Please note the Sheffield International Film Festival is NOT affiliated with the Sheffield Doc Fest, if you are looking to submit to the Doc Fest please go to https://sheffdocfest.com/

The Sheffield International Film Festival 2021 will take place throughout the ‘Steel City’ from end of May 2021. The U.K city of Sheffield, famous for hard working industry and honesty will showcase all genres of films from up and coming and established directors that reflect industrious filmmaking talent and storytelling.

SHEFIFF2021 is currently planning for the festival to take place in cinema with filmmakers invited to take part in post screening Q&A's, networking events and nightly after parties. Of course this may change given the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The festival will also expand its programming with the aim to screen at least double the amount of films screened in the festivals first year. This expansion will be able to take place regardless of COVID-19 and will provide filmmakers the chance to connect with an even wider variety of film creatives.

With after-parties, networking events, world premieres and closing night awards SHEFIFF2021 will be a warm, fun, friendly filmmaking community festival that will champion the very best in independent film from around the world.

Our Mission:

The festival’s integral mission is to support and select purely from open submitted films, giving every filmmaker a fair chance to reach their audience with their work and help to highlight under-represented voices within the independent film industry.

This blend of authentic programming coupled with a mix of industry kudos will set a standard of excellence that will attract strong attention to the selected films.

Best Short ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Feature ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Direction ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Screenplay ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Music Video ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Actor ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Actress ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best short script ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy)
Best Feature script ( Certificate & Cash & Trophy

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

The 2nd Sheffield International Film Festival will take place from to may

1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from july
All deadlines are listed on WFCN.

2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

3. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2018.
- Sheffield International Film Festival requires at least an Sheffield premiere for all films.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- Films must not have received more than 50% of their funding from a studio or broadcaster.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

4. Premiere Status
- Sheffield International Film Festival requires at least a Sheffield premiere for all films and they may not have been screened publicly online. All films may have screened at other festivals but just not have screened in Sheffield.
- There is no Premiere policy for Experimental Films and music videos, they may have screened at other Festivals and/or online.

5. Film Classification
All films screened during the Sheffield International Film Festival receive a blanket 18 age rating.

6. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for Sheffield International Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

7. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from Sheffield International Film Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Sheffield International Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Sheffield International Film Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

8. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

9. Notification
Sheffield International Film Festival endeavors to complete all selection procedures by 1st August 2021 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

10. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4).in order to be screened at the Sheffield International Film Festival. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.
A selected DCP or video file must be received at Sheffield International Film Festival no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date.

11. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Sheffield International Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Sheffield International Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Sheffield International Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.

No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

UPDATED 9th July 2020 - COVID-19 - Due to the unprecedented and ongoing problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to change the festival to a geo-blocked virtual online festival if it is not possible to host the event in a physical venue.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN SHEFIFF:

By submitting to the Sheffield International Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of SHEFIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise the SHEFIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2021 festival (22nd – 24th October 2021). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the SHEFIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold SHEFIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to SHEFIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2021 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2021 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify SHEFIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.