Blog: Film festivals

Cinema is an art form that needs to be simultaneously nourished and challenged and ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival provides the perfect arena for indie filmmakers to express authentic cinematic storytelling in the most compelling ways possible.

As one the World’s truly stand out independent film festivals, ÉCU embraces innovation and creativity and allows directors in competition to showcase their films to audiences who appreciate and love independent cinema. Filmmakers who are selected into ÉCU’s Official Selection join an active community of creatives who continually push the boundaries of indie cinema.

"It is always an absolute joy to present one's work at ECU. The team are fantastically helpful, the jury extremely competent, and the selection of the highest quality. I would recommend participating to anyone who's in love with indie filmmaking!" - Celina Liesegang, producer of Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human body, ÉCU 2022 Official Selection

"It's always a pleasure having our films at ÉCU, especially this year with our awarded short film "Useless"! The communication has been great during the whole process and our filmmakers are so excited to be part of this competition. See you again next year with new projects!" - Marta Salvador Tato, distributor of USELESS, the winner of the Best European Independent Dramatic Short award 2022

Since its inception in 2006 ÉCU has forged a path for independent film and the scope of its presence has grown to a global scale with the festival often being referenced as the European equivalent of Sundance, an honour that we don’t take lightly.

Spring is not only a fabulous time for Paris but an exciting time for ÉCU because that is when we showcase roughly around 100 of the World’s very best independent films. Although ÉCU emphasises European talent, it also recognises the genius of international filmmakers with several categories allocated to non-European films.

The next ÉCU, the 19th edition, will take place on the 19th, 20th and 21st of April, 2024 in Paris, France.

ÉCU isn’t just all about screening an amazing slate of films over its three-day event in Paris in April. There are also professional workshops led by experts in the industry, Q&A’s held with the attending filmmakers after every screening session and a chance to network with fellow filmmakers, producers, agents, industry representatives, prospective film buyers and, of course, the cinema-loving public. At ÉCU, there is a continual dialogue celebrating and critiquing the world’s best indie cinema of today.


Though ÉCU’s main event IS the three-day festival in Paris each spring, there is even more! Thanks to our over 50 partner festivals, partner organizations, film centres and film commissions, ÉCU’s goes on an annual world tour called ÉCU-On-The-Road, which gives award-winning films (as well as many of the Official Selection films) the opportunity to have their films screened to a broader, global audience. ÉCU-On-The-Road showcased films in over 80 countries around the globe in 2016 - 2023 at special ÉCU mini-festivals, partner festivals, cultural institutions and film schools, including an amazing seven day special festival in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was made possible through the support of Caixa Cultural, São Paulo and was a huge success. ÉCU also held special events in Berlin (Germany), Cannes (France) and was part of festivals in Lebanon, Italy, Russia, USA, Romania, Austria, Denmark and ot­her countries. This gives ÉCU filmmakers great exposure to audiences that they may never have reached.

Since 2006, ÉCU has helped the careers of literally hundreds of independent filmmakers, actors, DPs, editors, screenwriters and is honoured to be firmly established as one of the World’s eminent indie film festivals.

Above all, we are proud to be a filmmakers’ festival!

The London International Student Film Festival screenings in London will provide exposure and publicity for new filmmakers.
There will also be professional networking and learning opportunities.
The winners will be announced during the festival.

The festival was started in 2016 and first screened at London Southbank University.
The 2023 screenings are in early April and we intend them to be in-person 'live' screenings. See our exciting programme at www.londonisfilmfestival.com under the programme tag.

Seoul Metro International subway Film Festival(SMIFF) with cooperation of Shinhancard introduces various world-wide extreme-short films on Seoul and Barcelona subway monitors and aims to contribute in making cosmopolitan cultural environment where anyone can enjoy movies in various places beyond cinemas.

Through cinematic, humanistic and visionary perspectives, the Gothenburg Arab Film Festival starts from the Bride of Scandinavia, a cultural space that knows no boundaries to explore identity in the Arab world and the Diaspora through documentaries and short feature films by Arab directors, or by directors from other countries working on issues affecting the Arab world.

The main aim of the festival is to create opportunities for joint dialogue between Arab and foreign filmmakers to promote a culture of tolerance and to reject a culture of hatred, violence.

The festival spotlight documentaries and short fiction describing, analyzing and explaining deep problems in the Arab world, highlighting in particular fears faced by Arab citizens.

At Göteborg Arab Film Festival we are pleased to receive a wide range of audiovisual work, video/sound art, film, and new media work will be accepted: experimental, documentary, animation, narrative, non-narrative, multimedia, virtual reality, augmented reality, net art, interactive media, etc.

Submissions for the 10th Breaking Down Barriers running November 5-9, 2020 are now open!

The one and the oldest Russian Disability Film Festival takes place in Moscow, Russia every two years. Festival has been organized by Russian disability NGO Perspektiva since 2002.

Festival strives to promote a complex image of people with disabilities through films and to educate members of the community about issues that effect the lives of disabled people worldwide.

During the first nine festivals more than 800 films from 55 countries were screened. More than 15 000 people attended Moscow’s festivals and more than 100,000 people in 30 regions of Russia attended regional festivals. Festivals also took place in Armenia, the Kirgiz Republic, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

Casa Delfino onlus Foundation is proud to present the 11th edition of WORLD FEST FEST.
The WORLD FEST FEST is "short-documentary" film festival that promotes the potential of the moving picture as a tool to spread culture and as a social gathering. It supportes sperimentation in favour of the expression of the author, audiovisual quality and the new generations' creativity.

It also aims at the contribution to the quality of the celebrations by hosting events that are especially interesting in many cultural aspects and promoting a constructive dialogue among them.We also want to create a dialogue among different customs and traditions.

The WORLD FEST FEST 2020 will take place in Cuneo (Italy), on Sunday 6th September 2020.

Independent horror film festival in the heart of London at the Variety Screening Room in the intimate and boutique Karma Sanctum Hotel; showing the best international films from horror, sci fi, thriller and fantasy.

Founded in 2018, our inaugural year saw us play host to 12 features (8 of which seeing their UK premiere) and 18 short films, which were received to a rapturous welcome to a sold out crowd and firmly established itself to holding a commitment to exhibit the best the genre has to offer, and delivered to the audience at a price not prohibitive to most.

"Now there is a new kid on the chopping block, the Soho Horror Film Festival, ... in the bijou basement cinema of the Karma Sanctum Hotel on Warwick Street.
Here, over two tight-packed days, 12 features and even more shorts (each carefully matched in theme to the accompanying feature) were screened, all under the fastidious and eclectic curation of programmer Mitch Harrod. The regendered trope-twisting hilarity of Laurel Vail’s What Metal Girls Are Into and Ilja Rautsi’s Helsinki Mansplaining Massacre were the standouts in what was a very strong showcase of shorts, while among the most enjoyable features were Trevor Stevens’ Rock Steady Row, Mike Testin and Matt Mercer’s madcap Dementia Part II, Luke Jaden’s family haunter Boo!. But the highlight of the weekend was Tilman Singer’s Luz, which headlined a special LGBTQ Queer Fears Gala" - Little White Lies

Sweet screams.

The North Europe International Film Festival is one of four Festivals presented by Fusion International Film Festivals.

With Directors Dan Hickford & Steve Grossmith at the helm; the duo love to spend as much time as possible connecting with creatives before, during and after each festival.

Our mission is to bring in film, script & photography projects from ALL over the globe. We host festivals 'Where Creative Minds Meet.'

What can Fusion International Film Festivals offer that you can't already get?
The fact is that the films, scripts & photography projects that we showcase will in the vast majority of cases be exclusive to the Film Festival circuit during that time and, from regions & countries from around the world.

Just imagine the breadth of work on-show. For genuine cinephiles, this kind of stuff is cinematic heaven. But you can't maintain a Festival with that alone. It’s the experience. We’re proud to say that what we are is a “Boutique” set of Festivals. This means that this experience is substantially different from going to a Festival held at a local multi-plex or concert hall and that means a huge advantage for you.

Our North Europe International Film Festival is all held in one convenient location; All of the screenings, meetings, networking, industry panels, Awards Night and even hotel rooms. That means that we will always be there, supporting you and your project from before the Festival starts to the closing ceremony. So we won’t be hard to find, or difficult to locate, we know how important it is for Festival organisers to be on hand and to supply that all important personal touch. How do we know? We know because we already have huge experience in running other Film Festivals and from that we also know how to make it a better experience for you. With Fusion, it will be.

Independent filmmakers and creatives face many challenges; the large competition for viewers’ attention, finding funding and getting a distributor can only be overcome by the industry coming together and creating opportunities for those who need and deserve it. Our Festival’s aim are to create an opportunity for filmmakers to show their work to the right audience at our intimate and relaxing events, and get one step closer to success by receiving recognition for their art.

An up-and-coming filmmaker can get his/her name out there and increase their awareness just by being nominated at one of the Fusion International Film Festivals. The filmmaker can receive acknowledgement upon completion of their project and having it screened. There is also the potential for awards and recognition; showcasing our Laurels on a nominated project already means that you have the talent, this means it can also attract media, professionals and film fans that are eager to see new films.

With Fusion International Film Festivals you will have the opportunity to meet like-minded people, discuss films and get to know people you wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to speak with; this is something that we actively encourage and you can be confident that our Festivals will be full of new projects and fresh talent.

We believe a key ingredient is the programming, so all of our Festivals are inviting and engaging. This includes professional panels, workshops, script development and even fun filled social events and, through the influence of compelling stories, Fusion International Film Festivals goes to the heart of what moves us and at the same time, reveal stories which we may not be able to see in any other venues.

We are the ideal platform for the exchange of ideas and the sharing of experiences; your journey begins by submitting today!

It has been an amazing ride for us and the feedback and reviews from filmmakers has been incredible and we would like to thank everyone that entered all of our Festivals – the growing reputation and success we have is sincerely because of you.

The aim of the festival is to promote the culture and creativity of independent filmmakers, giving them the possibility to contribute socially with what they know how to do, cinema, and deliver it free of charge to the people. Festhome, as a company, is no stranger to the current situation, and would like to help within its possibilities by making a donation to the virus research for each film made.

Falcon International Film Festival is changing the way that people think of short films. We are looking for the very best short films that are entertaining and tell a story. The sort of short films that people want to watch. That makes them laugh. Or cry. That shock and surprise.

OFFICIAL IMDB QUALIFYING AWARD

The new season is now open!! Send your movie and win our trophy.

The FIFFLONDON is a monthly festival with yearly live screening in London that awards the best movies from every corner of the planet.

The winners of the monthly edition will automatically enter the annual competition, free of charge.

We strongly believe that every movie is the result of hard work and, as such, they deserve our jury’s full attention during the evaluation and the best works deserve our acknowledgment and appreciation.

The selected movies, as well as the winners, will receive a golden laurel wreath, which can be used in advertising material.

Winning films are announced on our website and our social media page.

FIFFLONDON is a monthly film competition. Each month, our Jury will award the best films through private screenings. The Best Picture monthly winners will compete in December 2021 for the Best of Fest award (best film of the year). FIFFLONDON’s annual judging team will select the winners in all the main categories, such as Narrative Film, Documentary and Animation.

As a part of this festival occurs every month, there are more chances to hang the golden laurel on your favourite movies!

Films entered in multiple categories may win multiple awards.

International competition official short film competition 10 international film festival in the mountains.

The Addis International Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual film festival created by Initiative Africa in 2007 and held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The festival is the largest independent documentary cinema festival in Africa and it was established as a unique initiative seeking to use the power of documentary films to support innovative ways of creating awareness on social issues.

The festival is a celebratory and educational event showcasing a carefully curated selection of films from both seasoned and emerging filmmakers addressing a wide range of themes such as peace building, inequality, women empowerment, children's rights, and much more.


The 18th Edition of the Addis International Film Festival (AIFF). As Ethiopia's established social activist, Initiative Africa will be hosting a five-day documentary film festival starting May 15th to May 19th, 2024, bringing more than 30 local and international movies, under the themes of Action for Peace, Security, and Reconciliation, Gender Equality and Inclusivity, Food and Environmental Security, and Health Care which will be taking place at the Alliance Ethio-Française, Hager Fikir Theater, Goethe-Institut Äthiopien and Italian Cultural institute in Addis Ababa.

The audience of the festival are mostly the youth and educated community who have the courage to change their society. We screen the films for free with no payment required for entrance.

Original Version in Catalan

VOC Festival Òmnium de Curtmetratges és un projecte impulsat per Òmnium Cultural amb la finalitat d’estimular la producció de curtmetratges de qualitat en català, contribuir a la seva difusió i ampliar-ne el públic.

El VOC és un festival únic perquè arriba a més de 90 sales d’arreu dels Països Catalans simultàniament durant els mesos de febrer i març. És un punt de trobada entre creadors, públic i referents del sector, una oportunitat per compartir l’experiència del cinema en llengua catalana.

Cinequest was voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers. Cinequest programs 85-90% of its festival from paid submissions annually, the highest percentage of the world's most influential film festivals.

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place." - Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) will occur both Live in San Jose / Silicon Valley and Globally via its proprietary Virtual platform. Cinequest has been a leader in building community, audiences, and opportunity for film and filmed media via groundbreaking tech and paradigms for decades and will continue the golden combination of live and online post pandemic.

Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) in San Jose / Silicon Valley: Set in the home of the world’s most influential media technology companies (Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, Occulus etc.) CQFF showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology—empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences. Last year Cinequest hosted the World or U.S. Premiere of 132 films from 55 countries including a robust showcases of Mexican, Central and South American, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese Cinema. CQFF has led the world in its showcase and implementation of the technologies that have revolutionized film making, exhibition and distribution. CQFF’s blend of the artist and innovator gains focus through its Maverick Awards. Its Maverick Spirit Awards recognizes artists (Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage, Elle Fanning, J.J. Abrams, Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bill Nighy, Ben Kingsley, Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee, James Franco, Neil Gaiman, and Sir Ian McKellen are among the guest recipients). Its Maverick Innovator Award recognizes technologists (including Martin Cooper, father of the cell phone, and Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple Inc.). A Maverick stands apart from the crowd willing to create and innovate from a place of personal yet global vision.

Cinequest connects artists, innovators, media, and audiences—as people converge to experience a potent mix of immersive stories from around the globe and breakthrough technologies. Yet, Cinequest’s stellar reputation not only hinges on its knack for creating a powerful line-up, but also for securing distribution for many of its honored filmmakers. Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, MSNBC Films, Oscilloscope, Sony Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Kino-Lorber, eOne, Lionsgate, PBS, and HBO are just a few of the many that have signed deals with some of Cinequest's success stories.

Also, as an Academy-qualifying festival for the short film categories, Cinequest is proud to honor the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation prizes with a shot at every filmmaker's dream...Oscar gold.

"This festival is one that sets the trends and is actually ahead of the trends. Other festivals are copying Cinequest; I see it all the time."-- Chris Gore (Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide)

Exhibiting unique social and artistic visions from around the globe, Cinequest’s dynamic festival engages audiences in thought-provoking dialogue, giving film artists and film lovers alike an opportunity to connect. Furthermore, Cinequest provides cutting edge technology and movie-making forums to empower professionals and students.

JUST A FEW OF THE BIG FILMS & VR WHICH HAVE BEEN A PART OF CINEQUEST’S PROGRAM:
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (dir. Terry Gilliam; starring Adam Driver, Jonathan Pryce)
Hotel Mumbai (dir. Anthony Mara; starring Armie Hammer, Dev Patel)
The Public (dir. Emilio Estevez; starring Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone)
Teen Spirit (dir. Max Minghella; starring Elle Fanning)
Beirut (dir. Brad Anderson; starring Rosamund Pike, Jon Hamm)
Borg/McEnroe (dir. Janus Metz; starring Shia LeBeouf)
Krystal (dir. William H Macy; starring Nick Robinson, Rosario Dawson)
Submergence (dir. Wim Wenders; starring James McAvoy)
What They Had (dir. Elizabeth Chomko; starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon)
The Humanity Bureau VR (starring Nicolas Cage)

JUST A FEW OF THE CINEQUEST WORLD AND U.S. PREMIERES WHICH HAVE RECEIVED DISTRIBUTION:
I Love You Both, dir. Doug Archibald (narrative, Magnolia Pictures)
East Side Sushi, dir. Anthony Lucero (narrative, Sony Pictures)
Midnight Clear, dir. Dallas Jenkins (narrative, Lionsgate)
Fixed, dir. Alonso Mayo (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Witch Hunt, dir. Don Hardy, Dana Nachman (documentary, MSNBC Films)
Mine 9, dir. Eddie Mensore (narrative, Raven Banner Entertainment)
Temps, dir. Ryan Sage (narrative, FilmBuff)
A Beginner’s Guide to Snuff, dir. Mitch Altieri (narrative, Indican Pictures)
Dear Zachary, dir. Kurt Kuenne (documentary, Oscilloscope Pictures)
Buddy Solitaire, dir. Kuang Lee (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Dependent’s Day, dir. Michael David Lynch (narrative, Freestyle Digital)
Lost Solace, dir. Chris Scheuerman (narrative, Raven Banner Entertainment)
Friends Effing Friends Effing Friends, dir. Quincy Rose (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Search Engines, dir. Russell Brown narrative, (Indican Pictures)
ToY, dir. Patrick Chapman (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Wake, dir. Ellie Kanner (narrative, E1 Entertainment)
Blood Car, dir. Alex Orr (narrative, TLA Releasing)
Love in the Time of Monsters (narrative, Indican Pictures)
The Skeptic, dir. Tennyson Bardwell (narrative, IFC Films)
On the Doll, dir. Thomas Mignone (narrative, Peace Arch)
El Camino, dir. Erik Weigel (narrative, Lifesize Entertainment)
Family Inc, dir. Emily Ting (documentary, Seventh Art Releasing)
Monster Camp, dir. Cullen Hoback (documentary, Lifesize Entertainment)
Critical Condition, dir. Roger Weisberg (documentary, PBS)
The Nature of Existence, dir. Roger Nygard (documentary, Walking Shadows)
The Brainwashing of My Dad, dir. Jen Senko (documentary, Gravitas Ventures)
God Knows Where I Am, dir. Jed Wider, Todd Wider (documentary, BOND360)
Bel Borba Aqui, dirs. Burt Sun, Andre Costantini (documentary, Oscilloscope)

The main purpose of La mida no importa-Size Doesn’t Matter is to promote short film production and culture.

Further information: www.lamidanoimporta.cat

Kalakari is an exclusive event of INDIA for upcoming artist and thinkers,
An award function, exhibition & artwork kalakari of NGO HELPING HANDS.

On every film entry we give 5 food package to needy peoples 80% Fees goes in charity.

kalakari is the most prestigious Awards for the animation, visual effects, photography segment across the Indian sub-continent and beyond. kalakari by Rishi Nikam event has grown from strength to strength and has become a springboard to showcase talent.

The Awards are open to students, professionals and studios from across the world.

All films will be introduced by a Festival Director.
Dedicated Q&A time for visiting filmmakers at their screening.

BEST OF THE LUCK
shree gajanan

International film festival of entertaining, fantastic and arthouse free genre films.

The Obscura Filmfest was founded by David Ghane in 2016 and has been run by him alone ever since. He is a passionate genre film fan since 1996, attends several film festivals per year since 2004, sometimes helps out there, acts as an extra in horror films and is an extreme film collector.

The Obscura Filmfest specialises in entertaining and fantastic B-movies, films that are rarely shown in cinemas. They show mostly big blockbusters or arthouse films that can be found at most other ordinary film festivals. Even comparable festivals are expanding their programmes to include more and more arthouse. Those who instead like entertaining, smaller and special independent films, but can also imagine bigger productions from far away countries, will find what they are looking for at the Obscura Filmfest: Films that are fun with rough edges, raw and uncompromising; from nasty little horror films to Asian battle epics, there is something for every fan, just no boredom.

It started with small, offbeat, trashy and depraved underground grindhouse films, meanwhile the Obscura also screens commercial, mid-sized films that are traded on the big film markets.

Highlights of the previous festival editions included the German premieres of the Argentinian fantasy sci fi cyberpunk action film "Daemonium", the Ukrainian thriller "Egregor", the Filipino zombie shocker "Day Zero", the Danish horror film "Finale", the ghost comedy "Deadtectives" and the two Backwoods films "What the Waters Left Behind" and its sequel "Scars" 5 years later.

The European premieres of the Indonesian comic superhero film "Valentine" and the Backwoods film "Drifter" were also screened.

Another highlight was the crazy Japanese splatterfest "Kodoku - Meatball Machine" which can look back on a long festival history including the biggest festivals of its kind, as well as the Universal/Blumhouse production "The Hunt".

With "Redbad" and "The Great Battle", two big battle epics were also screened at the Obscura.

The German premiere of the hard-hitting exploitation film "Trauma" in Hanover was even attended by visitors from the Ruhr area.
After its international premiere at the Obscura, the cowboy backwoods film "Lasso" was shown a few months later at the famous british Frightfest.

In 2022, the Obscura had its first two feature-length film world premieres with "All through the Hall" and "Hidden in the Woods II".

At each Obscura there were film guests who introduced their film in person and were available for a Q&A. They came from Ireland, UK, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Greece, Hungary, USA, Argentina, Mexico and of course Germany.

More information incl. an archive on the new and old websites:
https://www.obscurafilmfest.com
https://dvdscot.wixsite.com/obscura

Underneath the Floorboards is based in London's buzzing artistic area of Hackney.

For our 10th Edition we will be continue our online event, which will be screened for a two weeks by our online platform: https://www.visualcontainer.tv/ which screens worldwide and got over ten thousand views last time around, and this time we're aiming for more.

Our showcase is open to artists and filmmakers from all around the world whose work has an experimental, non-linear narrative form. We want to see variety, whether it be experimental film, video art, visual art, digital art, experimental documentary or animation.

No bias, no prejudice, we don't care if you didn't study in the most prestigious art schools. We want to see unique work of an artistic nature, which creates its own language.

This project aims to respond in a creative way to a systemic crisis that prevented artists from working. However, through the digital world these artists will have the possibility to express themselves, to be economically compensated for their work, to conquer new audiences, to contribute to the well-being of all and, thus, to raise their magic and enhance a transdisciplinary culture. Dreaming and achieving is an objective.
This project of interconnection of circus and street arts with cinema and virtual culture will be an urgent response of European solidarity and maintenance of the artistic sector in general, in order to enable content absent in this phase of social emergency.

The first film festival in Matera, an event that wants to become the reference point in the territory. A project that will bring in some of the fundamental characteristics of the great events with many sections and previews directly connected with the American world but without forgetting the attention to the territory and those that characterize it. Masterclasses, retrospectives, guests, appointments with great masters of the cinema and finally contests of various kinds.