THE SMOKIES film festival is now in its 6th successful year.
Held every year and including features, shorts, documentaries, screenplays and micro-short films.
After a short break, we are back with a new submission deadline.
We are looking to build on our passed record-breaking submissions.
The aim is to screen films and at the same time inspire filmmakers to continue in the industry.

100% of the profit raised will be used to enable MediCinema to continue its pioneering work – enabling patients and their families to feel better with film.

MediCinema are so proud to have the support of the Smokies Film Festival!
All submissions should be proud of the work produced and we are so glad to be discussing MediCinema with those who understand the power cinema and film have on your mental wellbeing.

https://donorbox.org/smokies-film-festival

They do this by building, installing and running state-of-the-art cinemas in hospitals and other places of care. Their MediCinemas are fully equipped with the latest technology, including Dolby surround sound, RealD 3D technology and large silver screens, and they use the same architects and suppliers as those used by mainstream cinemas so they look and feel like any other cinema. Thanks to the support of the film industry, they show current releases so patients don’t have to miss out on seeing the latest blockbusters just because they are in hospital. Many patients comment that this helps break the ice with friends when they visit, as it gives them something other than their condition to talk about.

medicinema.org.uk

Current judges...
Philip Kempson... Festival director.
Ray Johnson MBE...
Darren Teale MBE...
Robin Shelby...
Sean Spence...
Carly Street...

REVIEW'S 2018...

“I had the privilege to attend this relatively new film festival and meet a few Film & TV industry professionals. The weekend was full of exciting presentations where we were immersed in the guests’ work and experiences. Very informative, inspiring, and a lot of fun! Also watched many brilliant new films, works from regional filmmakers celebrating a diverse range of subjects and genres. In the last couple of years, this festival has exponentially grown in film submissions, featured industry guests, and a growing audience. A great experienced and hardworking team behind The Smokies Film Festival UK and can’t wait for next year's festival event in Stoke, which is practically around the corner from the train station. Thank you, Philip, and his team for this creative platform"
Harrington Day.
*****

"A fantastic festival with a great range of events and talks. A great opportunity for filmmakers to further their craft and have their work showcased. Will definitely be applying again next year."
David L Knight.
*****

"Absolutely fantastic opportunity for aspiring and successful filmmakers, and their crews to show just what can be done! Really enjoyed it!"
Jo Meek.
*****

"A great event for local filmmakers to showcase their work"
Paul Downey.
*****

Awards & Prizes

Best 72-hour challenge film.
Best Feature-Length Film.
Best Short Film,
Best Micro Short,
Best Documentary,
Best Mobile Phone film,
Best Screenplay,

SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Practical F/X,
Best Actor/Actress.
Other categories T.B.A

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

72-hour challenge... must be no longer than 5 mins.
You must be a student of Staffordshire University or City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.

Feature film...It must be longer than 72 mins.

Short film.......It must be longer than 3 mins but less than 72 mins.

Micro Short... Must be under 3 mins.

Documentary...Must be between 20 mins & 120 mins.

Mobile Phone...Must be filmed on a mobile phone and be between 5 mins & 120 mins.
10% of total footage may be aerial footage shot with drones.

Screenplay... Must be a scheduled film project.

Practical F/X... Any f/x within your film using no digital f/x.

Actor/Actress...The best actor/actress across all categories, (excluding Documentaries )

More Guidelines T.B.A.

Submissions must be sent via the FilmFreeway site.

Any genre is accepted. However, any film containing a strong adult element (Sex, Gore, Drugs & Violence) may be rejected.

All submissions are required to pay an entry fee. (This must be paid before you submit or our judges will not view your film for consideration in the final).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Our terms and conditions apply to all competitions unless otherwise stated.
By entering THE SMOKIES film festival you agree to the following conditions:

Entrants must be 18 years or over.

The organizers reserve the right to amend the end date at any time.

Competition finalists/winners will be notified after the closing date.

By entering the competition, the winner agrees to participate in the promotional activity where required.

Prizes are non-transferable to another person.

No cash alternative is available.

If the advertised prize becomes unavailable the organizers reserve the right to offer an alternative prize of equal or higher value.

By entering competitions, you agree to be contacted for promotional purposes.

No personal data will be shared with third parties unless stated otherwise.

The organizers reserve the right to amend or withdraw competitions at any time.

Competitions hosted on social media are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook or Twitter.

You agree to submit contributions which are your own original work. You must be the copyright holder. You must not violate, plagiarise, or infringe any copyright, trademark, trade secrets, privacy, publicity, or personal or proprietary rights.

If you submit a contribution, you agree to allow the organizers to use the material in your contribution in any way it may reasonably choose on a free-of-charge basis in any media throughout the world.

Any copyright in your contribution will remain with you and this permission is not exclusive, so you can continue to use the material you contribute in any way, including allowing others to use it.
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nick Woolgar

    The Smokies is run by passionate and conscientious people who make sure that submitting filmmakers feel engaged and appreciated. A relatively new festival but one with a very bright future if this commitment continues, as I'm sure it will. We were delighted to be an Award Winner at this year's festival.

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your glowing review, Nick, Truly appreciated.

  • Annabel Vine

    A great film festival that celebrates film in all its lengths. Truly Indie. Because of Covid we were unable to attend, but if you have a microfilm I highly recommend this film festival. Thanks for the award 🎬✨🎥.

    October 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your review Annable.
    Keep up your great work.

  • Laura Mahler

    Lovely little festival with great passion and organisation.
    Thank you so much for screening our little film & all the great communication and support around it. We were so disappointed not to make it this year, but we will try again as guests next year!

    September 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your lovely review, Laura.
    keep up with the fight on Plastics.
    Hope to see you next year.

  • Ty Primosch

    So grateful to THE SMOKIES! Philip and his team were fantastic throughout. The communication was absolutely top notch. I'm very proud to have been a part of it all!! Wonderful festival!

    September 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Ty, for your kind words and keep up the good work.
    Hope to see your great work in future film festivals.

    Regards.
    Phililp Kempson
    Director of The Smokies.

  • David L. Knight

    A fantastic festival with a great team behind it. Having had a film screened at the festival for the last two years, i can't recommend this festival enough. A great range of short films is always selected and its held in a great venue which is a stones throw away from the train station.

    Submit your films now.

    September 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you David for a fantastic review.
    Hope to see you next year.