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.

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.

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.

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.

Cambridge Film Festival
2025-10-23 - 2025-10-30 | Cambridge Film Trust, 38-39 St. Andrew's Street, Cambridge, CB2 3AR
About the Cambridge Film Festival
Launched in 1977, the Cambridge Film Festival (CFF) is one of the UK’s longest-running and most respected celebrations of independent cinema. The festival presents a mix of local and international stories, spotlighting both rising voices and established filmmakers from around the world.
CFF also embraces the future of storytelling—welcoming innovative formats and supporting global creators through an open submission process. The festival continues to champion filmmakers during a time of change in the industry, providing space for their work to connect with audiences and gain recognition.
Awards
The festival’s unique connection to the city is reflected in its signature “Punt” awards—named after Cambridge’s iconic flat-bottomed boats. Films that premiere in the UK at the festival are eligible for the following audience and jury prizes:

Golden Punt – Audience Award for Best Feature Film
Silver Punt – Audience Award for Best Documentary
Crystal Punt – Audience Award for Best Short Film
Youth Lab Jury Award – Selected by young cinema lovers
Family Film Festival Audience Award

All eligible entries are automatically considered for the relevant awards.
CFF is a BAFTA-qualifying festival.
Submission Guidelines

Eligibility

Feature-length fiction and documentaries must not have been released in the UK, either theatrically, online, or on TV.
Shorts should ideally be UK premieres, but this is not strictly required. They must not be publicly available online in the UK before their CFF screening.
Only films completed within the past 18 months are eligible.
English subtitles are mandatory for all non-English language films. Subtitling costs are the responsibility of the filmmaker.

Fees & Waivers
Submission fees help cover administrative costs and are non-refundable.
Waivers and discounts are available for:

Filmmakers based in Cambridgeshire (proof of address required)
Returning directors or producers who have screened at CFF
Black and ethnic minority directors, who may request a 25% fee reduction
Email subject line should include your film title and the appropriate waiver/discount tag (e.g., “FILM TITLE – WAIVER”)

How to Submit

Films must be submitted via a secure online screener
Filmmakers are encouraged to include pronouns in bios (e.g., “Jane Doe, She/Her”)
Please do not send press materials until requested after official selection
Deadlines and submission windows may close earlier than published

Selection Process

Final selections are made by the CFF programming team
The festival does not provide feedback or enter into discussions about selection decisions
All selected films will be announced on the festival’s website

Screenings & Format Requirements

The festival will operate in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online screenings
All selected films may be shown in cinemas, online, or both
In-person screenings require DCP format
A 1920x1080p digital file with closed captions (.SRT or .VTT) is required for online presentation
Films must remain in the festival once confirmed and should not be withdrawn or screened elsewhere in the UK prior to CFF without approval

Premiere Policy
While premieres are not mandatory, preference is given to UK premieres.
Organized by:
Cambridge Film Trust (Registered Charity No. 1120059)

Cambridge Short Film Festival
2026-07-11 | Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way England, CB1 7GX, United Kingdom
The Cambridge Short Film Festival is an international event dedicated to celebrating short-form cinema from around the world. It provides a welcoming and inclusive platform for both emerging and experienced filmmakers to present bold, original short films to audiences, peers, and industry professionals. The festival takes place in Cambridge, UK, with screenings hosted at the Cambridge Junction, a vibrant arts venue known for its creative and community-focused programming.
About the Festival
The festival’s mission is to discover and promote exceptional short films while supporting filmmakers at all stages of their careers. It highlights imaginative storytelling and diverse voices, fostering connections between creators and audiences. Filmmakers from all backgrounds and levels of experience are invited to submit their work.
The next edition of the festival is scheduled for July 11, 2026, continuing its tradition of showcasing ambitious and innovative short films in the historic and culturally rich city of Cambridge.
Award Categories
The Cambridge Short Film Festival honors outstanding short films across a variety of categories, which may include:

Best Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary Short
Best Indie Short (low budget)
Best Animation
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Best Romance
Best LGBTQ Film
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Action
Best Sci‑Fi
Best Fantasy
Best Experimental
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Music Video

These awards recognize creative excellence and help raise the profile of filmmakers in the industry.
Submission Rules

Films that are not in English must include English subtitles.
There are no fee waivers; all submission fees are non‑refundable.
Multiple entries from the same filmmaker are accepted, but each entry requires a separate submission and fee.
Submitted films must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe on any third‑party rights.
The festival may retain copies of submitted films for its own library and promotional use, including broadcast or online exhibition.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates, venues, awards, and categories without prior notice.

How to Submit
Filmmakers can submit their work through the festival’s online submission platform on FilmFreeway. Check the official festival page for the most up‑to‑date deadlines and entry details.
For more information, visit the official Cambridge Short Film Festival website or its FilmFreeway profile.
