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Gateshead International Film Festival

Tyne and Wear, or mockumentaries. UK Short Films SHORT FILMS 31'< EARLY 10€ 9.2€ 01 DEC 26 STANDARD 17€ 15.64€ 01 FEB 27 LATE 29€ 26.68

Festival overview

About Gateshead International Film Festival

Physical film festival in Tyne and Wear, or mockumentaries. UK Short Films SHORT FILMS 31'< EARLY 10€ 9.2€ 01 DEC 26 STANDARD 17€ 15.64€ 01 FEB 27 LATE 29€ 26.68 with submission categories including International Short Films and UK Short Films.

The Gateshead International Film Festival (GIFF) is a three-day annual event celebrating distinctive, challenging cinema from around the world, with a particular focus on underrepresented voices, international co-productions, and filmmakers working outside the dominant commercial centres. Our mission is to bring new audiences to the North East of England, support local and regional talent, and create a genuine cultural bridge between the North East of England and the wider world of international cinema.

We aim to forge a film festival that will ultimately launch the careers of writers and filmmakers. The official symbol of our festival is the wild goat, inspired by the town's original name.

The goat symbolises pioneerism, curiosity and exploration. They also represent independence, perseverance, determination and inspire us to pursue our goals even in the face of obstacles.

Schedule

Important Dates

Call for Entries Opens
Jul 29, 2026
Final Submission Deadline
Apr 14, 2027
Notification Date
May 1, 2027
Festival Starts
Jul 16, 2027
Festival Ends
Jul 18, 2027
Eligibility

Rules & Eligibility

General Rules+

  1. GENERAL RULES Official Selections: a) Best UK Feature Film: Feature Films produced or shot in the UK, including co-productions where a majority of British participation. b) Best UK Short Film: Short Films up to 30minutes long, shot or produced in the UK, including co-productions where a majority of British Participation. c) Best International Feature Film: Feature Films from anywhere in the world, except the UK. d) Best International Short Film: Short Films up to 30minutes long from anywhere in the world, except the UK. e) Best North East Film: Feature or short film produced or shot in the North East of England, including co-productions of majority North East participation.

  2. The organisers may select a film for a different section from the one it was submitted to, cancel sections or create others not listed here, for programming purposes if required.

  3. All films must have been completed AFTER July 2024.

  4. We do accept rough cuts and work in progress submissions.

  5. II.

  6. SUBMISSIONS: We accept Films and Documentaries of all genres and from all over the world.

  7. We do not discriminate based on gender, nationality or ethnicity.

  8. We also encourage the submission of regional and minority languag

Current Categories, Deadlines & Fees

Category

International Short Films

Short films from any country in the world, under 30 minutes. Fiction of any genre, documentaries, or mockumentaries.

Current FeeEUR 10.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 31 minutes
Category

UK Short Films

Short films produced in the UK or with a majority cast and crew from the UK. No longer than 30 minutes. Fiction of any genre, documentaries or mockumentaries.

Current FeeEUR 10.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 31 minutes
Category

After Dark Short Films (Fantasy/Sci-Fi or Horror)

National or International short films that linger within the genres of Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Cult cinema, Folk Horror, the occult, bizarre, experimental, shockumentaries or dark documentaries. Films that are unsettling, human, and meaningful. No longer than 30 minutes long. North East films that fit this category are invited to submit for free in the NE Submissions instead. Feature films that fit this category are invited to submit to the Feature Films category instead.

Current FeeEUR 10.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 31 minutes
Category

Micro Shorts (5 mins or less)

Micro Shorts of any genre from anywhere in the world, but no longer than 5 minutes long (including credits). North East submissions should submit for free in the North East category.

Current FeeEUR 3.50Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 5 minutes
Category

Feature Films (UK or International)

Films from any country in the world, except the North East of England, with a runtime of 60 minutes or more.

Current FeeEUR 23.34Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 50 minutes