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69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF)
2025-10-08 - 2025-10-19 | Various venues
The 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), in partnership with American Express, is set to take place from 8 to 19 October 2025. The event will showcase an array of films, series, and storytelling experiences across London and the UK.
About the Festival
Organized by the British Film Institute, the LFF is the UK’s largest public film event, screening over 300 features, documentaries, and shorts from nearly 50 countries. The festival celebrates creativity, originality, vision, and imagination, presenting the finest contemporary international cinema from both established and emerging filmmakers. Set in the autumn, the festival hosts high-profile awards contenders, screens recently restored archive films, champions new discoveries, and combines curatorial strength with red carpet glamour. It also provides an extensive program of industry events, public forums, education events, lectures, masterclasses, and Q&As with filmmakers and film talent.
Awards
The festival recognizes excellence through several prestigious awards:

Best Film Award (sponsored by American Express)
Grierson Award for Best Documentary
Sutherland Award for Best First Feature Film
Short Film Award

All films selected for the festival are automatically considered for the awards they are eligible for.
Submission Deadlines & Fees
Final deadline for UK and Ireland films:

Friday 23 May 2025, 17:00 BST

Submission fees:

Feature Films (over 50 mins):

Early Bird (by 26 March): £35
Regular (27 March – 7 May): £45
Late (8 May – 23 May): £75

Short and Mid-length Films (up to 50 mins):

Early Bird (by 26 March): £18
Regular (27 March – 7 May): £24
Late (8 May – 23 May): £40

For detailed submission guidelines and to submit your film, please visit the BFI London Film Festival Submissions Page.
Premiere Requirements

Feature Films: Must be UK premieres. Preference is given to films that are World, International, or European premieres.
Short Films: No premiere requirement.

Festival Experience
The LFF offers a hybrid festival experience, with screenings and events taking place in cinemas across London and the UK, as well as online via BFI Player. The festival’s program includes Opening and Closing Night Galas, thematic strands such as Love, Debate, Laugh, Dare, and Experimental, as well as special presentations and restored classics. Additionally, the festival hosts an extensive industry program, providing networking opportunities, panel discussions, and masterclasses for film professionals.
For more information and updates, visit the official BFI London Film Festival website.

Saratov Sufferings International Film Festival of Documentary Drama
2025-09-25 - 2025-09-30 | Dom Kino (House of Cinema), Russia 410031, Saratov, Oktyabrskaya st., 43, Russian Federation
About Saratov Sufferings International Film Festival of Documentary Drama
The Saratov Sufferings International Film Festival is the world’s only film festival dedicated exclusively to the genre of documentary drama. Held every September in Saratov, Russia, the festival was founded over 15 years ago and continues to spotlight theatrical-style documentaries from around the globe.
Saratov has a deep-rooted cinema tradition. Notably, legendary war cinematographer Vladislav Mikosha began his career here at the Lower-Volga Newsreel Studio, the oldest film studio in Russia, established in 1927. Today, this studio operates as a cinema theater and serves as the festival’s main venue.
The festival’s name, Saratov Sufferings, is inspired by an old local folk music genre called “suffering”, known for its emotional refrains and expressive style. Although it is a low-budget festival and does not offer screening fees, participants are rewarded with a welcoming atmosphere, strong community engagement, and a chance to screen their films alongside some of the best in international documentary cinema.
Renowned filmmakers such as Helena Třeštíková, Maria Kravchenko, Alexander Nanau, Kim Longinotto, David Kinsella, and many others have participated in previous editions.
Festival Focus and Requirements
Saratov Sufferings seeks independent, theatrical-style documentary films. It does not accept television-style documentaries or journalistic reports.
This year’s special theme is Volunteering and Civic Activism. The festival welcomes films of any length that explore social transformation and highlight individuals making a difference in their communities.
Awards

Jury Grand Prix
Jury Award for Best Documentary – 1st Prize
Jury Award for Best Documentary – 2nd Prize
Jury Award for Best Documentary – 3rd Prize
Best Cinematography Award (named after Vladislav Mikosha)
Best Debut Award
Special Jury Award
Audience Award for Best Documentary

Submission Rules

Eligible films must be completed after January 1, 2021 (preference for those premiering after January 1, 2022).
Premiere status is not required, though preference is given to films with an open Russian premiere.
Feature-length films that have been theatrically released, broadcast on national TV, or made available on DVD/VOD before the festival are ineligible for competition, unless approved for special screening.
Films not in English must include English subtitles (.srt format).
Submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway.

Toronto Independent Film Festival
2025-09-10 - 2025-09-15 | Paradise Cinema, 1021 Queen Street West, Toronto
The Toronto Independent Film Festival (Toronto Indie) is an annual event dedicated to showcasing the best in micro-budget and no-budget filmmaking from around the globe. Held each September in Toronto, Ontario, the festival serves as a vital platform for emerging and undiscovered filmmakers to present their work to audiences, industry professionals, and potential distributors.
About the Festival
Founded to celebrate true independent cinema, Toronto Indie focuses on films produced with limited resources, emphasizing creativity and storytelling over high production costs. The festival screens a diverse array of features and shorts, providing a space where filmmakers can connect with peers, audiences, and industry insiders.
Screenings take place at the Paradise Cinema, one of Toronto’s cherished venues for independent film, offering an intimate setting that fosters community engagement and appreciation for indie filmmaking.
Awards & Recognition
Toronto Indie honors excellence in various categories, reflecting the diversity and innovation of independent cinema. Awards include:

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film (Jury Award)
Best Short Film (Audience Award)
Best Animated Short
Best Documentary Feature
Best Sci-Fi/Horror Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Music Video
Best Screenplay

These accolades aim to recognize and encourage filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic expression.
Festival Details

Dates: Annually in September
Location: Paradise Cinema, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website: film-fest.ca

The festival’s schedule typically includes multiple days of screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and networking events, creating a comprehensive experience for attendees and participants alike.
Submission Guidelines

Eligibility: Open to international filmmakers; submissions must be independent productions, typically with micro or no budgets.
Categories: Features, shorts, documentaries, animations, experimental films, music videos, and screenplays.
Submission Platform: FilmFreeway – Toronto Indie
Deadlines: Vary each year; check the official website or FilmFreeway for current details.

Toronto Indie is committed to providing a platform for filmmakers who operate outside the traditional studio system, offering them an opportunity to reach new audiences and gain industry recognition.

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
2025-09-04 - 2025-09-14 | Various venues
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is one of the world’s most prestigious and publicly attended film festivals. Established in 1976, TIFF takes place annually in early September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
About TIFF
TIFF showcases a diverse selection of films from around the globe, including features, documentaries, and shorts. The festival is renowned for its role in launching Oscar campaigns, with many People’s Choice Award winners going on to receive Academy Award nominations and wins.
Awards
TIFF presents several awards, both audience-voted and juried:

People’s Choice Award: Voted by festival audiences; a strong indicator of future awards success.
Platform Prize: Awarded by an international jury to a film of high artistic merit and strong directorial vision.
Amplify Voices Awards: Recognizes Canadian films and filmmakers from underrepresented communities.

2025 Festival Details

Dates: September 4–14, 2025
Edition: 50th annual festival
Location: Various venues across Toronto, including the TIFF Lightbox
Website: tiff.net

Preparations for the 2025 festival include the renewal of a sponsorship deal with Rogers Communications and the announcement of an inaugural advisory committee for a planned film market launch in 2026.
Festival Experience
TIFF offers a hybrid festival experience, with screenings and events taking place in cinemas across Toronto and online via digital platforms. The festival’s program includes Gala Presentations, Special Presentations, and various thematic sections, providing audiences with a wide array of cinematic experiences.
For more information and updates, visit the official TIFF website.

Berlin Short Film Festival
2025-08-08 - 2025-08-10 | Babylon Cinema, Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße 30,, Berlin, 10178, Germany
About the Berlin Short Film Festival
The Annual Berlin Short Film Festival showcases bold storytelling, emerging talent, and global perspectives in short filmmaking. Positioned as one of Europe’s top platforms for short-form cinema, the festival brings together creative voices from around the world and invites Berlin audiences to experience the next wave of cinematic innovation.
Held in Germany’s cultural capital, the festival celebrates the power of short films across all genres—giving independent creators the visibility they deserve while embracing experimentation, new techniques, and diverse narratives.
Award Categories
A professional jury selects winners in the following categories:

Best Short Film
Best Short Documentary
Best Short Short Film
Best Sci-Fi Short
Best Horror Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Comedy Short
Best LGBT Short
Best Animated Short
Best Short Feature
Best Music Video

Eligibility & Submission Rules

Open to all genres of short films with a total runtime of under 50 minutes
Special attention is given to low-budget, independent, and emerging voices
Only digital submissions are accepted; no hard copies
Films must include English subtitles if not in English
Submit via FilmFreeway, Click for Festivals, or Festhome

Premiere Policy
There are no premiere restrictions—films screened elsewhere are still welcome.
Festival Director
Claudine Biswas
Official Website: berlinshort.com

Governors Ball Music Festival
2025-06-06 - 2025-06-08 | Flushing Meadows Corona Park, P5R5+2P, Queens, NY, 11354
The Governors Ball Music Festival celebrates music, culture, and community in the heart of New York City. It brings together fans from all over to enjoy:

Diverse musical talent across genres like pop, hip-hop, indie, rock, electronic, and more.
NYC’s cultural energy, with local food vendors, art installations, and brand activations that reflect the city’s creativity.
Community vibes, offering a safe, inclusive space for people to connect, dance, and share memorable experiences.

Since its launch in 2011, the festival has grown into one of NYC’s most iconic summer events, celebrating not just music, but the spirit of New York itself.
2025 Headliners

Friday, June 6: Tyler, the Creator, Benson Boone
Saturday, June 7: Olivia Rodrigo, Feid
Sunday, June 8: Hozier, Glass Animals

Additional performers include Clairo, T-Pain, Tyla, Conan Gray, Mt. Joy, JPEGMAFIA, Mannequin Pussy, The Backseat Lovers, Car Seat Headrest, Royel Otis, and Amaarae, among others.
Ticket Information
As of May 22, 2025, 3-Day and Saturday tickets are sold out. Limited Friday and Sunday tickets remain available. Ticket tiers include:

General Admission (GA): Starting at $359 for 3-day passes (sold out)
GA+: Starting at $575 for 3-day passes (sold out)
VIP: Starting at $899 for 3-day passes (sold out)
Pit Viewing: Starting at $1,499 for 3-day passes (sold out)

Tickets are mobile entry only and can be accessed via the Ticketmaster app or added to your mobile wallet.
Venue & Amenities
The festival will be held at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, offering:

Multiple stages with diverse performances
A variety of food options, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices
Official merchandise and brand experiences
Bars, concessions, and specialty cocktail lounges
Free water refill stations
Secure lockers with charging capabilities (available for rent)

Children 8 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit the official Governors Ball website.

Krakow Film Festival
2025-05-25 08:00 - 2025-06-01 17:00 (America/New_York) | KRAKOW FILM FESTIVAL, ul. Basztowa 15/8a, 31-143 Kraków, Poland
About Krakow Film Festival
The Krakow Film Festival is one of Europe’s longest-running events dedicated to documentary, animated, and short fiction films. Held over seven exciting days, the festival screens around 250 films from Poland and around the world. These films are showcased across competitive sections and curated programs such as retrospectives, thematic series, and archival screenings.
Beyond film, the festival offers a vibrant cultural experience with exhibitions, concerts, open-air screenings, and filmmaker Q&As. Each year, Krakow welcomes over 500 industry guests—including directors, producers, and festival programmers—as well as a large and enthusiastic local audience.
Awards
International Documentary Competition

Golden Horn – Best film director
Silver Horn – Best medium-length documentary director
Silver Horn – Best feature-length documentary director

International Short Film Competition

Golden Dragon – Best film director
Silver Dragon – Best documentary director
Silver Dragon – Best animated film director
Silver Dragon – Best fiction film director

International DocFilmMusic Competition

Golden Heynal – Best music documentary director

National Competition

Golden Hobby Horse – Best film director
Silver Hobby Horse – Best documentary director
Silver Hobby Horse – Best animated film director
Silver Hobby Horse – Best fiction film director

Additional Honors

Audience Award – Voted best competition film by festivalgoers
Dragon of Dragons Special Award – Lifetime achievement in documentary or animation, awarded by the Krakow Film Foundation
Other special awards presented by partner institutions, associations, or sponsors

Submission Rules

Eligible films must be international productions made in 2023 or 2024, and not publicly screened before June 1, 2023.
To qualify for international competitions, a film must be a Polish premiere; world premieres are preferred.

Accepted Screener Formats

Public or private streaming links (e.g., Vimeo, YouTube) with no expiration
Direct file upload via the official website (formats: MP4, MOV)

Toronto Short Film Festival
2025-03-13 - 2025-03-18 | Paradise Theatre, 1006c Bloor St W, Toronto
Toronto Short Film Festival
The Toronto Short Film Festival is a premier event celebrating short-form cinema, held annually in Toronto, Ontario. Showcasing over 100 short films each year, it stands as the city’s largest short film festival, providing a platform for both local and international filmmakers to present their work to enthusiastic audiences.
Festival Highlights

Diverse Programming: The festival features a wide range of genres, including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, horror, sci-fi, experimental, and music videos.
Venue: Screenings are held at the Paradise Cinema, offering an intimate setting for film enthusiasts to engage with the showcased works.
Community Engagement: The festival serves as a hub for filmmakers to celebrate premieres, connect with audiences, and network with peers, fostering a vibrant film community.

Awards
The Toronto Short Film Festival recognizes excellence in short filmmaking with awards in various categories:

Best Short Film
Best Short Documentary
Best LGBT Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Horror Short
Best Sci-Fi Short
Best Animated Short
Best Short Feature
Best Short Short
Best Music Video

These awards highlight outstanding achievements and contribute to the recognition of emerging talents in the film industry.
Submission Guidelines

Eligibility: Open to short films from any country, with a runtime under 50 minutes.
Submission Platforms: Entries are accepted exclusively through digital submissions via FilmFreeway.
Language: Films not in English must include English subtitles.
Premiere Status: There are no premiere requirements; films that have been previously screened or are available online are still eligible.

Contact and More Information
For detailed submission guidelines, deadlines, and updates, please visit the official Toronto Short Film Festival website.
Note: The information provided is based on available sources as of the latest festival edition. For the most current details, please refer to the festival’s official communications.
