OPPORTUNITIES
& OPEN CALLS
for moving image artists and filmmakers worldwide
FESTIVAL OPEN CALLS
Warsaw International Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Regular Deadline 15 July 2022 / Late Deadline 31 July 2022
Established in 1985, the Warsaw Film Festival joined in 2009 the elite group of events recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (www.fiapf.org) as international film festivals - next to Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Locarno, San Sebastian, Karlovy Vary, Tokyo, Moscow, Mar del Plata, Montreal, Shanghai, Cairo, Goa, and Tallinn. The WFF differs from other festivals in its programme, just as Warsaw differs from other cities. Selecting the films, we always remember about our audience - native Varsovians, those working or studying in Warsaw, and those in town for a short while, for instance only for the Festival. We do our best to make sure that our audiences get to know the latest and most interesting trends in world cinema as soon as possible. In this way, WFF audiences - usually as the first people in Poland - could discover American independent cinema as well as Asian, Latin American, Iranian, Russian and Romanian cinema. Some of the most amazing directors, like Michael Haneke, Cristian Mungiu, Paweł Pawlikowski, Ari Folman, Ashgar Farhadi, Lenny Abrahamson and hundreds of others, had usually been guests of the WFF before they reached the top.
Beirut Shorts International Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Regular Deadline 15 July 2022 / Late Deadline 5 August 2022 / Extended Deadline 2 September 2022
BEIRUT SHORTS was born from the womb of NDU International Film Festival (NDUIFF), which is a short film festival founded in 2007 at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU), Lebanon. Beirut Shorts is celebrated annually under its constant theme, “The Power of Youth.” As the theme reflects, the Mission of Beirut Shorts is to (a) promote young filmmakers by screening their films in front of a large audience base, and (b) promote their talents and artistic excellence. BSIFF accepts both Lebanese and international short films in all mentioned categories: Fiction, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, Web & New Media; applicants may be graduating students or independent filmmakers. Beirut Shorts mission takes inspiration from the NDU Mission Statement, which believes in providing equal opportunities for Lebanese and foreign participants “in a spirit of openness that embraces all cultures, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, or sect;” BSIFF “promotes diversity, respect for human dignity and rights, and concern for the common good.”
Beirut International Women Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Midway to the Festival 18 July 2022 / Summer Submissions 15 August 2022 / Regular Deadline 12 September 2022 / Late Deadline 10 October 2022 / Extended Submissions 11 November 2022 / Exceptional Submissions 12 December 2022
Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF) is an annual event organized in Beirut by Beirut Film Society, under the theme “Women for Leadership” highlighting the role of women as leaders in their societies; and gathering filmmakers and cinema lovers from all over the world. BWFF tackles issues such gender equality, sexual identity, domestic violence among others through the power of the lens and cinema which is the window to society and particularly women in this case. BWFF, which comprises films about women and/or executed by women, aims to highlight the power of women in different life situations, the festival organizers believe in promoting a positive image of women struggling with dignity to make a change in their environment.
Dobra – International Experimental Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: 20 July 2022
With great joy we are back for new inventions and cinematographic reflections, opening the call for submissions for the 8th edition of DOBRA – International Experimental Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We know that experimental cinema, while a power of creativity and synthesis, brings important answers to the questions that affect us. In order to be in contact with creative artists from all over the world, we launch a new call for films and audiovisual works, redoubling the contemporary web that unites us through the multiple creations and poetics of experimental cinema. Call will be open for the 2022 edition until July 20th. Submission is free and we will accept experimental films made in all formats and gauges, of any length, finalized from January 2021 on. The 8th edition of DOBRA will be co-produced by Cinemateca do MAM-Rio, renewing the partnership established in recent years. With great enthusiasm, the activities in face-to-face format will be back: the Festival will occupy the space of the Cinemateca from September 22nd to 24th. There will also be an online program, aimed at the public outside of Rio. The works selected in the Open Call will be shown on cinema and online.
Berlin Revolution Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: 20 July 2022 / 20 August 2022 / 20 September 2022 / 20 October 2022 / 20 November 2022 / 20 December 2022 / 20 January 2022 / Final Deadline 20 February 2022
Berlin Revolution Film Festival is an annual event where we promote and celebrate films not tied to big production companies, institutions or TV stations. We look for unconventional auteur-driven films made with a personal voice and style. Simply put – we're looking for the next generation Art House! We first and foremost seek bravery, a lust to experiment and express using the medium film, regardless if the film maker is an amateur starting out or an established professional. Experimental, Fiction, Documentary, Animation and all sorts of genres – anything goes as long as the banner of Independence is held high. Attention in the selection process will be given to artistic originality and creativity. Participating at the festival should be a valuable experience, and something film makers look forward to return to. To encourage and support this we provide accommodation to all selected film makers in Berlin for the Festival.
Madrid International Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Regular Deadline 22 July 2022 / Continued Deadline 31 August 2022 / Custom Deadline 30 September 2022 / Deadline 31 October 2022 / Late Deadline 30 November 2022 / Extended Deadline 31 January 2023 / Deadline 28 February 2023 / Final Deadline 7 April 2023
Madrid International Film Festival held in the City of Madrid, is an IMDB Qualifying Festival. We offer filmmakers that attend the festival great networking opportunities, we have for many year had the support from industry professionals, they are on hand to talk with you about all aspects of the business of film, because we are a small festival you will have access to these people all free of any charge, we screen all in one location all the panels the networking any meetings all is in one location, we have in past years had different locations but found it better to keep everything together, all the festival is free, the screenings, the networking, the meetings the panels all is free to all filmmaker and there guests many filmmakers promote there movie before they arrive, we make one charge that is the awards night, this is a 6 to 7 hour awards night that includes dinner and is a celebration of film, however we do not insist you join us at the awards night all other parts of the festival remain free, we feel the Madrid International Film Festival is one of the greatest and most popular festivals in Europe. This naturally fills our festival with a wealth of talent from around the world.
London Super Shorts Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Very Late Deadline 24 July 2022 / Extended Deadline 24 August 2022 / FilmFreeway Extended Deadline 24 September 2022
The Super Shorts Film Festival London is an annual event that highlights independent short film talent. Talent Circle in London founded the Super Shorts London Film Festival in 2003, to focus explicitly on short films in all its forms and shapes. During its original eleven year run, the festival shown over 2,000 incredible short films, from slick 35mm shorts to weird and wonderful experimental films. Super Shorts held over 120 events, including seminars, panel discussions and workshops. This resulted in rave reviews. Unfortunately, in its original incarnation, the festival came to an end in 2014. Inspired by that original movement, the Super Shorts Film Festival London was revived in 2018, and continued to emphasize lesser known, vanguard cinematic works and further its tradition of galvanizing budding talent. The 2018 edition proved that the Super Shorts Film Festival London was still very much relevant, and had the potential to grow. In 2019, the festival moved to the Stephen Street location of the BFI (British Film Institute). The 2022 festival will once again create an intimate atmosphere and space for unique visionaries and voices.
Budapest Independent Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: 25 July 2022 / 25 August 2022 / Extended Deadline 24 October 2022 / Final Deadline 22 November 2022
The Budapest Independent Film Festival is a 2-day annual event dedicated to independent filmmakers from all over the world. Every year, we celebrate independent cinema in the heart of lively Budapest. Our event is created for the culture-loving, cinephile, international crowd. The festival’s aim is to provide a platform for filmmakers who don’t necessarily have a large budget, but a vision and an important story to tell. Through our careful selection process, our goal is to showcase a wide variety of genres and styles to cinema fans and fellow international filmmakers. We will be handing out a number of awards at the event in a number of categories, selected and evaluated by our Jury. We look forward to putting on a spectacular event in the beautiful city of Budapest and showcasing your film.
Prague International Indie Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Final Deadline 31 July 2022
Welcome to the 21/22 edition of The Prague International Indie Film Festival, aka PIIF. The perfect festival for your networking and finding partners for your next audiovisual production in the most charming city in central Europe. Have your project valued alongside big names who have already participated in renowned international film festivals! So you have a movie. Or even more than one. It's a short or music video, of up to 40 minutes. Probably it's not and won't be your only one. Sure you don't want it to be your last work. But it's a film that you wish will impact those who watch it. You believe that it deserves to be seen and shown to the world. You'll be part of the cinema industry, presenting your art and your way of making a film. The city of Prague and most specifically the Prague International Indie Film Festival is a great place to step into the world of cinema. Prague has a generous atmosphere for filmmaking. It may be here that your work gains deserved visibility. And it will also be here that you may meet the partners for your next production. Many will also know you and interesting possibilities will appear. This is how it has been happening at PIIF. You already know that a successful filmmaker career takes place when your network is in constant growth. PIIF is this environment: real and virtual, where we get to know you and you get known in the film industry.
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Final Deadline 31 July 2022
DOC NYC, New York's documentary festival, is an annual event based in Manhattan at the IFC Center, SVA Theatre, and Cinépolis Chelsea. Voted by MovieMaker magazine as one of the "top five coolest documentary film festivals in the world," the nine-day event showcases new achievements in documentary film along with panels and conversations with acclaimed filmmakers and industry professionals. DOC NYC seeks to make connections that happen “only in New York.” Filmmakers whose projects are selected to screen at DOC NYC will receive festival badges providing rush access to all regular films as well as to DOC NYC PRO panel programming. "This cinematic bonanza covers everything new and noteworthy in the world of documentary filmmaking.” - The Huffington Post; “DOC NYC has cemented itself as one of our favorite festivals of the cultural calendar." – Flavorpill; “DOC NYC has become an essential summit for all kinds of documentary filmmaking.” – Wall Street Journal. Launched in 2010, DOC NYC quickly became America's largest documentary film festival. During the pandemic, when many festivals canceled or reduced their line-ups, DOC NYC committed to maintaining its usual size. The 2020 edition moved online, then the 2021 edition welcomed filmmakers and audiences back into theaters, taking place both in person and online.
Open Call for Entries
Early Deadline: Shorts 1 August 2022 / New Frontier 5 August 2022 / Episodic 8 August 2022 / Features 12 August 2022
Official Deadline: Shorts 19 August 2022 / New Frontier 22 August 2022 / Episodic 26 August 2022 / Features 2 September 2022
Late Deadline: Shorts 5 September 2022 / New Frontier 9 September 2022 / Episodic 12 September 2022 / Features 26 September 2022
The Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, brings together the most original storytellers and the most adventurous audiences for its annual program of dramatic, documentary, and short films; New Frontier films, performances, exhibitions, and virtual reality experiences; episodic storytelling; lively filmmaker conversations and panel discussions; and dynamic music events. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the Festival have gained critical recognition and reached worldwide audiences eager for fresh perspectives and new voices.
Scottish International Short Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Earlybird 1 August 2022 / Regular 3 October 2022 / Late 5 December 2022 / Extended 13 February 2023
SIFF is a new international short film festival based in Scotland that will screen outstanding short film, animation, docs, experimental and video art. An international jury will select the 7 winning categories including SIFF Best International Short Film or Video 2023, which will receive £500. SIFF was created to showcase exceptional international short film whilst also addressing the imbalance of under-represented groups of makers and stories within film festivals. SIFF understands that some short film and video blur the lines of typical film festival categories, so the festival enthusiastically encourages non-traditional and experimental formats as well.
Leeds International Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Late Deadline 3 August 2022
The world's first moving images were filmed in Leeds in 1888 by Louis le Prince. Today Leeds is a major European centre for film production and exhibition, the home of Screen Yorkshire, and the new home for the UK's leading independent TV company Channel 4. In 2023, Leeds will celebrate the city's culture in a major year-long festival. Founded in 1987 and now one of the UK's leading film events, the Academy Award and BAFTA-qualifying Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) primarily supports the work of new filmmakers from the UK and around the world. LIFF presents seven national and international competitions for short films with total cash prizes of £6000.
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: 9 August 2022
For its 9th edition, the Torino Underground Cinefest (TUC) will last for nine days, to offer more time for insights with the authors. The IX TUC will be held in a very important location for the Turin “Cinema” universe, which is located in the heart of the city, at the marvelous Cinema Ambrosio. Cash prizes are awarded for the best feature film, best short film and best documentary. Also, special awards will be assigned to: best director, best actor, best actress, best cinematographer, best editor and best sound designer. It there will be an audience award and mentions assigned by our media partners.
Fisura International Festival of Experimental Film and Video
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: 10 August 2022
Fisura, International Festival of Experimental Film and Video, Mexico, third edition opens its call for entries for short films, films and audiovisual works of experimental character made by filmmakers, artists or general public (national and foreign). Participation categories are: Found Footage; Video Art; Video Essay; Hybrids; Documentary (Experimental); Animation (Experimental); Fiction (Experimental); Super 8, Home movies, Glitch, Remix, reappropriation and performance. Our goal as a festival is to achieve that experimental cinema has a greater boom in the social fabric and that it can also contribute generously to the Mexican audiovisual culture, opening a creative and innovative horizon to think about cinema from a different place. Currently Fisura has been considered one of the best independent festivals in Mexico and Latin America for its meticulous curatorial work as well as for its quality programming. In 2021 Fisura was included by emeritus professor and experimental film pioneer, Gwendolyn Audrey Foster in her Top 15 best experimental film festivals in the world (Magazine - Sense of Cinema). In 2022 Fisura exhibited its curatorial program entitled: Alterations in La Paz, Bolivia, as it was selected among several programs around the world.
Video Art and Experimental Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Standard Deadline 11 August 2022 / Late Deadline 1 September 2022 / Extended Late Deadline 25 September 2022
Running for its 12th year, the Video Art & Experimental Film Festival (VAEFF) showcases to New York City audiences some of the most innovative, provocative, and exciting works of film and video from around the world. The festival embraces a boundary-pushing spectrum of work that includes animation, music video, fashion film, documentary, visual narrative, and more. Past selected artists have included prominent video directors such as David LaChapelle, Marie Schuller, and Kalup Linzy, and the panel discussions have attracted prestigious artists and scholars including Alanna Heiss (founder of MoMA PS1), David Ross (former director of the Whitney and SFMOMA), Jason Sondhi (co-founder of Short of the Week and former lead curator of Vimeo Staff Picks), and Ziggy Levin (executive producer for Art + Commerce and faculty member at SVA). Panel discussion moderators have included curator and critic Lyle Rexer, and best selling author Mark Alpert.
Izmir International Short Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Late Deadlines 14 August 2022
Izmir International Short Film Festival has been holding its place as being one of the greatest events in the field of movie in Turkey and it will meet its audience for the 23rd time this year. The festival is the first film festival that gave awards to the international short films. It began to show its films in 2000 and since then it has been one of the most esteemed festivals between film lovers.
Jaipur International Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Early Bird Deadline 15 August 2022 / Regular Deadline 15 September 2022 / Late Deadline 15 October 2022 / Extended Deadline 15 November 2022 / Final Deadline 10 December 2022
JIFF is the World's Biggest Competitive Film Festival (in fiction films). The Jaipur International Film Festival, the world's fastest growing film festival, is held every year in January in Jaipur, India. Launched in January 2009, Jaipur International Film Festival -JIFF became expanding establishing name in organizing world film festival every year in Rajasthan. The purpose of this film festival is to promote new movie makers, exchange of knowledge, information, ideas & culture between India & other nations in context of their social and cultural ethos. JIFF also promotes friendship and co-operation among people of the world through the medium of films & documentaries.
Cairo International Film Festival – Short Film Competition
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Regular Deadline 15 August 2022
Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) is an annual international film festival organized by the Ministry of Culture in Egypt. It is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) and is committed to comply with all its conditions and regulations.
Hong Kong Arthouse Film Festival
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: 19 August 2022 / 19 September 2022 / 19 October 2022 / 19 November 2022 / Regular Deadline 19 December 2022 / Late Deadline 19 January 2023 / Very Late Deadline 19 February 2023 / Extended Deadline 19 March 2023 / Extended Deadline FilmFreeway 9 April 2023
“When it comes to rich artistic experiences, Hong Kong does, in fact, have some hidden treasures. [...] The Hong Kong Arthouse Film Festival is kind of like Sundance or Cannes Film Festival, but scaled down to what is still a relatively underground event.” Thanks to #legend (hashtaglegend.com) for the exposure and the kind words. We're blushing! At its heart, art is about celebrating the unique voice and message that we each possess. Sometimes loud, often quiet, occasionally bold and brash, and perhaps even shy, that singular voice should speak to others and by doing so, help them to better see themselves. This vision of film as a medium that inspires and challenges - and supporting the filmmakers who create these works - is the mission of the Hong Kong Arthouse Film Festival. Founded in 2015 as a film festival designed to support filmmakers regardless of their budgets, this underground festival celebrates the best of contemporary independent filmmaking. Its works bridge a wide variety of genres - short films, drama, experimental, comedy, horror, slow cinema, scifi, fantasy, animation, documentary, and more.
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Regular Submissions 12 September 2022 / Late Submissions Shorts and Web Series 31 October 2022 / Late Submissions Features 14 November 2022
Did you know each year a transformation happens in Los Angeles, CA? People from around the globe gather to attend the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the United States. From 100 million dollar blockbuster premieres to newly emerging Hollywood talent, The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) showcases a broad array of Black creative works from the world over, highlighting those that reinforce positive images and help to destroy negative stereotypes. Nowhere else can audiences find this unique opportunity to come together through film and art to explore new worlds, meet new people and acquire new information and ideas. PAFF is designated as an official qualifying film festival for narrative live action and animated short films for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Venerated by tens of thousands every year, PAFF screens more than 200 new films in state of the art digital projection to the delight of an audience of sophisticated movie lovers. PAFF’s audience loves PAFF and PAFF loves them. Each year PAFF becomes a pilgrimage for attendees who hail from all over the United States and the World! Known for its industry panels, special events and great parties, we invite filmmakers to take this one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect to their core audience and experience the special magic of PAFF.
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Last Deadline 26 September 2022 / Final Deadline 1 November 2022
São Paulo Film Festival (SPFF) is an independent film festival that takes place in the most frenetic and populous city in Brazil. SPFF seeks to support and inspire independent short film from all over the world, by a genuine expression that can stimulate new thoughts to the art of cinema. The Festival SPFF is an organization dedicated to the discovery and development of new artists, with visions beyond the border of the imagination that can thrill audiences from all countries. Different from most festivals. We watch all the films. Our jury is composed mostly by filmmakers. Shorts, Animations and Documentaries. Any genre.
Open Call for Entries
Deadlines: Deadline 1 October 2022
SENSEI, much like its city of origin Tokyo, is vibrant, unique and abundantly fun! SENSEI Tokyo FilmFest's passion is not to only recognise independent film directors and content creators for their high calibre work that they produced without any help or support, but to create a festival experience that makes them feel like the superheroes that they are! SENSEI's ordeal is to empower independent filmmakers in forward-thinking ways, a lot of the film festival's proceeds are reinvested into the festival platform to engine an impressive opportunity for exposure with a big audience, not to mention press coverage and articles to advance many filmmakers and content creators' agendas. To have your name and work featured across the most prestigious press outlets is a big battle won for an independent filmmaker or content creator. If you have competent original content in your hands, you're hungry for success and also would like to experience a fun film festival that you'll never forget, and will want to return to, SENSEI is your best destination.
Diversity in Cannes Short Film and Webseries Showcase
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Early Bird Deadline 31 October 2022 / Regular Deadline 31 December 2022 / Late Deadline 1 February 2023 / Extended Deadline 1 March 2023 / Final Deadline 1 April 2023
Created to encourage content creators from unique backgrounds to share their stories during the Cannes Film Festival, the independent Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Web Series Showcase will promote the work of diverse (thought, race, gender, age, religion, physical ability and sexual orientation) filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film. The top 10 to 18 films & web series from ALL eligible entries, as determined by Diversity in Cannes and its partners, will be ANNOUNCED LIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA during the official selection press conference the week of April 10, 2023. These films will be considered in competition (official selections) and screened during the Diversity in Cannes Short Film & Webseries Showcase in May 2023 at an independent event during the Cannes Film Festival, COVID permitting!
Open Call for Entries
Deadline: Earlybird Deadline 10 April 2023 / Regular Deadline 8 May 2023 / Late Deadline 12 June 2023
Raindance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the UK, currently rated top 10 international film festival for filmmakers to consider, according to studiobinder. It is based in the heart of London’s buzzing West End film district. Raindance Film Festival is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the British Independent Film Awards. Winners of Best Animation Short/Best Documentary Short/Short of the Festival) categories will qualify for Oscar®, and selected shorts also for BAFTA considerations. Each year, Raindance attracts dozens of thousands of visitors including hundreds of industry professionals into London. The 31st Raindance will take place in the Autumn 2023.
RESOURCES
The Doc Society – Online Documentary Resources
Links and documents designed to connect you to the organisations you need to know to get your doc funded and make it all happen.
Into Film – Online Moving Image Resources for Teachers of Film and Media Studies
While designed specifically for the UK’s Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)'s Moving Image Arts qualifications, this is also a valuable resource for all teachers of media and film studies.
OPPORTUNITIES
Coming soon.
* All of the information on this page comes directly from the websites of each listed organization.