Blog: Film festivals

The North East International Film Festival is the youngest BIFA qualifying and IMDB qualifying festival, one of only 80 festivals worldwide to adopt the F-Rating, representing females in film, the first EVER festival to sign up to the BBC 50/50 Equality Project, making that organisational commitment to diversity and the first EVER festival to receive the Raising Films Ribbon for creating an inclusive space for Filmmaker, Audience and our Team!

The NEIFF has been shortlisted for the prestigious BAFTA For The Love Of Film Awards Competition 2022, for the Makers & Shakers Awards for Initiative To Grow Local Industry, The Small Awards under the category New Kid On The Block and the Inclusive Companies Awards. Our Festival Director has also recently been added to the Northern Power Women 2022 Future List for her efforts in supporting and accelerating gender equality through the NEIFF.

We are in partnership with BBC Radio and Regalier Magazine which is the worlds first online global, luxury magazine. One of our official distribution partners is Opprime TV. All of our festival award winners will automatically be offered the option of screening their films on the Opprime TV platform. The Filmmaker will receive a percentage of all subscriptions. Other partners include Lexus, Northumbria Clear, Titan Media & Close Protection, No Worries Marketing, Northumbria University, Newcastle University and more. The NEIFF is also in partnership with iPitch.tv. All of our festival Winners will be awarded a complimentary 12 month code for iPitch.tv and every Official Selection will be awarded a complimentary 3 month code. even more reason to submit!
About iPitch: Industry members in their marketplace are scouting for Feature Film and Television projects for all the major networks, studios and platforms. These Executive Members include:
Discovery Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers, Echo Lake Entertainment, Relativity Television, CBS, WEtv, Authentic Entertainment, Forman Productions, Infinity Media Inc., Little Studio Films, Leftfield Pictures, Brian Graden Media... to name a few.

Their site also features educational content and interviews with industry notables such as: Mike Medavoy, Doug Mankoff, and Douglas Ross who share their experience and personal insights for our up and coming filmmakers and creatives.

The NEIFF is proud to be partnered with the European Independent Film Festival which is in it's 17th edition, takes place in Paris annually and is currently partnered with many renowned festivals and the New York Independent Film Festival Manhattan. This will allow not only our Filmmakers the option to have their work screened amongst other top films in Paris and New York but also allows our audiences the opportunity to view even more new and diverse works.

The North East International Film Festival is the World's most inclusive, collaborative and diverse female-founded film festival, connecting Filmmakers and Film-goers through an array of exciting film related activities and events. This is a festival in every sense of the word.

The NEIFF is humbled to have the support of our regions Universities and is proud to confirm the participation of 55 student volunteers and placements so far.

Our categories include the standard submission categories as well as Best LGBTQ+, Best Low/No Budget, Best Student Film and our VisABLE category which is to represent disability in all it's forms.

Our event is a 3 day theme park of award winning films to take place in various locations, through our 7 cinema partners, throughout the North East Region from 17th - 20th November 2022. Our Cinema partners range from independent, volunteer-led cinemas to 13 screen chain cinemas.

The festival is to include one off special screenings of award-winning films with cast and crew Q&A’s, VIP networking events, free, educational, film related workshops delivered by industry professionals and three full day screenings of finalist films. The festival will culminate in a Closing Awards Gala, with welcome drinks, networking/mingling and media opportunities, a 3 course gourmet Artisan meal, live music, entertainment and special guests.

Award trophies will be custom made and will be presented for each of the submission categories as well as for Audience Choice Award and Best of the Fest.

Come and join us to appreciate stunning locations, regional specialities and the world famous Geordie hospitality.