Introduction to the film festival
The 1st Annual Build International Film Festival (BIFF) — powered by Build Network TV — celebrates filmmakers, producers, and storytellers from across the globe who create with purpose, passion, and vision.
Our mission is simple: to provide a platform that elevates filmmakers at every stage of their journey — from student films and independent projects to professional-level productions.
BIFF stands as a bridge between creativity and opportunity, empowering creators to tell stories that impact culture, spark innovation, and build legacy.
Awards
Best Feature Film (Narrative or Drama)
Honoring exceptional storytelling, direction, and cinematic execution in a feature-length production. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Best Documentary Feature
Recognizing truth-driven stories that inspire change, awareness, or global conversation. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Best Short Film
Celebrating excellence in storytelling within 30 minutes or less. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Best Student Film
Showcasing emerging filmmakers whose creativity signals the next generation of visionaries. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Best International Film
Awarded to an outstanding submission from outside the United States that embodies BIFF’s global vision. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Best Animated Film
Honoring innovation, visual artistry, and creative storytelling through animation. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Best Web or Streaming Series
For creators mastering episodic storytelling in the digital era. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
SIGNATURE BIFF HONORS
The BUILD Legacy Award
BIFF’s highest honor — recognizing individuals or organizations whose body of work advances global storytelling and empowers future creators. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
The “Purpose Meets Opportunity” Award
A unique BIFF distinction honoring content that embodies purpose, passion, and transformation. Includes 1 year distribution on BNTV and Syndicates.
Rules
Rules & Terms BIFF is where the Build International Film Festival, Television, and Content Creators come together to join forces to discuss the collaborations, dynamics, and the interconnection of images, audio, and music. Content Producers also have a chance to see their film and project works on a Global streaming network and distribution of devices and other affiliates networks. This is where seasoned filmmakers, as well as mid-level and students of the profession get a chance to showcase their crafts and art.
The Content Creators are Visionaries that makes the "movie, music, art" so exciting! Creative Visionaries are a one-of-a-kind group of people with extreme vision and insight into their imagination. Annually BIFF recognizes these powerful Content Creators along with industry movers and shakers. Collaborating side by side is the secret to helping educate up-and-coming talented creators on how to achieve "Super Success" in a very difficult industry to break into.
OFFICIAL REGULATIONS
Submission Guidelines
1. Short Short Films, Short Films and Feature Films entries "are eligible" if they have not been previously released in movie theaters or distributed on broadcast TV in the USA or international.
There are exceptions to these rules based on individual circumstances which can be reviewed by the Submissions Team via email inquiry. The submission may have been screened in other international film festivals.
Submit questions to . We may allow a longer-length project for the short film category.
2. BIFF Short Films submissions may or may not have a trailer. Trailers are encouraged.
3. Films must be submitted digitally to our FilmFreeway.com Platform for the BIFF Team to preview "for consideration and acceptance into the festival". This is a film and music festival, and all projects are accepted into consideration and will be selected from their Submission Category. "ACCEPTANCE" only means your project will be "Judged For Official Selection Into the Festival, and It Will Go Through A Full Examination Process".
Once selected as an "Official or Final Selection" The BIFF Judges will determine which films will "be screened and awarded during the 2026 BIFF Festival. Due to the large number of films, music videos, clips, and scripts received, it takes time to properly manage all submissions. This review process could take 6 to 8 months. Please submit early to be considered for screenings and awards, and please be patient with the BIFF Team. The BIFF created this event to help you, and we thank you so much in advance for your participation!
"Please note: Not all projects submitted are accepted into the BIFF for official screenings."
Do not send film prints, master tapes, DCPs, or other originals. You are fully responsible for your films, music, or material; we are not liable for the loss of your property. "WE DO NOT RETURN SUBMISSION TAPES, DIGITAL, THUMB, OR EXTERNAL DRIVES".
PLEASE READ THE RULES CAREFULLY! THERE ARE NO REFUNDS FOR SUBMISSIONS!
BIFF is a not-for-profit organization that helps filmmakers and creative talent expose their products to the marketplace. It takes a lot of work and time to create and develop this program. If you withdraw or your project is not selected for screening please try again next year!
4. Music Videos and Music entries must be original productions, tracks, scores, songs, or lyrics. By US Copyright law, music and images must not infringe on any copyrights. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING THE LEGAL RIGHTS IN YOUR PROJECT THAT IS SUBMITTED TO BIFF. BIFF will not be liable for any fees or fines for exposing your project!
5. By submitting your project to BIFF, the applicant confirms and warrants their legal authority to submit the film, music, screenplay, art, graphics or photos and/or works, etc. in the entry and other materials to the Build International Film and Music Festival.
6. Applicant deems they are fully responsible for the use of all music, images, graphics, and content in the film or music entered in the Build International Film and Music Festival. (BIFF). By submitting your film or music to the Build International Film and Music Festival, you agree to take full responsibility and liability, and for any and all damages associated with the showing of the film or broadcast of the music entered into the festival.
7. Entrant will allow usage of MOVIE, FILM, VIDEO, PHOTO, and/or clips from the submitted project or music for PROMOTIONAL, MARKETING, PUBLIC RELATIONS and all other BIFF usages such as: use on digital, the internet, television, radio, in print, and at live Build International Film and Music Festival events.
8. All entries must be either in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles are not eligible. "No Refunds Allowed for submissions not following these rules."
9. Only complete entries (including entry form, name, address, PHONE NUMBER, email address, payment, and digital preview Screener or Music Soundtrack) will be reviewed and selected for BIFF. "No Waivers will be accepted".
10. NO Mailed Entries are Accepted into the Build International Film and Music Festival, and BIFF is not responsible for incorrect wording in the submission platform or publications or on awards.
11. You will be notified if your submission is "Accepted into BIFF". You will be notified if your project is considered as a "Finalist and Official Selection." Once the "Official Selections" have been chosen, "Official Selections" will be a part of the Final Judging for the 2026 BIFF Winners!
The 2026 BIFF Official Selections Winning Projects" will be listed for screenings, and the Screening Schedule announced via BIFF website. www.OrlandBIFF.com. Press releases, photos, and trailers may be featured in advertising, commercials, on our websites, and on Internet Channels.
WE ENCOURAGE ALL NOMINEE'S TO ATTEND THE AWARDS CEREMONY. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY. IF WINNERS ARE NOT PRESENT, THE TROPHY CAN BE SENT WITH THE FILMMAKER PAYING THE SHIPPING FEE. This process can take up to several months to complete due to non-attendance by a winner.
BIFF requires winners to digitally submit a DOWNLOAD of the final "Copy" of your film or video production for The Official BIFF Screening Schedule. Digital Screening Versions are submitted via upload to the BIFF Filmfreeway.com Platform or Download Links.
Films in the following exhibition formats are eligible for upload the Build International Film and Music Festival screening:
Digital Film Specs: H.264 mp4 format, flat aspect ratio 1920×1080 (1.85:1). Please use ONLY your full or partial film title when naming the file so we can identify it. Do not use arbitrary naming of your project on the title!!!!
Deadlines
Early Entry Submission begins on July 29th, 2025, and ends Deadline 31st, 2025. The Early Entry Deadline is December 31st, 2025. Please submit your entry before this date at 5:00 pm EST!
Regular Entry Submission begins on January 1th, 2026. The Regular Submission Deadline is , June 9, 2026. Please submit your entry before this date at 5:00 pm EST! The Venues is subject to change without notice! 1. Shipping BIFF no longer accepts shipping of an entry to the Festival ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON THE BIFF FilmFreeway.com SUBMISSIONS PLATFORM.
All international entries SUBMISSIONS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON THE BIFF FilmFreeway.com SUBMISSIONS PLATFORM or sent via digital download. For films accepted for screening at the Build International Film Festival see the submission guidelines above. 2. Judging & Selection Entries Submitted will be selected for judging and presentation by the Build International Film Festival Judging Committee. The Build International Film and Music Festival Judges Committee Office will announce the selected winning entrants at the awards ceremony and on all social media.
For publication purposes, entries selected will be required to supply 3 (three) high-resolution stills from the film and at least 1 (one) photograph of the film's director and the film's poster cover to be uploaded in your media kit. The Build International Film Festival also request publicity materials, a movie poster, and a video trailer (if available) along with their submissions.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS ARE CORRECT. IF POSSIBLE PLEASE ADD A SECONDARY CONTACT NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH YOUR MEDIA MATERIALS! WE MUST BE ABLE TO CONTACT YOU REGARDING YOUR SUBMISSION! PLEASE ADD BIFF TO YOUR EMAIL AND CHECK YOUR SPAM EMAIL. Publicity and press materials will NOT be returned.
3. Entry Fees Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not Refundable. Waivers will not be accepted. Fees cover registration processing, notification that your entry has been received, notification of results, and screening. These fees MUST be paid by digital submission to BIFF's FilmFreeway.com site.
For all entries outside the U.S., entrants must pay using digital money and it must be only in U.S. dollars. You can also pay by credit card using PayPal before the Late Submission.
The entry fee helps BIFF prepare your project submission to be shown on the "Build network TV". Please ensure you have submitted the best quality film project. This ensures the best quality picture on a movie theater screen. If your film is selected to screen and the quality of your film is NOT of a High-Standard, it will NOT be screened during BIFF!
PLEASE NOTE: The Build International Film Festival - Excludes ALL PORNOGRAPHIC FILMS! BIFF "DOES NOT" and 'WILL NOT" accept these types of projects. X-Rated, Nudity, and porn films WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM REVIEW! Please do not submit these types of films as your entries. You may lose your submission fee.
"NO WAIVERS ARE ACCEPTED" and "NO REFUNDS" from Entries and Submissions. Please read all Entry and Submission information carefully before entering your project to BIFF!
Thank you so much! BIFF Submission Team
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
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Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-12-13
Submission start time
2025-12-31
Earlybird Deadline
2026-04-03
Regular Deadline
2026-04-24
Late Deadline
2026-04-24
Submission end time
2026-04-27
Finalist notification start time
2026-04-27
Finalist notification end time
2026-05-20
Award ceremony start time
2026-05-23
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2025/12/31
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 33 Dollar
Student: 13 Dollar
2026/04/03
Regular Deadline
Standard: 43 Dollar
Student: 18 Dollar
2026/04/24
Late Deadline
Standard: 63 Dollar
Student: 23 Dollar
2025/12/31
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 33 Dollar
Student: 13 Dollar
2026/04/03
Regular Deadline
Standard: 43 Dollar
Student: 18 Dollar
2026/04/24
Late Deadline
Standard: 63 Dollar
Student: 23 Dollar
2025/12/31
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 33 Dollar
Student: 13 Dollar
2026/04/03
Regular Deadline
Standard: 43 Dollar
Student: 18 Dollar
2026/04/24
Late Deadline
Standard: 63 Dollar
Student: 23 Dollar
2025/12/31
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 33 Dollar
Student: 13 Dollar
2026/04/03
Regular Deadline
Standard: 43 Dollar
Student: 18 Dollar
2026/04/24
Late Deadline
Standard: 63 Dollar
Student: 23 Dollar
2025/12/31
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 33 Dollar
Student: 13 Dollar
2026/04/03
Regular Deadline
Standard: 43 Dollar
Student: 18 Dollar
2026/04/24
Late Deadline
Standard: 63 Dollar
Student: 23 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
View in the applet