Image from 2019 Short Film Competition entry, ‘Tunnel’, directed by James Coe
Submissions for the 2024 Blackpool Film Festival Short Film Competition are OPEN
Here at BFF, we love showcasing new work from upcoming and established filmmakers alike, providing a platform for their work to be seen by Blackpool audiences. We’re proud to attract submissions from across the globe, and have received some fantastic short films we’ve loved bringing to our audience.
To mark this new era of BFF, we’ve brought back our Short Film Competition with an exciting new theme:
All Change: Films driven by a passion for social justice issues that inspire social change.
We’re looking for powerful films of all genres and styles, which highlight important social issues such as climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality and other subjects which impact the world we live in.
Have you made a short film with a strong message? Submissions to Blackpool Film Festival’s Short Film Competition are open until 15th September.
Why Submit ?
This year’s competition features 2 categories:
- Short Film Competition
- Young Filmmaker Competition (under 25)
We are always looking for ways to support and encourage filmmakers with their craft. Whether that’s by offering networking opportunities, skill building sessions, or simply providing a platform to share work with new audiences, we know how valuable film festivals can be for filmmakers.
That’s why this year, we are offering a fantastic cash prize of £300 for the winner of the Short Film Competition, with a Young Filmmaker’s award running alongside the main competition. There will also be two additional awards: Runner Up and People’s Choice.
All shortlisted films will be screened during the festival weekend (1st – 3rd November) at the new Backlot Cinema, culminating in a special awards ceremony.
Here are some comments from filmmakers who have previously submitted to BFF:
“Wonderful people, communication brilliant from start to finish, thank you so much for including our short film ‘Get Riel” in your festival” – Moira Rowan, Get Riel, 2019
“A top notch festival with great communication every step of the way.” – Hamish Downie, Silence, 2017
“Impossible to have been treated better. Great venue and communication. Particular thanks to Catherine and Clancy for their patience and professionalism. Thank You!!!!” – Jean Faucher, Me, Baby and the Alligator, 2017
FAQ's
Where can I submit my film?
All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway. We do not accept any email submissions.
Is there a maximum duration for submissions?
Submissions must be 20 minutes or under. This is a short film competition, so we do not accept any feature length films.
What kind of films are you looking for?
We accept submissions of short films from all over the world. We welcome all genres, tones and styles, but just ask that entries fit within this year’s competition theme of All Change. More details surrounding entry requirements can be found on our FilmFreeway page.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, we charge a small fee of £5 per entry, but provide a discounted rate for entries from an FY1-8 postcode.
When will I find out if my film has been selected?
All shortlisted entries will be notified on Friday 1st October. Due to the high number of submissions we receive, we will not be able to contact you if your film is not selected.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
For any further questions or queries surrounding film submissions or the festival in general, please email us via [email protected]
For terms & conditions and further entry requirements, head over to our FilmFreeway page.