Leeds International Film Festival

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 one of the UK's leading film events, Leeds International Film Festival is renowned as a dynamic event with a reputation for challenging and innovative programming.

A qualifying event for both the Academy Awards and BAFTAs, LIFF presents eight national and international competitions for short films with total cash prizes of over $6000.

Due to Covid restrictions LIFF 2020 took place online with over 250 features and shorts screening on the Leeds Film Player. See the highlights video from LIFF 2019:

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, Director of Ammonite and God's Own Country

'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, Festival Director, Uppsala International Short Film Festival

'Every city should have a film festival like Leeds.' – Ken Loach, leading UK filmmaker

'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

LIFF programme sections (full details of the LIFF 2020 film selection are on leedsfilm.com):

OFFICIAL SELECTION
Official Selection is the backbone of the Film Festival and the focal point for new fiction features from around the world. Premieres of exciting new talents emerging in world cinema are presented alongside an extensive panorama of new work from established directors.

LEEDS SHORT FILM AWARDS
LIFF provides a major platform for new and established short filmmakers to showcase their work. These are the LIFF short film competition winners from 2020:

Louis Le Prince International Short Film ($1300)
Winner: White Eye by Tomer Shushan (Israel)
Special Mentions: Benjamin, Benny, Ben by Paul Shkordoff (Canada) and
Good Night by Anthony Nti (Ghana)

World Animation Short Film ($1300)
Winner: Something to Remember by Niki Lindroth von Bahr (Sweden)
Special Mentions: Cosmonaut by Kaspar Jancis (Estonia) and
Empty Places by Geoffroy de Crécy (France)

British Short Film ($1300)
Winner: Our Sister (UK) by Rosie Westhoff
Special Mentions: Good Thanks You? (UK) by Molly Manning Walker and
Little Dog, Big Dog (UK) by Andrew Gillman and Natalie Ibu

Yorkshire Short Film ($660)
Winner: City Of Children (UK) by Arantxa Hernández Barthe
Special Mentions: Songs From Next Door (UK) by Phil Moody, Carolyn Edwards and Human Cockleshells (UK) by Tony O'Keeffe

Screendance Short Film ($660)
Winner: Zombies by Baloji (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Special Mention: Forest Floor by Robbie Synge (UK)

Leeds Queer Short Film Award ($660)
Winner: Bonde by Asaph Luccas (Brazil)
Special Mentions: Sylvie by Clem Hue (France) and
We Are Not Who They Say We Are by Manu Valcarce (UK)

International Music Video ($660)
Winner: Dansingas by Titas Sūdžius (Lithuania)
Special Mentions: Colors by Kristian Mercado (United States) and
Hand Solo by Sam Bailey (United Kingdom)

Leeds Short Film Audience Award
2019 Winner: Why Slugs Have No Legs by Aline Höchli (Switzerland)

FANOMENON
Fanomenon is the UK’s leading celebration of fantastic film with an extensive international programme of new and archive horror, sci-fi, fantasy and action films, featuring many special guest appearances. Fanomenon has three short film programmes:

• International Fantasy Short Film
• Dead Shorts
• Sci-Fi Shorts

CINEMA VERSA
Cinema Versa is the home of documentary filmmaking in LIFF with two leading themes: 'Music on Film' and 'Underground Voices'. Screenings take place both in cinemas and unconventional venues across the city, often featuring live performances, guest interviews and debates.

RETROSPECTIVES
LIFF has long been dedicated to celebrating film history, unearthing rarely screened classics from the archive and importing rare film prints from around the world.