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The UK Film Festival London

London, filmmakers and actors UKFF is a

Festival overview

About The UK Film Festival London

Physical film festival in London, filmmakers and actors UKFF is a with submission categories including FEATURE FILM and SHORT FILM.

The festival champions great films but is particularly seeking work from those filmmakers who might not yet have had a prestigious public screening of their work. Screening in the heart of London UKFF welcomes films of all types from all over the World - connecting up-and-coming filmmakers with more established names such as Judi Dench, Dustin Hoffman, James Corden, Bill Nighy, Timothy Spall, Steven Berkoff and most recently Willem Dafoe.

Over the last 7 years UKFF has quickly become a career stepping stone, establishing a tradition of discovering and promoting films which have gone on to be Oscar and BAFTA nominees and winners. Led by a jury of well respected professional filmmakers and as a member of Universal Films and Festivals Organisation we ensure a fair selection and judging process.

Our exciting screening events have created a networking hub that continues to connect new filmmakers to industry including television exposure by leading British broadcaster, Channel 4.

Schedule

Important Dates

Call for Entries Opens
Dec 2, 2025
Final Submission Deadline
Oct 20, 2026
Notification Date
Nov 3, 2026
Festival Starts
Nov 18, 2026
Festival Ends
Nov 22, 2026
Eligibility

Rules & Eligibility

General Rules+

  1. Submission Eligibility - All submitted films (except Features) must have been completed after 1 January 2023. - The student concession fee is only applicable to filmmakers that were full time students at the time of making the film. - All films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English. - Exploitation or grossly indecent genres are not eligible.

  2. Terms and conditions: The UK Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

  3. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

  4. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless UK Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

  5. The admission fees are non-refundable.

Current Categories, Deadlines & Fees

Category

FEATURE FILM

Feature Film The UK Film Festival welcomes features from all over the world from any genre and budget level. These films should be over 40 minutes long and completed after 1 January 2022. The Films will compete for the Best Feature Film Award. Recent category highlights have included Oscar winners "Ida" from Poland and "The Broken Circle Breakdown" from Belgium as well as "Esio Trot" starring Dustin Hoffman, Judy Dench and James Corden. There have also been many much lower budget features including previous winners "Nocturne" and "Tell Tale Heart."

Current FeeEUR 60.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 140 minutes
Category

SHORT FILM

Short Film This category welcomes films from the UK and from all over the world including all budgets and genres. It offers the Biggest cash prize for short film in the UK. These films should be under 40 minutes long and completed after 1 January 2022 Although the UK Film Festival screens the work of established filmmakers it also champions new-comers who may not yet have had the opportunity for a prestigious screening of their work. The Category awards include Best International Short Film and Best British Short. The jury also grants special awards for excellence. These films should be under 40 minutes and have been completed after January 2022. The 2017 Oscar winner, "Stutterer" was also featured and Bafta winners have included “Boogaloo and Graham” in 2015 BAFTA winner and “Operator” in 2016.

Current FeeEUR 29.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 39 minutes
Category

FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY

Feature Length Documentary The UK Film Festival continues to promote great feature documentaries from all over the world. Accepted entries should be 40 minutes or more in length and be completed after 1 January 2023. Films will compete for the Best Feature Documentary Award.

Current FeeEUR 60.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 140 minutes
Category

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

The UK Film Festival accepts documentaries from all over the world. These compete for Best Documentary Short Award, should be under 40 minutes in length and have been completed after 1 January 2022. Films will compete for the Best Documentary Short Award.

Current FeeEUR 23.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 39 minutes
Category

SHORT ANIMATION

Animations over 40 minutes should be entered into the Feature Film Category. Short Animation entries from the UK and from across the world are welcomed for this prestigious category. Films competing for the Best Animated Short Award should have been completed after January 2023. One of our recent winners was the Oscar nominated - "NEGATIVE SPACE"

Current FeeEUR 23.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 39 minutes
Category

STUDENT SHORT

The UK Film Festival's main missions is to discover and champion new voices in filmmaking. The festival accepts entries from students all over the world. The films should be under 40 minutes in length and completed by 1 January 2022 while the filmmaker was studying full time. Films will compete for the Best Student Film Award. Festival highlights have included films from prestigious film schools including; London Film School, NYU and UCLA including the 2019 Oscar Nominee "Dekalb Elementary".

Current FeeEUR 23.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 39 minutes
Category

MUSIC VIDEO

In one of its most exciting screening programmes the UK Film Festival continues to feature cutting edge music videos from around the world. These films should be under 10 minutes and have been completed after 1 January 2022. Films will compete for the Best Music Video Award.

Current FeeEUR 23.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 10 minutes
Category

SHORT FILM - 1st Time Director

SHORT FILM - 1st Time Director currently lists a maximum runtime of 39 minutes. Listed fees include EUR 23 early-bird, EUR 38 regular, EUR 45 late, and EUR 70 extended.

Current FeeEUR 23.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 39 minutes
Category

FEATURE FILM - 1st Time Director

A brand new category aiming to support, showcase and award first time filmmakers. The UK Film Festival welcomes features films made from 1st time filmmakers from all over the world, from any genre and budget level. These films should be over 40 minutes long and completed after January 2023.

Current FeeEUR 60.00Early
RuntimeMaximum runtime: 40 minutes