Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-06-10
Submission start time
2025-09-07
Submission end time
2025-09-19
Finalist notification start time
2025-09-19
Finalist notification end time
2025-10-03
Award ceremony start time
2025-10-04
Award ceremony end time
Introduction to the film festival
Your first film deserves a real premiere.
Bournemouth International Film Festival is where tomorrow’s great filmmakers are born under the spotlight of industry leaders, coastal elegance, and real opportunities.
✅ Black Tie Awards Night
✅ Industry Networking and Masterclasses
✅ Screenings by the Sea in Bournemouth
✅ Physical Trophies and Press Exposure
✅ Career-Springboard Event for First-Time Creatives
Calling all dreamers, storytellers, and trailblazers, your moment starts here! BIFF2025 is open for submissions, and we can’t wait to discover your voice. Whether it’s your first script, your first short film, or your first big idea, we believe in the power of beginnings. Join a vibrant community that celebrates new perspectives and fresh stories. Submit today and let’s bring your vision to the big screen!
Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF)
3–4 October 2025 | Hilton Bournemouth | UK
"At Hilton Bournemouth, we’re very passionate about supporting the local creative community. We are very proud to be hosting this year’s BIFF. We’ve welcomed a range of inspiring artistic events in the past, and we’re committed to making the hotel a hub for creativity. We can't wait to work closely with the BIFF team to create a fantastic couple of days!" Ben Pilling - B2B Cluster Sales Executive - Hilton & Hampton Bournemouth
Where bold stories begin.
Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) is a purpose-driven, filmmaker-focused festival championing first-time creators, bold storytelling, and independent voices from around the world.
Held over two dynamic days at the prestigious Hilton Bournemouth, BIFF combines screenings, talks, workshops, and a black-tie awards night to celebrate the next generation of talent in film and screenwriting.
As a registered Community Interest Company (CIC), BIFF reinvests profits into filmmaker development, bursaries, education, and community-led cultural initiatives.
What Makes BIFF Different?
The theme of BIFF 2025 is empowerment, whether it’s through the stories told on screen or the act of submitting a film for the first or even second time. This is a festival where bold voices rise, and new talent takes its place.
Career-Boosting Exposure – Selected films and scripts are showcased in front of audiences, industry professionals, and talent scouts.
Filmmaker-Centric Experience – Run by people who work in the industry and understand what new creators need.
Script-to-Screen Opportunity – The winner of our short film script competition will have their screenplay produced and premiered in Dorset.
Inclusive & Accessible – Affordable submission fees, student categories, and a strong focus on underrepresented voices.
Networking That Matters – Panels, Q&As and informal events designed to connect emerging filmmakers with real opportunity.
Sfilmmaker is our exclusive platform for cooperation in China, and we look forward to your films.
Awards
Awards & Recognition for films
Best UK Short
Best International Short
Best Director
Best First-Time Filmmaker
Best Screenplay (Short Script)
Best Student Film
Best Documentary
Best Cinematography
Audience Choice Award
And many more across short, feature and script categories
All winners receive e-certificates and selected awards include physical trophies.
What Winners Receive
BIFF Trophy & Laurels
Official digital laurels for selections and winners, perfect for promotional use.
Industry Exposure
Connect with film professionals, distributors, and media outlets.
Festival Screenings
Winning films are screened at BIFF in beautiful Bournemouth.
Rules
Rules & Terms ?
By submitting to the Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF), you acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:
1. ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Films must have been completed after January 1, 2022.
All genres and formats (narrative, documentary, animation, etc.) are accepted.
Films must not be publicly available online before the festival screening (private cast & crew screenings or festival screenings are permitted).
Films in languages other than English must have English subtitles.
Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of selection status.
2. RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
The filmmaker must own or have secured all necessary rights (including music, script, footage, talent releases, and trademarks).
By submitting, the filmmaker grants BIFF the right to screen the film at the festival and use promotional materials, including clips, posters, and stills, for marketing and publicity.
BIFF does not claim ownership of submitted films.
3. JUDGING & SELECTION PROCESS
All films will be reviewed by industry professionals, festival programmers, and filmmakers.
Films are judged fairly and impartially based on artistic merit, storytelling, direction, acting, production value, and originality.
The judging panel’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
Judges will not engage in discussions or correspondence regarding individual film feedback.
Ethics & Transparency
BIFF ensures a conflict-free judging process. Any judge with a personal connection to a submission must recuse themselves.
Bribery, lobbying, or attempting to influence judges will result in immediate disqualification.
BIFF reserves the right to withdraw awards or disqualify a film if ethical concerns arise.
4. LIABILITY & FINANCIAL PROTECTIONS
BIFF does not cover travel, accommodation, or screening expenses for filmmakers.
If a screening is delayed, rescheduled, or canceled due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., venue issues, legal reasons, force majeure), BIFF is not liable for any associated costs.
The festival reserves the right to modify dates, venues, or programming as needed.
Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring their submission materials (e.g., DCP files, Blu-rays, links) are properly formatted and accessible. BIFF is not responsible for corrupted, inaccessible, or improperly formatted files.
5. SCREENWRITING COMPETITION TERMS
Screenplays must not exceed 15 pages and must follow industry-standard formatting.
Writers retain all rights to their scripts.
The winning screenplay will be produced in Dorset under the festival’s supervision. The writer will receive "Written by" credit but production and creative decisions remain at the discretion of BIFF.
All script submissions will receive brief reader reports, but BIFF does not guarantee additional feedback or script development services.
6. LEGAL DISCLAIMER
BIFF reserves the right to make final decisions on all festival matters.
By submitting, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms.
Any legal disputes must be handled under UK law.
? By submitting your film or screenplay, you agree to these terms and confirm that all information provided is accurate. ?
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|---|---|
| James Fair |  |
Dr James Fair is principal academic |
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