We are now accepting submissions for LIFF 2024
Leeds International Film Festival presents an extensive and diverse programme of discovery that celebrates new filmmaking talent from around the world with several of our short film programmes qualifying for the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and BIFAs. You can now enter your film to LIFF 2024 using the Filmfreeway platform where you can find full information about our categories and criteria. You only need to enter your film into one category: if your film is eligible for other categories it will still be considered by the programme selectors.
The key dates for submissions for LIFF 2024 are:
- Earlybird deadline - 6 March 2024
- Regular deadline - 26 June 2024
- Late deadline - July 31 2024
- Notification date - 11 September 2024
- LIFF 2024 dates - 1-17 November 2024
For LIFF 2023 we received 5278 feature and short film submissions from over 120 countries for our four programme sections for new films: Official Selection for narrative features; Cinema Versa for documentary features and shorts; Fanomenon for fantasy genre features and shorts; and Leeds Short Film Awards with seven competition categories and £6000 in cash prizes.
Submitting films to LIFF 2024 - FAQs
Q. How do I submit my film?
A. We use FilmFreeway for all our feature and short film submissions.
Q. I'm not sure if my film is a feature or a short film?
A. We classify films under 45 minutes as a short film and 45 minutes or over as a feature film. For the Queer Short and Screendance categories, films must not exceed 20 minutes.
Q. My film is eligible for multiple categories, do I have to submit to them all?
A. No, you only need to submit once to the category you feel best suits your feature or short film. Your film may be selected to a different category than the one you submit to, however we will contact you about this for permission before the final selection is made.
Q. When should my film be completed to be eligible to submit?
A. Only films completed after 1st January 2023 will be considered for the competitive sections for LIFF 2024.
Q. How many films can I submit?
A. There is no limit to how many films you can submit. If you want to submit multiple films you may be eligible for a discounted rate: please contact us at leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk for more information.
Q. My film does not have a BBFC rating?
A. Films selected for LIFF without a BBFC certificate are certified for over 18s only even if the content does not require it: this is because it is not possible to secure an individual certificate for every film we select from the local licensing authority. We do apply for exceptions for certain films.
Q. I'm from a sales agency or film school and I want to submit multiple films.
A. Please contact us directly at leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk
Q. Do I need to provide closed captions or subtitles with my submission?
A. For all submissions not in the English language, we ideally require embedded English closed captions or otherwise subtitles.
Q. I have had a submission for LIFF accepted before and I'd like to submit a new film.
A. We love to support LIFF alumni! Please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk and let us know.
Q. I'm a local filmmaker, can I get a discount?
A. We do not offer discounts for local filmmakers.
Q. I'm a student, is there a student short film competition?
A. We don't have a student short film competition but if your film school would like to submit multiple films they may be eligible for a discounted submission rate. Please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk
Q. Can I submit a work in progress?
A. We can accept a submission where the final sound mix is not yet complete, for example, but we would need to see a fully completed version of the film by the final deadline date of 9 August 2023.
Q. My film is made for children/families, will it still be considered?
A. Absolutely! We welcome films for all ages, however, if you would like to submit a film more catered towards families and children it may be considered for Leeds Young Film Festival instead, part of the Leeds Film family which takes place annually around Easter.
Q. I'm having issues submitting my film on Filmfreeway
A. Please visit www.filmfreeway.com/help.
Q. How will I find out if my film is selected or not?
A. You will receive notification from the LIFF team on 11 September 2024.
Q. If my film is selected, when would it be screened?
A. LIFF 2024 will run from 1-17 November 2024.
Q. I submitted my film, what now?
A. If the fee is paid and you have completed the submission, you can relax! Follow us on social media @leedsfilmfest and @leedsshortfilm for updates. You will receive notification if your film is selected or not on 11 September 2024.
Q. What are the film awards and prizes for LIFF 2024?
A. Please check our Filmfreeway page for specific information about each category. We award a total of £8000 in cash prizes.
If you have any questions that have not been answered here please email leeds.film@leeds.gov.uk