"The festival was a revelation. The scope and quality of films, workshops and networking opportunities were truly splendid. It's busy, it's exciting, it's thrilling. Organised to a fine detail, the SEIFF is a filmmaker's dream. One of the best in the UK." Dave Gilbank, Polterheist

MISSION

SEIFF is a true celebration of independent film which brings together filmmakers, film shakers and the movie-going public in a warm, convivial environment.

With a focus on increasing opportunity for independent filmmakers, SEIFF looks to promote and exhibit exceptional work by creatives from around the globe and help them make valuable connections - while increasing the audience for their work. SEIFF is more than just a film festival, it's an unforgettable experience for all involved, making SEIFF an essential industry event.

A multi-award-winning jury panel including BAFTA/Oscar/Emmy winners, agents and producers, all official selections meet at our invite only networking event and will receive a full festival pass.

SEIFF is an IMDB listed event and all award-winners will be listed on IMDB with an accompanying review.

Winners in unproduced screenplay categories will receive a prize InkTip script listing to their network of producers and reps.

NEW FOR THIS YEAR

SEIFF in 2019 now accepts web series and also this year will present an award for best Canadian film. All official selections get an invite to our private festival networking event with industry alumni and judging panel.

THE INDUSTRY

SEIFF presents a diverse programme of only the highest quality independent feature films, animation, documentaries, short films and web series from all around the world.

SEIFF looks to make important discoveries of upcoming directors, actors, writers and all those involved in the filmmaking process, ensuring it’s a renowned and valued platform for both undiscovered talent and respected industry peers alike.

Our key objective is for SEIFF to be seen as a mark of quality and a SEIFF award to be a stamp of recognition and true validation.

With a large number of exceptional films being made that struggle to gain attention but deserve to be seen by critics, agents, peers and film lovers, SEIFF aims to bring to the festival the most superlative and creative films. SEIFF prioritises making the festival an attractive destination for agents, critics, investors and other career-makers.

The festival includes networking, Q&As, screenings, social events and special guests.

Our closing annual awards ceremony at the world famous Queen's Stand, Epsom Racecourse, gives recognition to the best talent in front of and behind the camera with a gala ceremony open to filmmakers and the public.

WOMEN DIRECTORS

SEIFF is particularly keen to promote the work of women filmmakers and includes a special award for women directors. Women directors in all film categories are eligible.

EPSOM

Epsom is an area steeped in history which is just a 30 minute train ride from London. Home to Epsom Racecourse and the world’s most famous horse race, The Derby (where Emily Davison famously took a fatal stand for the suffragette movement in 1913), it is a former spa town which gives its name to Epsom Salts. With proximity to London a key factor (in terms of accessibility to the industry), as well as the importance of available venues, hospitality and great food, Epsom is a vital gateway.

Awards & Prizes

AWARDS CEREMONY

The annual red carpet awards event rewards excellence in the following categories with all submissions judged by a panel divided equally between industry professionals and local filmgoers to ensure a wholly fair and balanced critical process:

Best British film
Best Canadian film
Best documentary
Best animated film
Best foreign film
Best first time feature
Best student film (any film category)
Best Surrey film (any film category)
Best director
Best female director
Best music video or experimental film
Actor in a leading role
Actress in a leading role
Actor in a supporting role
Actress in a leading role
Cinematography
Sound
Editing
Original score
Make up
Costume
Original Screenplay
Short screenplay
TV Pilot
Web series
People's Choice

All films, scripts and screenplays officially selected will receive the festival's Official Selection laurels to display on any artwork. Award winners will receive awards laurels and the SEIFF trophy.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

All official selections will receive one free festival pass and a ticket to the red carpet awards ceremony, as well as an invitation to the networking party with the judging panel and other industry alumni. Any additional team members wishing to attend will be required to purchase a festival pass and closing ceremony tickets.

TROPHIES

Trophies will be presented at the closing awards ceremony. Trophies will be sent at the festival's expense to any winners not able to attend.

PRINTED BROCHURE

All films officially selected will be screened at the festival and will be featured in the printed festival brochure. A complimentary copy of the festival brochure will be given to all team members at the festival or sent to the representative of each film, script, or screenplay featured in the brochure as officially selected for those unable to attend.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

Satisfied Eye International Film Festival (SEIFF) accepts:

Feature films, short films, animated films, documentaries, foreign language films, screenplays (feature, short, and TV pilot) and web series.

To be considered a feature, a live action fiction film must be at least 65 minutes and an animated feature at least 40 minutes - including titles.

To be considered a short, a live action or animated fiction film must be no longer than 35 minutes - including titles.

To be considered for the documentary awards, the completed feature-length documentary must be at least 45 minutes long and a short no longer than 44 minutes.

Only films completed after 1 January 2017 will be considered for competitive sections.

Films which have screened at other festivals ARE eligible for consideration.

Films in a language other than English MUST include subtitles in English, embedded. Separate subtitle files such as .srt are not eligible.

EVENT DATES and VENUE 2019

11-13 October
Epsom Playhouse
Epsom
Surrey
United Kingdom

REQUIRED for SUBMISSION

Submissions must include:

Submission fees paid through FilmFreeway

All required fields on online platform plus the following documents submitted via FilmFreeway:

Synopsis (in English)

4 high resolution stills from the film

Full cast and credits list

Official film poster

Online screener (with English subtitles if in another language)

SUBMISSION SCREENING FORMAT

SEIFF only accepts online screeners via FilmFreeway for the selection panel to view.

FESTIVAL SCREENING FORMAT

If selected, successful applicants must make a high quality screening version available to the festival. Depending on the format, this can be either a downloadable online file (via Vimeo, WeTransfer or Dropbox) or some form of physically posted media such as a blu-ray disc or USB flash drive. All physical media will be returned if required.

Eligible formats are:

Blu-ray disc
MP4 or AVI.

Other formats may be allowed by direct negotiation with the artistic director. Please check with us first before submitting if this might an issue.

PAYMENT

All payments and fees for submissions must be paid through the online submission process. SEIFF does not accept any mailed payments.

Absolutely no refunds.

SCREENPLAY ENTRIES

SEIFF also accepts feature and short screenplays for competition, as well as scripts for unproduced TV pilot episodes. Non-scripted treatments are not accepted. Screenplays are accepted in all genres. Writers may enter multiple screenplays but each must be submitted separately. Upon acceptance, a maximum of one screenplay per writer will be selected for festival. Feature film screenplays must be 70 pages or more.
Short film screenplays must be 20 pages or less.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS (all films)

Upon acceptance as an Official Selection entry at the SEIFF, each participant is required to comply with the following:

All Official Selections must submit a suitable screening version
All screening and supporting material must be available for download or physically at the festival office by 30 September 2019.
All physical media sent must include title, director’s name and contact information.
Applicants are wholly responsible for ensuring safe delivery of physical media and SEIFF can take no responsibility for non delivery or items damaged in transit.

USAGE AGREEMENTS

By entering the SEIFF, applicants agree that the organisers of the festival are granted the right to utilize any excerpt from any film submitted for exhibition at the festival for promotional purposes.

SUBMISSION RELEASE AGREEMENT

By submitting to SEIFF through FilmFreeway, applicants are deemed to have accepted and in effect 'signed' and subscribed to the following:

- I have read, understood, and complied with all eligibility and submission requirements.
- All the statements and documents provided are authentic and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
- In consideration for the selection opportunity into the SEIFF, I release and discharge the SEIFF from any and all claims, demands, or causes of actions related to misappropriation or infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising from or relating to my submission hereunder.
- I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the SEIFF from any claims that arise as a result of my film submission or screening of my film (upon selection) or my screenplay as well as from damage to or loss of any submitted documents or materials en route to the festival.
- I have all rights necessary and am duly authorized to submit this film and/or screenplay to the SEIFF.
- I understand, as the authorized and responsible representative of my selected film and/or screenplay, any prize awarded to the selected film and/or screenplayis to be received by me or any other singular, official representative of the selected film and/or screenplay.
- I understand that the SEIFF may disqualify and reject any submission that it determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with the mentioned Terms.
- I understand that the SEIFF does not issue any form of refund to any selected screenplay and film regardless of circumstances.

14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Serge Ioan Celebidachi

    A wonderful festival with wonderful people all dedicated volunteers with a big smile on h. In a time where the big block-busters are taking most of the theaters downtown and in the malls, it is festivals like these who can help the independent filmmakers to keep on making meaningful films. Please keep doing what you do and thank you for this memorable first edition!

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Tony Greengrass

    The organisers' commitment to feeding back to us filmmakers is very much appreciated - it is yet another feature of Satisfied Eye that has made it stand out from other festivals.

    After a year with our short film on the festival circuit, two film festivals have stood head and shoulders (and a bit of torso, to be honest) above the rest. Engagement with filmmakers, regular exchange of information, promotion, and bringing filmmakers and audiences together in an atmosphere of friendship - all these are factors in which this festival has scored heavily, taking Satisfied Eye to share first place in my film festival affections.

    I will certainly be submitting future projects to Satisfied Eye and I hope they will achieve the standard needed to occasion my return to Epsom and to meet up again with you and Lorna.

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Anastasia Dyakova

    Although I was not able to attend the festival, I felt like I was there. The communication was on the highest standard. I got a real people feedback about my film which was overwhelming. Thank you for your work, all the best with your next project. Guys, you did awesome.

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Ben Adam-Harris

    A warm and friendly festival that was very welcoming.

    November 2018
    Helpful
  • Marat Narimanov

    I could not attend, but from the distance it looks like a Fantastic festival!
    Nice selection of films, superb communication. After the festival they took time to write each of the filmmakers a personal e-mail about the festival and about the audience - how the audience accepted your film, quoting the audience comments. So far it's the only festival that took each filmmakewr so personally. Thanks a lot!

    November 2018
    Helpful