INTRODUCTION
View the LIFF 2022 audience highlights video:
We are delighted to be accepting submissions for the 37th Leeds International Film Festival, 2 to 16 November 2023.
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. In 2023, Leeds will celebrate the city's culture in a major year-long festival.
Founded in 1987 and now one of the UK's leading annual film events, the Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) primarily supports the work of new filmmakers from the UK and across the world, with 78 countries represented in 2022. We present seven competitions for short films with total cash prizes of £6000 and the Leeds New Directors Competition for feature films.
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 2023 PROGRAMME SECTIONS
Official Selection 2023
Official Selection is the backbone of Leeds International Film Festival and the focal point for new fiction features from around the world. In 2022 we launched the Leeds New Directors Competition to celebrate new features by first and second-time filmmakers.
Leeds Short Film Awards 2023
We love short films at LIFF and we present an extensive selection every year, with 140 chosen for all programme sections in 2022. The main focus for short films at LIFF is the Leeds Short Film Awards which includes seven competitions with cash prizes totalling £6000.
Fanomenon 2023
Fanomenon is the UK’s leading celebration of ‘fantastic’ genre filmmaking with an extensive programme of new features and shorts covering horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action, comedy, animation, and much more.
Cinema Versa 2023
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.
LIFF 2023 Spotlights
Every year we focus on particular filmmaking themes, and for LIFF 2023 these will be confirmed in April. The spotlights for LIFF 2022 were: 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.
FEATURE FILMS AT LIFF 2023
The Leeds New Directors Competition in the LIFF Official Selection celebrates the work of first and second-time filmmakers. The competition is judged by a jury and winning filmmaker receives the Golden Owl Award for Best Feature. LIFF also has audience awards for all features across its programme selection.
SHORT FILMS AT LIFF 2023
LIFF is a qualifying film festival for the Academy Awards, the BAFTAs, and the British Independent Film Awards. The winning shorts in the Leeds 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:
Leeds 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
LIFF 2022 COMPETITION AND AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS
New Directors Competition (for first or second narrative features): I Have Electric Dreams, directed by Valentina Maurel (Costa Rica, Belgium, France)
Leeds International Short Film Competition 2022: The Voice Actress, directed by Anna J. Takayama (Japan)
World Animation Competition 2022: Steakhouse, directed by Špela Čadež (Slovenia, France, Germany)
British Short Film Competition 2022: The Bayview, directed by Daniel Cook (UK)
Yorkshire Short Film Competition 2022: Robin, directed by Tristan Shepherd (UK)
Leeds Screendance Competition 2022: Fragility of Language, directed by Nefeli Kentoni (Cyprus, UK)
Leeds Queer Short Film Competition 2022: Punch Line, directed by Becky Cheatle (Ireland)
Leeds Music Video Competition 2022: JNKYRD. JNKYRD ft. Ohhyuk, directed by Gyuri Cloe Lee (South Korea)
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature: The Blue Caftan, directed by Maryam Touzani (Morocco, France, Belgium, Denmark)
Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature: A Bunch of Amateurs, directed by Kim Hopkins (UK)