West Lothian Film Festival takes place in venues across the county and may take special screening events outside West Lothian for extended exposure for programmed submissions.

We showcase films from Scotland and beyond and host special screening events (SSE's), masterclasses and talks by Film & TV professionals.

Our aim is bring local and national films to West Lothian and those connected to West Lothian.

We celebrates independent film from all over our mission is to provide a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences in Scotland.

West Lothian has been used as a location in numerous film and TV shows including Hamlet, Silent Scream, Shallow Grave, Trainspotting and Trainspotting 2, The Acid House, Orphans, The Little Vampire, The Last Great Wilderness, Young Adam, The Jacket, Filth, Sunshine on Leith, Shetland, Under the Skin, Outlander, Belgravia, Outlaw King, Mary Queen of Scots, Anansi Boys, Lockerbie, The Princess Switch: Switched Again and The Princess Switch 3, Bade Miyab Chote, The Buccaneers, The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, Damaged, Good Omens 2 and 3, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,

West Lothian also is the home county for many well know people in the film and television industry:

Actors
- David Tennant: Born in Bathgate, he is iconic for his roles in Doctor Who, Broadchurch, and Good Omens.
- Isla Fisher: Lived in Bathgate from a young age until she was six years old before moving to Australia.
- Frankie Corio: Born in Livingston, she earned international acclaim for her lead role in the Academy Award-nominated film Aftersun (2022).
- Michael E. Rodgers: Born in Whitburn, he has appeared in The Triangle, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, and The Dentist.
- Andrew Fairlie: Born in Broxburn, he is a well-known actor from the sitcom Rab C. Nesbitt.
- Dom Fraser: Born in Livingston, he is cast in the upcoming prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood.
- Susan Boyle: Born in Blackburn, she is primarily a singer but has appeared in films like The Christmas Candle and Zoolander 2.
- Kerry McGregor: Born in Pumpherston, she was an actress and singer known for Grange Hill and The Book Group.
- Jean Bruce: Born in Uphall, she appeared in classic series like Killer, Z Cars, and Sutherland's Law.
- Laidlaw Dalling: Born in Bathgate, he was a guest actor in the original 1960s series of Doctor Who.
- Leon Jackson: Born in Whitburn, he is an actor and singer known for Live from Studio Five.
- Kim Calera: A fashion model and actress who has worked in Bollywood films and TV.
- Missy Malone: Born in Livingston, she is a burlesque performer and actress.

Directors, Writers & Production Talent
- Michael Caton-Jones: Born in Broxburn, he is a high-profile Hollywood director whose credits include Rob Roy, The Jackal, and Memphis Belle.
- Stephen Greenhorn: A West Lothian-born writer and producer known for Sunshine on Leith and Doctor Who.
- S. Michaela McCool: Born in Livingston, she is a visual effects professional who worked on Deadpool & Wolverine.
- James Keast: Born in Armadale, he was a costume designer for projects like The House of Eliott.
- Douglas Rankin: Born in Linlithgow, he was a producer and director known for the classic film Zulu.
- Andy Mooney: Born in Whitburn, he is a writer and composer known for Disney's Tinker Bell series.

If you have any questions, please email the team at hello@westlothianff.scot

Awards & Prizes

Category List - 11 Categories + Best of Festival Award

The Matt Farnham 'Best of Festival' Award

The Best of Festival Award is in honour of the person who inspired the idea of the festival and will forever be remembered for not only inspiring one student to make this festival a reality but for the thousands of students he inspired in almost 10 years at West Lothian College.

Filmmaking Excellence – 2
- Best Short Film
- Best Short Documentary

Craft - 3 Categories
- Best Director
- Best Soundtrack / Original Score
- Most Authentic Background

National Culture Awards - 3 Categories
- Best Gaelic Film
- Best of Home Nations
- Best of Celtic Nations

The Best Gaelic Film, Best of Home and Celtic Nations welcome submission from aspiring/early career and developed filmmakers are welcome to submit short and feature films.

National Student and Aspiring Filmmaker Awards - 3 Categories
- Best Student Film
- Best First-Time Director
- Best Young Person Film (15–26 years)

Rules & Terms

-----------------------
WLFF considers:
-----------------------
- Short Films (30 minutes or less, including titles and credits)
- Feature Films (all runtimes longer than 30 minutes but limited to 95 minutes, including titles and credits)

----------------------------
UK Premiere Status
----------------------------
- UK Premiere status is not required for any submission. If you later require your submission to be available for a premiere at a larger film festival, you do not need to withdraw your submission. We can exclude you from consideration for the film screening programme(s), but the judges will still be happy to consider your submission for the competitive element of the festival.

-------------------------------
Film Submission Age
-------------------------------
- All submitted films must be no more than 10 years old as of July 31, 2027.

----------------------------------------------------
Festival Programme and Screenings
----------------------------------------------------
The final selection of all films presented at special screening events and the festival is at the discretion of the Festival Director. Being a programmed film is not a reflection of your performance in competition for a category award. Not all submissions will be screened due to limitations of funding and budget.

-------------------------
Regional Criteria
-------------------------
- Any part of your production phases must have occurred in the Lothians.
- A minimum of 25% of your cast and crew must have a connection to West Lothian. This can include entry-level roles or dailies.
- 80% of the cast and crew must have seven or fewer IMDB credits in the category they are being presented for.

-------------------------
National Criteria
-------------------------
Best of Home Nations
- Best of Home Nations submissions must be films whose production is from Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Best of Celtic Nations
- Best of Celtic Nations must be submissions from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Galicia.

Best Gaelic Film & TV
- Must be presented in Scotland – Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig), Ireland – Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) or Isle of Man – Manx Gaelic (Gaelg or Gailck)
- All submissions must have English Subtitles within their submission video, otherwise your submission may not be judged.

Best Student Film
- A films created as part of student assessments or coursework, or independently produced by students in their own time.
- We encourage students to submit all works from their studies, particularly those who created short films as part of their modular assessments and 4th-year dissertation projects.
- We also encourage the film's "Producer" to discuss funding options with their schools/colleges/universities to cover submission fees and any associated costs of attending the film festival. This practice will help Producers develop skills and gain experience typically acquired post-graduation.
- The festival director is also happy to provide letters of support for each submission seeking funding from their establishment.

Best Young Person Film - 15 to 26 years
- At least 75% of the cast and crew must be aged between 15 and 26 years at the time of the film’s production.

Geography
- National = Scotland
- Celtic Nations = Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, France (Brittany), England (Cornwall), the Isle of Man and Spain (Galicia).
- Home Nations = Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Duration
Less than 31 minutes

By submitting to the festival, you are agreeing to be added to our mailing list. Rest assured, you will not receive an excessive number of emails, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

By submitting to the festival, you agree that your submission may be programmed at special screening events and or the festival itself. You are also agreeing to be asked to attend said SSE's for a Q&A at the session.

Your submission fee is non-refundable. If your film does not meet the listed criteria and you still submit it, the judges will not consider it for the competition. Your film will not be included in the programme, and you will not receive a refund of your fee.

--------------------
DCP Required
--------------------

While our DCP requirement has been set at no, if the opportunity to screen at a cinema becomes available, we will require your film in this format.
28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Christopher Matthew Spencer

    We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have “The Red Market” (@theredmarketfilm) featured at your event. The entire team, from Brian Cutler Actors Studio to the dedicated students and alumni from Dodge College at Chapman University, appreciates your support and recognition. Being seen and celebrated by your audience is an honor we hold dearly.

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Sevenskies Distribution

    Wonderful Festival...thanks for everything
    You're the best

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Anna Carvalho

    Honored that my film received an Honorable Mention at the 2025 West Lothian Film Festival! Even from afar, I had an amazing experience and I’m so grateful my work was recognized among so many talented filmmakers.
    Looking forward to being part of this festival again in the future!

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Leanne Smith

    I’m so honored that my film was recognized with an Honourable Mention at the 2025 West Lothian Film Festival! While I wasn’t able to attend in person, the experience of submitting was very smooth and professional, and the communication from the organizers was thoughtful and timely.

    It’s clear that this festival is passionate about celebrating creative work and giving independent filmmakers a meaningful platform. The fact that my project stood out among so many submissions truly means a great deal. I would happily recommend this festival to other filmmakers and look forward to the chance to participate again in the future.

    September 2025
    Helpful
  • Donald D'Haene

    Great fest! Thank you West Lothian Film Fest for recognizing my doc from Canada Interpreting Erik! Donald D'Haene on instagram @donalddhaene1961

    August 2025
    Helpful