Blog: Film festivals

The 2025 Africa International Human Rights Film Festival (AIHRFF) will delve into the powerful theme of "Bridging Divides."

Rationale:

In 2025, as Africa continues to navigate a complex landscape of interconnected challenges, the need to bridge divides becomes increasingly critical. These divisions can manifest as political polarization, social fragmentation, economic inequality, cultural misunderstandings, and the lingering effects of historical injustices. This theme recognizes the urgent imperative to foster dialogue, understanding, and collaboration across these divides to advance human rights and build more inclusive and equitable societies.

Objectives:

To showcase films that explore the root causes and consequences of various forms of division within and across African communities.
To celebrate stories of individuals and initiatives that actively work to bridge these divides through empathy, communication, and reconciliation.
To provide a platform for filmmakers, activists, policymakers, and audiences to engage in meaningful dialogue about strategies for fostering unity and overcoming fragmentation.
To inspire solidarity and collective action towards building bridges that promote human rights, social justice, and sustainable development across the continent.

We love horror and we're very excited to watch your films!

The Bloody Horror International Film Festival (BHIFF) is an international festival seeking the best in indie horror (both amateur and professional).

The festival is set up in two yearly sessions. Selected films will be recognized and awarded in various categories.

BHIFF has made a point to keep our entry fees low as to give everyone the chance to enter, and we offer a high number of award categories!

BHIFF is headquartered in Canada, but its panel of judges is set in different parts of the world and comes with a variety of horror film expertise.

As of June 2025, BHIFF will now be sharing more content on social media! We think this is a great way to help promote your work/creations for everyone to see! We hold the rights to use any material submitted and will use this to promote your amazing creations! We may use film trailers, posters and clips of submitted films (even non-inning films)

Here at BHIFF, we feel everyone's work is a masterpiece! We have the hard job of choosing our Official Selections and Winners. This doesn't mean we didn't love all the films. We aren't always able to screen all of the Official Selections and Honorable Mentions because we have time limits at the venues.

So, we feel that sharing on social media is a great way to get everyone work seen!

We have partnered up with the nice folks over at B-Movie TV!
B-Movie TV is a Live TV Channel that is available via Roku Box. B-Movies 24/7!

Every film that wins BHIFF's Baddest B-Movie award will be exclusively screened LIVE on B-Movie TV's channel! How cool is that?!

Lots more exciting stuff coming soon!

We're always very excited to see your creations!

www.OpenWorldAnimation.com
www.TheAlternativeGallery.com

Open World Animation Festival encourages creators to explore the frontiers of animation through both traditional & emerging mediums. Its mission is to help general audiences understand the artistry in animation and its diversity of subject matter. It aims to showcase many voices, styles, & perspectives. Anyone is welcome to take part!

For the 2025 Festival we are partnering with the Roxy Theatre as our official screening location! This 450-seat venue is one of only 600 surviving independent theaters in the Nation. The Roxy Theatre is equipped with DLP Cinema for a state of the art cinematic experience!

http://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com

Open World also features animation retrospectives, Virtual Reality set-ups, GIF displays, a cereal bar & more!

The festival began in 2016 as a series of independent animation screenings from around the world, curated in a 4-day celebration of the medium. Open World is organized by the Alternative Gallery, a non-profit community art space, and is run 100% by volunteers.

The Alternative Gallery is located in Allentown, PA within the Cigar Factory Artist studios, featuring; exhibit & performance spaces, over 40 artist studios, a printshop, wood shop, darkroom, film archive, makerspace, classrooms & more. The organization & festival are both run 100% through the efforts of dedicated volunteers.

Marengo Fest. Vigo International Film Festival is not just a film competition, it is a cultural and social event whose main objective is to promote film culture, giving the opportunity at a national and international level to show their projects, providing prizes worth €30,000 in its different categories

Welcome to Trans Africa International Film Festival 2024 (TAIFF). a groundbreaking event dedicated to fostering collaboration, capacity building for filmmakers, institutional strengthening, and empowering the next generation of storytellers. Join us from November 26th to 30th, 2025, for a transformative experience that celebrates creativity, innovation, and the power of cinema to inspire change.

The TAIFF serves as a platform for collaboration, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts to connect, exchange ideas, and forge meaningful partnerships. Through collaborative projects, networking sessions, and interactive workshops, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate on creative endeavors that push boundaries and spark new perspectives.

Empowering emerging filmmakers is at the core of the Trans Africa International Film Festival. Our program includes a series of masterclasses, hands-on workshops, and skill-building sessions led by industry experts. From script development to production techniques, editing to distribution strategies, budding filmmakers will gain valuable insights and practical knowledge to enhance their craft and navigate the competitive landscape of the film industry.

As part of our commitment to nurturing talent, the festival offers a Young Filmmakers Mentorship Program designed to provide guidance, support, and mentorship to aspiring filmmakers. Established professionals will mentor young talents, offering personalized advice, career insights, and hands-on experience to help them realize their creative vision and achieve their filmmaking goals.

TAIFF aims to strengthen the institutional framework of the film industry by engaging with key stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders. Through panel discussions, roundtable sessions, and policy forums, the festival will address critical issues facing the industry, advocate for positive change, and create a more inclusive and sustainable ecosystem for filmmakers to thrive

The festival provides aims to platform for stakeholders from across the film industry to engage in meaningful dialogue, share best practices, and collaborate on initiatives that drive positive impact. By facilitating connections between filmmakers, investors, distributors, and policymakers, the festival creates opportunities for collaboration, partnership, and collective action to shape the future of cinema.

Highlights of the Event:

- Masterclasses: Dive deep into the art and craft of filmmaking with interactive masterclasses led by industry experts.

- Film Screenings: Experience a diverse selection of films from emerging talents and established filmmakers that challenge conventions and inspire audiences.

- Networking Events: Connect with fellow filmmakers, industry professionals, and stakeholders at networking events designed to foster collaboration and partnerships.

- Awards Ceremony: Celebrate creativity and excellence in filmmaking at the festival's awards ceremony honoring outstanding achievements in storytelling and filmmaking.

The TAIFF was founded by Nixon Ayuba Waya, a festival programmer with vast experience in organizing international festival events and a prolific filmmaker with a decade of experience in this sector.

Join us at the Trans Africa International Film Festival 2025 for a week-long celebration of cinema, creativity, and collaboration. Together, we will shape the future of filmmaking, empower the next generation of storytellers, and inspire positive change through the power of storytelling.

The 14th Year will include new additions and competitions! The International Horror Hotel Film Festival and Convention is held every June in Northeast Ohio. We have open competitions for films and scripts in the following genres: experimental (film only), fantasy, horror, horror-comedy, slasher, sci-fi and suspense-thriller. We also accept trailers, music videos, TV pilots (film or script), and web episodes (film or script) for projects in the listed genres.

Competition is also open for our horror film scoring competition (submissions through our website). At the event, we have live scream king/scream queen and FX makeup competitions as well.

This year we will also be holding the second annual Room 237 Film Competition where film makers will compete to create a film in 30 days making use of a murder weapon assigned during a zoom kick off meeting. Further information about the Room 237 Film Competition will be available on the Horror Hotel Film Festival Web Site by January 2024. Start building your team and get ready to compete!

The event features four days of film screenings, two days of panel discussions and lectures, a convention starting on Friday afternoon, special guests, networking Karaoke parties, live competitions and more.


***PLEASE READ ALL RULES/TERMS BEFORE SUBMITTING***

The Festival That Stole Christmas – December 13, 2025

Presented by the London Festival of Cinema in collaboration with the Northern Festival of Cinema

Our next event is a special one-day celebration of unity, storytelling, and festive spirit. The Festival That Stole Christmas brings together multiple film festivals across the UK to spotlight diverse voices and spread the magic of cinema during the holiday season. Held in London, this unique event blends the warmth of Christmas with the excitement of independent film, championing togetherness through powerful stories.

At the London Festival of Cinema, our ongoing mission is to champion the work of writers and filmmakers, and this goal has never felt as urgent as it does today. Our film competition has grown year after year, and so have our efforts to serve as an avenue into the ever-evolving entertainment industry.

Known as the “Filmmakers' Festival,” the London Festival of Cinema recognizes the importance of narrative at the core of filmmaking. By celebrating the work of storytellers—those committed to crafting intricate worlds, fully-formed characters, and diverse perspectives—LFOC bolsters its reputation as a champion for the creator.

4 REASONS TO SUBMIT TO THE LONDON FESTIVAL OF CINEMA:

THE SELECTION PROCESS
We take to heart the amount of work put into each film. By submitting your work to LFOC, you’re entering into a dynamic community where new visions and untapped talent can flourish. Beyond production value, budget, and stars, we value the power of a well-told story. The LFOC screening team comprises filmmakers, industry professionals, and staff members passionate about the art of filmmaking and the craft of storytelling.

THE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
The festival is a hotspot for networking, with numerous opportunities to connect with key players in the film industry. Meet distributors, agents, producers, and fellow filmmakers in our movie theaters, conference halls, and social events. Many films find distribution deals, and important industry connections are made each year at our festival.

THE CITY
London is a vibrant hub for creativity, culture, and innovation. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and diverse cultural scene, the city provides an inspiring backdrop for our festival. From historic landmarks to trendy eateries, there's something for everyone in this cosmopolitan capital.

THE LFOC HUB
LFOC isn’t your average fest. Beyond the screenings, the festival is a thriving hub of filmmakers and supporters. Our parties are where relationships are forged, and subsequent projects are born. There's no hierarchy here—just passionate individuals coming together to celebrate the magic of cinema.

NOTE:
The notification date listed is the maximum date you’d be notified (December 2025), but in most cases, you'll receive a decision 1–2 business weeks after submission.

The Central India International Film Festival (CIIFF) is a prominent cultural event that brings together Filmmakers, Artists, and Cinephiles from across the globe to celebrate the magic of cinema. Held annually, CIIFF provides a platform for both emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work on an international stage, with a focus on promoting global talent and diverse storytelling.

The International Uranium Film Festival (IUFF) is one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World 2024”. Thanks to the prestigious MovieMaker Magazine. One year before the Fukushima reactor exploded, the International Uranium Film Festival (IUFF) was founded in 2010 in Santa Teresa, the famous artist quarter in the heart of Rio de Janeiro. The first Uranium Film Festival then was held in May 2011. Main venue is the Cinematheque of Rio de Janeiro's Modern Art Museum (MAM Rio). The festival is dedicated to all films about nuclear power and the risks of radioactivity, from uranium mining to nuclear waste, from atomic bombs to nuclear power plants, from Hiroshima to Fukushima. It throws light on all nuclear issues.

With a selection of the best films the festival travels also to other cities and countries. Until today more than 80 Uranium Film Festivals took place in more than 40 cities and seven countries like Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Jordan, Portugal and USA. Since its first edition in Hollywood in 2016, the International Uranium Film Festival (IUFF) is also known as The Atomic Age Cinema Fest.

The fun bit:

We're the UK's largest Celebration of Diverse Stories and Underrepresented Filmmakers. Join us or submit to our 5th celebratory edition.

The next BIFA Qualifying Sunrise Film Festival takes place from 20 to 23 August 2026 in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Our 5th edition sees us accepting submissions for new categories, from music videos to Virtual Reality (VR) projects.


The serious bit:

Sunrise Film Festival, based in Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK, was founded in 2021 and is run voluntarily by passionate independent film enthusiasts and filmmakers to provide an important accessible platform for filmmakers like themselves every August.

We're passionate about creating a platform for filmmakers who are yet to be discovered (or picked up by the bigger film festival circuit), whilst making film accessible and proudly showcasing independent film to new audiences across overlooked communities.

Since 2021, we have screened just over 600 independent films as part of our official selection to our live audiences and have presented 65 awards at our festival award ceremonies since inception.

We're also a BFI Film Audience Network-backed film festival and a BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) qualifying festival for British Short Films (Section B*).

Why Sunrise Film Festival?

As Suffolk's biggest film festival, we're passionate about creating an inclusive platform for filmmakers here in East Anglia.

We've proudly been the bright and colourful film festival since 2021, loved by filmmakers for the friendly grassroots feel. We're a small team, but our festival pacts impact, showcasing film in one of the most deprived communities in England, and we've awarded as well as showcased some impactful stories along the way.

We value and proudly promote films from any filmmaker, creative, or producer to the general public, including receiving submissions from first-time filmmakers, female/non-binary filmmakers, neurodiverse filmmakers, stories from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with lived experience, as well as films focusing on social and environmental issues.

If you need help with entering your short film into Sunrise Film Festival via Festhome, have questions about submitting, or need support with a waiver code (subject to eligibility), you can email us at info@sunrisefilmfestival.co.uk or DM us on Instagram @sunrisefilmfest.

*Rules & eligibility on Section B at BIFA can be found by visiting https://www.bifa.film/about/rules-and-eligibility/

“From the roots to the flower” is this year's slogan of the first edition festival Ilinden Days. We started the creation of our film program from the roots of the Bitola's film tradition, the one of the Manaki brothers – the first cinematographers in Macedonia and in the Balkan, who left us invaluable testimonies of the everyday life and the great events of their time, engraved on the film tape. They actually made the first ethnographic documentaries.

It was natural that the Festival Ilinden Days, which has risen to international level, to include in its rich program a festival of ethnographic films. Then the creation of new customs and beliefs. All covered by the artistic passion of the artists, who follow the need to leave indelible traces with their cameras.

In addition to the high cinematographic quality of the films, during the selection we were guided by their capacity to convey important messages, which justifies their selection. We hope that our program will succeed to attract and surprise the festival's audience, because these are strong films, which can surprise us, disturb us, soften us, make us happy, provoke us to think, change our view, oppose us, therefore after each screening we will be able to exchange opinions about each of the films.

In 1971 in Macedonia a great idea was born, a wish of a group of professionals, enthusiasts, dreamers, visionaries, an idea which became reality. A springhead, a glowing heart of a cultural organism has been created. A heart which beats, motivates, initiates, boosts, educates.

In 1971 in Bitola was established the International Festival for folk songs and dances “Iliindenski denovi” in Bitola. The name of the Festival is symbolical, its mission is generous while its goals and criteria are deeply integrated and conceived. This festival is dedicated to most hardworking people and their creations which endured the criteria of value through time. This is e Festival which presents, promotes and documents the deed of priceless folk cultural tradition. Thousands of folk artists, millions of visitors, numerous photos, audio, video documents, telegraphed materials, documents for the next generations. On all four parts of the world, the Festival realized its mission, sent messages, thus attracting a great number of authentic values of the cultural heritage fans.

Nevertheless, after all these years the beginning is here, since the new generations should also learn about and as well dance “Teskoto”, “Kopacka”, “Nevestinsko”, Komitsko”…
Every generation implements its own rock in the priceless mosaic of the Festival, a monument, a textbook…

This text is just sparkle from the great fire, a small stone in the mosaic. It has been written with lots of love, respect, and a wish for this Festival to continue.

The Association “L’Officina Culturale” APS of Chivasso (TO), as part of the International Festival-Competition “TCC-TeatroCinemaChivasso”, organises the VII edition of the CortiCinema "U30" 2025 Competition.

This is a competition among short films from all over the world, without restrictions, to which participation is free of charge.

Only works that include at least two people aged 30 or under at the time of registration, in their artistic and/or technical cast, are admitted to the competition.

You will find on the website https://www.officinaculturale.net/concorso-corticinema-u30 the Call for Entry with all the information relating to the Juries and Awards, as well as the Registration Form to be sent to the email address: officina.corticinema@gmail.com

Stories and storytellers surround us despite that, most stories go unheard and cannot reach their audience.

UGIFF is India's first underground film festival.

UGIFF is the festival, promising to bring stories that struggle to reach and garner independent cinema.

Festival of Global Artists, Storytellers, and Audiences.

Come, witness the disruption, be a part of the movement.

Celebrate Cinema| Promote Art | Support Artists'

Our goal is to give you an appreciation of a wide variety of genres, from horror, sci-fi, and fantasy to comedies, thrillers, and music-related films. Besides finding great films, we intend to showcase and promote talented local and international storytellers.

We intend to present a wide range of work exploring the various definitions and interpretations of the concept of 'Underground'.

Bringing innovative and challenging selections that challenge and appease the interests of all film lovers, we aim to support and contribute to the globally thriving arts community.

The second edition of Decolonizing Frames is finally here!

Decolonizing Frames aims to unravel narratives beyond the confines of North-American and European perspectives, celebrating wordly knowledge and identities.

Nowadays we are living the consequences of colonialism in all its aspects: racism, patriarchy, cultural, economical and political capitalism and hegemony. Decolonizing Frames seeks to address and dismantle these legacies by shedding light on alternative narratives. Through short films, we aim to disrupt the status quo, encouraging a reevaluation of societal norms and fostering appreciation for diverse knowledge systems and ways of life.

Through the powerful medium of short films, we encourage producers to showcase the richness of cultures, native languages and ways of living, contributing to a collective understanding of decolonial perspectives.

Decolonizing Frames seeks to be a catalyst for meaningful conversations, amplifying voices and narratives that have been historically overlooked. We invite filmmakers to be part of this transformative journey, submitting works that contribute to the discourse on decoloniality.

The 2nd edition of Decolonizing Frames will be held in 2026 in Turin (Italy).

You have unitil 31 May 2026, 23:59 to submit your short films.

Your short films must intimately explore the core theme of decoloniality:

the legacy of colonialism in contemporary societies
cultural erasure and resistance
racialization, migration, and borders
gender, queerness, and the colonial matrix of power
language, memory, and ancestral knowledge
environmental destruction and extractivism in the Global South
ody, identity, and visibility in postcolonial and diasporic contexts
visual sovereignty and self-representation
spirituality and cosmologies beyond Western frameworks

thus challenging colonial norms and fostering a deeper understanding of alternative narratives.

The festival was established by Education Expo TV in order to salute the great contribution of earlier filmmakers who have developed the cinema and considered as cinema fathers like Dadasaheb Phalke, Lumière brothers', Thomas Edison, Lev Kuleshov, Sergei Eisenstein, Vsevolod Pudovkin, William Kennedy Dickson, DW Griffth, George Melies, Edwin S Porter and many others great visionaries of cinema. Cinema Father International Film Festival is a competitive festival of Feature, Shorts, Doc, Music Videos & Animation produced by worldwide professionals. The festival is celebrating the achievement taking place in cinema & honoring the innovativeness, effectiveness, creativity & new ideas globally.

The objective behind the festival is to recognize the best talent and setting new milestone in the most amazing indie cinema industry. The CFIFF is an India’s first independent films festival providing platform to showcases the work of aspirant, young & experience professionals globally. CFIFF is also providing platform for professional networking, sharing of ideas & knowledge. The CFIFF awards honor the groundbreaking films and talent. We extend warm invitation to participate in 2026 edition and hope it turns milestone in your film career.

NRW Film Festival 2025

The NRW Film Festival is a brand-new platform dedicated to discovering and celebrating bold, original, and inspiring voices in cinema. Launched in 2025, the festival provides filmmakers from across the globe with an opportunity to showcase their work in North Rhine-Westphalia, one of Germany’s most culturally vibrant regions.

The inaugural edition of the festival will take place in December 2025, bringing together audiences, creators, and industry professionals for a unique celebration of short films. With a strong focus on emerging talent, the NRW Film Festival welcomes films up to 20 minutes in length across genres—ranging from social impact stories to commercial and entertainment-driven films.

In main event, selected short films will be chosen and featured as part of the festival’s rolling curation. These monthly selections will culminate in a grand annual screening event in December 2025, where the year’s most outstanding works will be celebrated on the big screen.

The NRW Film Festival strives to create a space where filmmakers can connect, exchange ideas, and inspire change through the power of storytelling. We ensuring that independent voices have a chance to be seen and heard.

The Serra Elétrica Film Club promotes a diverse program, holding non-competitive screenings of short films in the fantasy genre (suspense, horror, experimental, drama, and science fiction), all directed and/or written by women.

The first edition of the Serra Elétrica Film Club was held with the support of the Coletivo Audiovisual Lageano (CAL). This group, formed in 2014, works to promote audiovisual production in the Serra Catarinense region. Composed of various artists, cultural producers, and local industry professionals, CAL
aims to promote actions related to the appreciation, encouragement, and democratization of audiovisual production.

The Papagena Screenwriting Festival is a space dedicated to celebrating the art of audiovisual writing in its many forms. Focused exclusively on screenplays, the festival seeks to recognize new creative voices and offer visibility to original short, feature, series, and documentary projects.

Entirely online and accessible, the event features free workshops, lectures, and discussion groups, fostering exchanges between screenwriters, audiovisual professionals, and the public interested in the creative process.

Our goal is to encourage the creation of innovative stories, recognize emerging talent, and build a support network for those who want to transform words into images. More than just awarding awards, the Papagena Screenwriting Festival is an invitation to join a creative, diverse, and collaborative community.

Colombian Urban Art Film Festival (CUAFF) is an independent film festival based in Bogotá, Colombia. We spotlight bold, raw, and vibrant cinematic works that capture the spirit of the streets — exploring urban art, hip hop, identity, resistance, and the pulse of unsanctioned expression.

We are especially drawn to stories that emerge from the underground — train yards, rooftops, and city walls — where creativity exists outside the lines. Our mission is to amplify the voices of filmmakers who see the street as a living canvas and cinema as a tool for disruption and truth. We welcome short films, documentaries, experimental pieces, and hybrid formats that break boundaries and provoke thought.

Welcome to the Tadeus Film & Music International Festival!

The Tadeus Film & Music International Festival is a global celebration of creativity, music, and cinema—a place where innovation and passion come together. This festival is for everyone! From emerging filmmakers to established musicians, artists from around the world are invited to share their stories and visions, regardless of genre or format.

We are proud to be an inclusive space, where every piece of art—no matter its origin—is celebrated. The festival aims to explore the many dimensions of art and film, creating a platform for innovative and free expression, with a special focus on works that convey powerful messages, whether in support of social justice, the well-being of living beings, or any cause that inspires you.

In addition, we feature a unique category dedicated to content created with artificial intelligence, making our festival a cutting-edge platform for exploring new technological frontiers in the arts.

With a completely online format, the Tadeus Film & Music International Festival allows artists from every corner of the world to share their work without barriers. It’s the perfect opportunity for your talent to be seen and appreciated by a global audience!

So if you have a musical piece or short film you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to join us! Tadeus is the perfect stage for your art to be recognized, shared, and applauded.

Let your creativity shine at the TADEUS Film & Music International Festival!

FESTIVAL ONLINE PRESENCE: (PRESS)
Escribiendo Cine:
https://www.escribiendocine.com/noticias/2025/02/25/19261-tadeus-film--music-festival-abre-inscripciones-para-cineastas/

Rubik Audiovisual:
https://rubik-audiovisual.com/el-tadeus-film-music-international-festival-abre-convocatoria-para-su-primera-edicion/

Pilar Diario:
https://www.pilaradiario.com/cultura-y-espectaculos/la-artista-pilarense-luzabril-abre-las-puertas-un-festival-internacional-n5460409

Entre Notas y Acordes:
https://entrenotasyacordes.com/?p=14291

Nota al Pie:
https://www.notaalpie.com.ar/2025/03/06/tadeus-film-music-festival/

Aquí Música:
https://aqui-musica.com/noticias/se-abre-la-convocatoria-para-el-tadeus-film-music-festival/

Notas del Mar:
https://notasdelmar.com/noticia/musica/2025/03/13/nace-el-tadeus-film-music-festival-donde-el-arte-encuentra-su-voz/10322.html

Tierra Under:
https://www.tierraunder.com.ar/nace-el-tadeus-film-music-festival-donde-el-arte-encuentra-su-voz/

Kabina Radio 34:
https://kabina34radio.com/nace-el-tadeus-film-music-international-festival-un-encuentro-de-cine-musica-y-tecnologia/

En Tijuana hay rock:
https://www.threads.net/@entijuanahayrock/post/DHoVxlKPAGU/el-tadeus-film-music-international-festival-abre-sus-puertas-al-mundo-como-un-es

Revista La Negra:
https://revistalanegra.com.ar/nace-el-tadeus-film-music-festival-donde-el-arte-encuentra-su-voz/