WHAT IS THE WHITE DEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL?
We are the hosts of IMDB-qualifying awards seasons that celebrate exciting cinematic experiences, not always featured in the mainstream media. Nestled in the heart of Britain, White Deer IFF welcomes all filmmakers to enter their projects into a variety of award categories to be judged by industry award-winners.

WHITE DEER IFF & THE EAST MIDLANDS
At White Deer IFF we believe it is essential to foster the potential of filmmakers who are outside the typical “hotspots” within the UK film industry. Our ethos is that filmmakers can, and should, have opportunities in all locations across the world. In particular, we are committed to promoting the talents of individuals and groups within a region very close to our heart, the East Midlands UK. It is here where White Deer IFF was formed and is based, but also where too few filmmakers are given the exposure they deserve. Therefore, we have a special category for East Midlands-based entrants, so that many more films from this area can be brought to the attention of global audiences. It is our hope that this will increase the exposure of East Midlands-based talent. After all, this beautiful part of the UK has many stories to tell, and we will do our best to see them told.

Awards & Prizes

We have made every effort to keep entry into our festival as straightforward as possible. You can either "stay focused" and enter individual 'Technical' or 'Genre' categories. Or, "go big" by choosing the appropriate 'Runtime' category, earning a chance to compete for all 'Technical' & 'Genre' awards. Whatever you decide, all entries have the chance to win the most suitable of the following 'Main' awards:

-Best East Midlands Film
-Best Feature Film
-Best Short Film
-Best Microshort Film
-Best Feature Documentary
-Best Short Documentary
-Best Microshort Documentary

NOMINEES
Entrants that are nominated are films deemed suitable to contest in at least one of our award categories. Nominees will receive a laurel to recognise this success.

AWARD WINNERS
Nominees that proceed to win an award will receive an additional laurel to recognise this achievement.

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
A selection of these Award Winning films will then be invited to participate in a season-ending screening event hosted by White Deer IFF.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
White Deer IFF hosts IMDB-qualifying awards seasons that culminate in season-ending screening events. To submit a film to our festival, you must have created the project yourself, own the rights or have permission from the owner of the content to submit the film to us.

All films must be submitted in a digital format.

Non-English films must have English subtitles.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT:
1. Amateur videos i.e. films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/
captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD).
2. Pornography.
3. Scripts

We also reserve the right to disqualify films that feature a significant political or religious agenda.

FILM ENTRIES & RUNTIMES
Films of any length under 180 minutes can be submitted to our festival. However, please be aware that some categories are restricted by runtime. For reference, the following runtime rules apply within our festival:

-"Feature" = Films above 40 minutes in length.
-"Short" = Films between 5:00 and 39:59 minutes in length.
-"Microshort" = Films 4:59 minutes and below in length.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE RUNTIMES. ENTRANTS THAT ENTER INCORRECTLY MAY BE DISQUALIFIED

EAST MIDLANDS FILM CATEGORY RULES
To qualify as an ‘East Midlands Film’, your entry must have prominent connections to an East Midlands UK location (i.e. Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland). When in doubt, please contact us for further details.
22 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Together for Human & Environment in Nepal

    Very happy to be part of this fabulous festival. Also we are grateful for the "Best Message" Award for our Film "THE-Bonsai". Festival directors are very responsive, helpful and prompt on their action. They seems responsible towards the value for every work by every filmmakers. Thank you for the high quality and well streamed festival. We would love to take part in further edition of this festival. Best wishes.

    January 2023
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  • Luca Machnich

    Excellent organization and very friendly and warm team

    January 2022
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  • Elin Johnston

    An absolute pleasure to be part of this excellent festival and have my film 'Laudation Trilogy' receive welcome valuable recognition and awards. Very good and kind communication from the organisers .... particularly admired the distinctive and creative festival graphic branding also. Many thanks to all concerned!

    January 2022
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  • Piero Cannata

    Once again the White Deer proves to be a wonderful festival. It's an honor to be rewarded by you. Thanks again and see you soon!

    January 2022
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  • Asase Amoah

    Great to be part of this event

    January 2022
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