Our annual Buxton Shorts Festival, is back! Once again, we are partnering with our friends at Buxton Opera House and Buxton Cinema for this year’s Short Film Festival. We are keen to encourage film makers with a local connection but we are always on the lookout for great storytelling so we are happy to widen the field to surrounding areas.
Selected films will be screened during the Buxton Festival Fringe in July 2025. The judging panel will be announced in due course and cash prizes will be awarded to winning entries. There will also be an audience award voted for on the night.
STOP PRESS: NEW FOR 2025: DO YOU HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR A FILM?
As well as those with film-making experience, we would also like to encourage upcoming filmmakers, so this year we would like to offer free training and guidance along the film-making journey. Using established industry professionals, we will offer masterclasses and/or coaching sessions designed to enhance and improve your existing filmmaking skills. Sessions will be tailored to the needs of the filmmakers. This is not aimed at novice filmmakers but rather those who have already made some films and would like to take the next step.
For example:
- Ideas and Storytelling. How do you tell a compelling story?
- Planning your shoot. Organisation, compliance and safety.
- Filming dos and don’ts.
- Editing.
- Promoting and publishing your film.
These are aimed at films that will be made for the festival. Existing films can be submitted as they are. This training is entirely voluntary and simply aims to help you be a better filmmaker. This is not suitable for film novices, but do get in touch if you’d like to discuss this.
Let us know you plan to submit by completing the ‘Intention to submit’ form below.
IMPORTANT DATES
January 31st 2025
If you plan to take advantage of our training and coaching programme, please complete the box in the Intention To Submit form below by this date.
March 31st 2025
If you simply wish to enter your film, all you have to do is let us know that on the form below by this date.
May 31st 2025
All completed entry forms and films MUST be submitted by this date to give us time for judging and the production of our printed programme.
Exhibition Details
- You may submit a maximum of two titles with separate payment and submission forms for each.
- Films submitted must be no older than 2 years.
- The entry fee for each film submitted is £10. You will be invoiced on receipt of entry form.
- Films can be any genre: fiction, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentary, animation, music videos etc.
- Films must be 10 minutes or under in length.
- Thought-provoking films with original ideas and good production values are more likely to be selected.
- Films must be submitted in Mp4 format in full HD. Selected films will be converted to DCP format for projection on a full cinema screen. You can send film files by download or deliver via usb (details in submission form). Feel free to contact us about this if you are having issues.
- All submitted films must be completed works and include end credits.
- All submitted films must be compliant. All copyright cleared, all permissions and consents sought and given.
- Entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.
- Judging will be based on all aspects of production value such as originality, storytelling, editing, soundtrack, script etc.
- Winning entries will receive cash prizes.
- Selected entries will be notified and screened in the Pavilion Arts Centre cinema during the Buxton Festival and Buxton Festival Fringe in July 2025. All submissions will receive a free ticket to the event and requests for complimentary tickets will be limited to 3 for each film screened.
- If you are interested and plan on taking part, we ask that you register an intention to submit by completing the appropriate form below. This registration will be taken as consent for us to contact you with further information in due course. You will also be able to register your interest in our coaching programme. Your details will not be used for any other purpose.
When you are ready to submit your film please complete the full entry form.