LIFF 2019 Submission Guidelines

(for screenplay submission information, see here)

The London Independent Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing new emerging film talent.

NOTE: all film submissions are preferred via Withoutabox or Film Freeway

OR

The alternative is to pay via PayPal and complete the submission form.

Submission info:

• Preview format must be digital online screener.  Submit either through a festival submission platform’s internal screener (like Withoutabox) or via a hosting site like Vimeo.  If you are unable/unwilling to use digital submission, please contact us and we’ll work something out.
• If you are submitting more than one entry, a separate submission is required for each film, although they may be mailed together.

Entry Fees:

• Deadlines: Early (ending Nov 2, 2018), Regular (ending Feb 1 2019), Late (ending Feb 22, 2019)
• Fees for feature films are £65 early, £70 regular, £75 late.
• Fees for short films are £40 early, £45 regular, £50 late.
• Music videos and short shorts: £25 early, £30 regular, £35 late.
• Fees for feature scripts are £40 early, £45 regular, £50 late.
• Fees for short scripts are £25 early, £30 regular, £35 late.

Please send any related press materials, including electronic press kit, and photos to info@liff.org

All film submissions should be made digitally, not via DVD’s in the post.  If you are unable/unwilling to use digital submission, please contact us and we’ll work something out.

Entry Rules:

1. 1. The London Independent Film Festival is open to UK as well as international films in one of the following categories:
      • Best Low-budget Feature (over £100k)
      • Best Micro-budget Feature (under £100k)
      • Best No-Budget Feature (under £10k)
      • Best UK Feature
      • Best Documentary
      • Best Sci-Fi / Horror Feature
      • Best Female Director Feature
      • Best LGBT film
      • Best Short Film
      • Best UK Short
      • Best Short Documentary
      • Best Animated Short
      • Best Experimental Short
      • Best Short Short
      • Best Horror / Sci-Fi Short
      • Best Music Video

• Screenplay Award categories:

1. • Best Feature Screenplay
   • Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay
   • Best UK Screenplay
   • Best Short Screenplay
   • Best Screenplay Pitch
   •  
2. All film entries submitted on digitally, and received by the final receipt deadline of Feb 22nd, 2019.
3. If selected to be showcased during the event, all screening copies must be received by March 26th, 2018
4. All photos provided must be clearly identified on the back. Photos will not be returned & may be used for any festival promotions.
5. Films which have been broadcast on Television, Cable or have had an international theatrical release prior to LIFF are NOT eligible for any competition but may be screened, out of competition.
6. Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
7. All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.
8. Film Producers are responsible for insurance and shipment costs of films to LIFF.
9. The title of the work and name of entrant must be on all mailing containers, labels, can reels and film leaders.
10. If you choose not to submit via Withoutabox or Film Freeway, you can also submit via postal mail, and pay the submission fee via PayPal and send us an signed entry form.
11. Award Categories
12. All film entries will be considered for the Jury and Audience Award competition. Jury Award winners will be selected by a panel of active film industry professionals. All films go through a screening process and are reviewed by at least two film industry professionals.
13. Winners agree to participate in the publicity for the Festival as well as other promotional events, including the website. The determination of the winners is final.
14. Jury Film Award categories:
    • Best Low-budget Feature (over £100k)
    • Best Micro-budget Feature (under £100k)
    • Best No-Budget Feature (under £10k)
    • Best UK Feature
    • Best Documentary
    • Best Sci-Fi / Horror Feature
    • Best Female Director Feature
    • Best LGBT film
    • Best Short Film
    • Best UK Short
    • Best Short Documentary
    • Best Animated Short
    • Best Experimental Short
    • Best Short Short
    • Best Horror / Sci-Fi Short
    • Best Music Video
15. Screenplay Award categories:
    • Best Feature Screenplay
    • Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay
    • Best UK Screenplay
    • Best Short Screenplay
16. Audience Award categories:
    • Best Feature
    • Best Short
17. Selected film entries will be notified by March 13, 2019. Jury Award and audience award winners will be announced at the Closing Night “It’s A Wrap” Party. An Awards Certificate will be awarded to the winners. Some Award categories may have co-sponsors providing prizes. One award or prize will be given to the individual designated on the official entry form.
18. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted and are attending the festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.
19. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted into LIFF  will receive the following:
    • Two(2) festival passes per submitted film to see all the festival films FREE
    • Admittance for filmmakers to the “Opening Night Event” or the “It’s A Wrap Party”
20. Film prints and other film material will be handled with utmost care. However, neither the LIFF staff nor supporting theatre organizations staff can assume responsibility for damage or loss of the print and other film materials, en route or otherwise, during the course of the festival’s possession of the print.

All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by the London Independent Film Festival, without notice.

SUBMIT YOUR SCREENPLAY

Screenplay Contest for LIFF 2019

Submissions are now open for the 2019 LIFF Screenplay competition.

The London Independent Film Festival is proud to host one of the UK’s top screenplay competitions. Every April we recognize the best new screenwriters from the UK and around the world. With multiple prizes and screenwriter events at the festival, LIFF is your best chance to get your writing discovered.

NOTE: all film submissions are preferred via Withoutabox or Film Freeway

OR

The alternative is to submit via email and pay via PayPal.

Our objective at LIFF is to recognize and support new and unrepresented screenwriters.

Submissions are scored on character development, story, dialogue, structure and originality.

Each year production companies, studios, agencies and managers request to read our top winning scripts.

SCREENPLAY CONTEST RULES

1. The London Independent Film Festival is open to screenplays in one of the following categories:
   • Best International Screenplay
   • Best UK Screenplay
   • Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay
   • Best Short Screenplay

ENTRY PROCEDURE

Submit via Withoutabox

OR

1. Email a completed entry form with your screenplay (in .doc, .pdf. mms or fdr) to info@liff.org
2. Screenplay cover should include title only.
3. If entered by mail, each screenplay should be bound with fasteners.
4. Each entry should include a one sheet with a 1 – 3 sentence synopsis of the screenplay, contact name, address and phone.
5. For entry confirmation, please include a stamped self-addressed post card. Please note, screenplays will not be returned.
6. Each screenplay must be submitted with a separate entry fee and form.
7. ENTRY:
   • • Deadlines: Early (ending Nov 2, 2018), Regular (ending Feb 01, 2019), Late (ending Feb 22, 2019)
   • • Fees for feature scripts are £40 early, £45 regular, £55 late.
   • • Fees for short scripts are £25 early, £30 regular, £35 late.
8. Payment must be made via Withoutabox, FilmFreeway or PayPal

RULES

• Screenplays must not have been previously produced.
• If a winning screenplay has been written by two or more writers, one author should be the designated prime contact. Awards will be divided equally among the writers.
• Screenplays must be in English.
• Screenplays that have received awards from other competitions over $5000 will not be eligible.
• Judges decisions are final.