an amazing festival. The team were incredibly kind and looked after us so well. There were loads of events put on for the short film makers, which were all very fun. Everyone was friendly and we met some interesting people. It was great to have Spoor shown on such a lovely screen in an Everyman cinema and especially exciting as the festival is popular locally so it was a full house! Leeds is also a lovely, walkable city, with lots to do. Highly recommended.

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Oliver Asadi

    Experience an extraordinary festival featuring an exceptional array of films, showcasing talent both locally and globally! The entire staff, including the dedicated volunteers I interacted with, were not only kind but also incredibly helpful.

    Having been a volunteer in previous years, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for being chosen to participate in the 2023 Music Video Competition.

    November 2023
    Helpful
  • Peter Beatty

    Fantastic, inspiring festival - thanks so much for including Tell Me Where To Go in your 2023 programme - was a real honour to be a part of this year's festival and to know it was being screened to the LIFF audience. A wonderful festival to work with and to be a part of.

    November 2023
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