Bolton International Film Festival is one of the Top 10 short film festivals in the UK, the festival has accreditation from both BAFTA (British Academy of Film & Television Arts) and BIFA (British Independent Film Awards). From over 12,000 festivals worldwide Bolton Film Festival is in the "Top 10 Best Reviewed" and "Top 50 Most Popular" on FilmFreeway.

Celebrating films from home and abroad the festival acts as an amplifier of emerging and established talent. Through its films, industry talks, masterclasses and networking sessions it aims to break open the door to a creative industry that many filmmakers find difficult to access and navigate. Bolton Film Festival helps springboard its filmmakers, connecting them not just to their peers but to the talent executives, producers, funders, sales agents and distributors who can take them to the next level.

The festival opens its doors to a diverse and vibrant audience, drawing filmmakers, students, industry professionals, and a broad spectrum of the public. Every screening is followed by engaging Q&A sessions with the filmmakers.

When you submit your film to our festival, a single entry suffices for eligibility across all relevant categories and awards (refer to Frequently Asked Questions for details).

The festival delivers a hybrid experience, with in person screenings for five days from Wed 2nd Oct - Sun 6th Oct and a secure digital platform (*geo restricted to UK) to catch up on films and masterclasses from 9th to 20th October.

Note: * Please note that online screenings are an optional feature for selected filmmakers, it is not compulsory. Choosing to participate provides an opportunity for you and your fellow filmmakers to connect with audiences, sales agents, distributors, and approved industry contacts from around the world.

The festival will be competitive with the awards presented on the night by sponsors and industry representatives.

Best International Short
Best UK Short
Best Made up North
Best Documentary
Best Comedy
Best Animation
Best Experimental
Best LGBTQ+ short
Best Horror
Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy
Best Three Minute Quickie
Best Immersive Experience (360/VR)
Best Women in Film
Best Fashion Film
Best Dance Film
Best Music Video
Best Animation (Student)
Best Student Post Graduate (M.A)
Best Student Under Graduate (B.A)
Lens For Change Award

1.) Entries in foreign languages must come with English subtitles.

2.) All entries must have been completed between 18th June 2022 and 18th June 2024

3. Digital marketing materials should be made available to be used for our marketing purposes by 18th June 2024

4.) If you have entered your film previously to BFF please do not re-enter it.

5.) Please ensure you only submit your film once – there are no refunds for duplicate submissions, a single entry to the festival will suffice, there is no need to enter multiple categories.
BFF has no premiere or exclusivity rule, we also consider work that is already online.

6.) Film-makers must include a brief synopsis of the film in no more than 150 words

8.) Provide at least one high resolution image (1920 x 1080 or higher) for the use of Bolton Film Festival promotional brochures or publicity. More images for print are recommended so we have a choice.

9.) All entries must obtain the appropriate copyright clearances (i.e. music, archive footage, images, etc). Failure to do so will result in the entry being disqualified from the competition.

10.) We will consider a Work in Progress version of your film, but the film must remain picture locked. Please include a cover letter making it clear the film is a work in progress and/or a credit at the beginning of the film with the words "Work in Progress". A final version of the film must be uploaded within 30 days.

11.) The selected entries will be screened during the Festival programme.

12.) Winners will be presented with their awards during the BFF Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the festival on Sunday 5th October 2024. There will be no prior notification of winners or nominees.