The Liverpool Underground Film Festival is an annual film festival, culminating in a week-long festival program in Summer.

The festival seeks to showcase daring, unique, and entertaining independent films that transgress convention while challenging complacent audience expectations. We are committed to supporting filmmakers working outside of established industry infrastructures by providing a platform for exhibition and critical discussion, while fostering an alternative, international community based around independent and experimental cinema.

Awards & Prizes

Annual Competition

The Underground Award
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Lockdown Film
Best Director
Best Actor/Actress
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Screenplay 

Each winner will receive a certificate, and will be showcased in our blog and podcast.

What we want to avoid is sending out a list and leaving it there. We will discuss and review chosen films and the impact they've had on us. The goal is to put a spotlight on the chosen work.

Rules & Terms

By submitting your film, take note that:

- Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee.
- Submissions has to be in English or in English subtitles, unless it's not essential for the comprehension of the film.
- Submissions must be submitted on FilmFreeway by an online password-protected streaming URL (such as Vimeo)
- Works in progress must be completed by the end of May. You must let us know in your cover letter if it is a work in progress.
- You agree for us to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose.
- Entry fees are non-refundable. You understand if you are not selected, your entry fee will not be reimbursed.
- The film must have been completed after January 2021.
- It will not be available online.
- Feature films must run over 40 minutes
- Short films must be less than 40 minutes
- If selected, your exhibition copy is required by 10th August 2022.
- We prefer your press kit and all your materials to be sent online, but if not please note all shipping costs to and from the office will be covered by the entrant.
- It is the participant's responsibility to ensure the rights to their films are cleared for the festival. The festival will not be held liable for any issues or lawsuits regarding any films that are entered into the festival.
- The festival will make sure to take care of all materials belonging to the entrants, but will not be responsible for any damages.

9 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Mark Solter

    The creators of Fear Abides, Nightly Glistens are honoured to have been a part of LivUnderFilm 2022 and to have received a nomination for Best Cinematography. We appreciate Richard Weston’s, Laurence Thompson’s, Neil Perriam’s, and Keith Thompson’s top-tier support. An exceptional festival experience and podcast too!

    September 2022
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  • Emma Waters

    Livunderfilm are passionate about film and take the time to generate opportunities to connect. Their awards podcast is a valuable appraisal of finalists work in a conversational review format. Love the Liverpudlian accent too - bonus!

    September 2022
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  • Sofia Rudi

    I was so honoured to be included in this years LivUnderFilm. What a lovely group of people that have their love of film at the heart of everything. I would love to work with them again in the future and recommend to any young filmmaker/student to submit your work as they see the potential in little projects x

    September 2022
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  • MingYu Lee

    honoured to be part of it. Great festival, thank you.

    September 2022
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  • Casey Jackson

    This is a fantastic young festival. Richard Weston (Festival Director) and Laurence Thompson (Artistic Director) did an outstanding job curating the online festival experience. We had a great time. Highly recommend.

    September 2022
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