Submissions: You only need to submit ONCE to Bolton Film Festival.
Please identify the category that you feel is the best fit for your film and enter the film, but DO NOT ENTER MULTIPLE CATEGORIES. If our festival programmers feel your film is best suited in another category they will programme it accordingly. By entering your film ONCE into the festival your film is eligible for all the awards and categories.
International Short
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Open to independent film-makers worldwide (with the exception of the UK). Any genre is considered up to 30 minutes in duration. If our judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF programme then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts"
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UK Short
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Independent film-makers are invited to submit short feature films of no more than 30 minutes long for the general classification of "UK Short Feature". If our programmers or judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF programme then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts"
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Made up North
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To be considered for the "Made up North" category the filmmaker should reside within the area defined by Film Hub North. You can find a map here. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts"
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Documentary
Documentary films of up to 30 minutes from any region in the world. If our programmers or judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF programme then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts"
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Animation
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Film-makers are asked to submit any form of animation in shorts of up to 20 minutes in duration. If our programmers or judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF category then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival.
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Horror
Horror films of up to 20 minutes. If our judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF category then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts".
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Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Sci-Fi & Fantasy films of up to 20 minutes. If our judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF category then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts".
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Comedy
Comedy / Entertainment films of up to 20 minutes. If our judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF category then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival. For films between 20 - 30 minutes please enter your film in "Long Shorts"
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Student (M.A/Postgraduate)
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Student short films of any genre are invited to enter with films of no longer than 20 minutes. National and International students will be considered. The director must be/have been a registered student/at the time of production. In the case of "Student Short M.A / Postgraduate) the appropriate level of study should apply. Proof should be provided by uploading student I.D to FilmFreeway.
Student (B.A/Undergraduate)
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Student short films of any genre are invited to enter with films of no longer than 15 minutes. In the case of the "Student Short B.A" category the director (and/or) the majority of those involved in the production must be/have been a registered student/at the time of production within the UK or Ireland. In the case of "Student Short B.A) the appropriate level of study should apply. Proof should be provided by uploading student I.D to FilmFreeway.
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Experimental
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We are looking for experimental videos of up to 15 mins. If our judges think your short may also be suitable for another BFF programme then they will recommend it for further consideration - you only need to submit to one category for Bolton Film Festival.
VR / 360
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We are looking for immersive 360/AR/VR experiences of up to 40 minutes duration - 6DoF, interactive or linear, computer generated or live action of any genre and type. We accept projects developed for a number of headsets including Quest2 and Quest 3. We have the capacity to run projects as PC linked experiences, but provide no further technical equipment other than the headsets and the computers. For technical inquiries please email info@boltonfilmfestival.com
Community or Charity Short
(Free to enter)
Community or Charity groups are invited to enter films that highlight their group charity/community work - films that raise awareness or report issues/concerns. Films must be produced, commissioned or filmed by the group and ideally it's service users. Although films can be self promotional we are looking for entries that tell a story, that engage with a wide audience and demonstrate strong film making skills such as excellent sound, strong cinematography and concise editing.