Submissions

Open for the 45th Cambridge Film Festival

** Discounts and Waiver Details Below **

Founded in 1977, the Cambridge Film Festival (CFF) is the UK’s third-longest-running film festival. As a BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying event, we celebrate bold, imaginative filmmaking in all its forms - from international discoveries and UK premieres to artist cinema, restored classics, and emerging voices.

Now entering its 45th edition, the Festival continues to spotlight fresh perspectives, challenge cinematic boundaries, and connect audiences with powerful stories from around the world. Whether you’re a debut filmmaker or an established director, we invite you to be part of the CFF community.

What Sets CFF Apart:

  • Industry Day - A hub for filmmaker development, Industry Day features talks, panels and workshops led by respected industry figures. It’s a space for filmmakers at all stages of their careers to learn, grow, and make meaningful connections.

  • CFF Youth Lab - An initiative led by young programmers (aged 16–24), Youth Lab empowers the next generation through workshops, industry mentoring, and festival participation, including the Youth Lab Jury Award.

  • A Culture of Inclusion - At the heart of CFF is a commitment to accessibility and representation. We champion underrepresented voices on screen and off, and work year-round to remove barriers to participation. Many of our screenings include relaxed formats, descriptive subtitles, and BSL interpretation.

With a rich legacy of showcasing ground-breaking cinema and a reputation for warm hospitality, CFF offers a supportive, high-profile platform for your work.

Join us in October for our 45th edition - a celebration of cinema, creativity, and community.

Awards

CFF presents a range of jury and audience awards to celebrate outstanding work and support recognition for filmmakers. In 2026, the following awards will be presented:

Golden Punt Jury Award – Best Discovery Feature Film

Named after Cambridge’s iconic river punts, this is our highest honour - awarded to the outstanding discovery feature film in the programme. The winner is selected by an invited jury of critics, curators, and filmmakers.

Previous jury members include Peter Bradshaw (The Guardian), Professor Tanya Horeck (ARU), and filmmaker Mara Polgovsky, who brought a wealth of insight and appreciation to the judging process.

“It was a privilege to experience the depth and variety of this year’s selection - the Golden Punt contenders represented the full richness of global cinema today.” - 2025 Jury

Audience Awards

All UK premieres are eligible for the following audience-voted awards:

  • Best Fiction Feature

  • Best Documentary Feature

  • Best Short Film

Youth Lab Jury Award

Awarded by our CFF Youth Lab - a team of young film lovers and emerging programmers who meet year-round and participate fully in the festival experience.

Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award

Presented to a filmmaker or industry figure whose work has had a lasting impact on film culture.

** Cambridge Film Festival is a BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying Festival. **

Eligability

  • Feature Films (60+ mins):

    • Must not have been released in the UK in any format, including online.

    • UK premiere required.

      • UK premieres are eligible for Audience Awards.

    • Exceptions may be made for films of exceptionally high quality or those that premiere at the London Film Festival, at the discretion of Festival staff only.

  • Short Films (under 30 mins):

    • No premiere requirement, but must not be publicly available online in the UK

      • All short films are eligible for Audience Awards

  • All films must have been completed within 18 months of the festival start date.

  • Non-English language films must include embedded English subtitles.

    • We encourage the addition of Closed Captions where possible for accessibility.

  • Films previously submitted to CFF will only be considered if significantly reworked.

  • All rights, permissions, and clearances must be obtained before submission, and applicants must ensure they have the right to submit the work. By entering your work, you agree to this and the responsibilities involved. The Cambridge Film Trust, the registered charity that runs the Cambridge Film Festival, assumes no responsibility for any copyright infringement, and submission fees will not be refunded.

A.I. & Machine Learning

CFF requires all filmmakers to declare any significant use of AI in their submissions. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Use of AI to generate imagery, dialogue, or sound design.

  • Use of AI to simulate performances by real or fictional individuals.

  • Use of AI tools in scripting, editing, or post-production.

We understand the limitations of verification and will, to a large extent, rely on filmmakers’ honest self-reporting.

CFF does not accept submissions that:

  • Use AI to replicate or simulate real individuals (living or deceased) without their explicit consent or the consent of their estate.

  • Use AI-generated material that violates copyright, licensing, or data protection laws.

We reserve the right to request further information or clarification from filmmakers regarding their use of AI and may disqualify films that are found to breach these principles.

Films that involve AI will not be judged more or less favourably based solely on their use of AI. Our selection and jury process continues to prioritise originality, storytelling, technical proficiency, and emotional resonance.

See CFF's full AI policy

Submissions Platform

Selection & Communication

  • Submissions are reviewed by the CFF programming team.

  • Due to volume, we cannot offer individual feedback.

  • All selected filmmakers will be contacted by 16 September 2026.

  • Please ensure you’re contactable throughout August–September.

  • Selected films will be listed publicly in the full festival programme.

  • Please do not send any press materials with your submission. Should your film be accepted, we request that you send us digital images and other press/publicity materials, including press kits.

Screening Format & Delivery

  • All screenings during the Festival period will be at the Festival's discretion. We reserve the right to change the advertised schedule at any time for any reason and will not accept liability for any costs incurred as a result of such changes.

  • You must not withdraw your film from the Cambridge Film Festival programme after its selection/participation has been confirmed. Without our prior agreement, it must not be screened elsewhere before its presentation at the Festival.

  • Your film must be available to screen as a DCP for an in-cinema presentation. No other formats will be accepted. DCPs of selected films must be received by the Festival at least one month before the Festival begins.

  • The Festival cannot cover the costs of any format transfers or subtitling.

  • The Cambridge Film Trust will accept responsibility for technical damage to prints of selected titles while they are in the possession of the Festival and will reimburse the value of the print stock (or part thereof) only. Please ensure you have sufficient insurance to cover your work while in transit to and from the Festival.

Submission Fees & Waivers

CFF is a non-profit charity (registered charity no. 1120059), and reviewing submissions at scale is resource-intensive. However, we are committed to reducing barriers where possible.

We offer the following:

  1. Free submissions for filmmakers based in Cambridgeshire (Proof of address required)

  2. Free submissions for directors/producers who have screened at CFF previously

  3. 25% discount for Global Majority directors

To request a waiver, email:

submissions@cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk

Subject line: (FILM TITLE) – (DISCOUNT/WAIVER)

Please include either:

  • Proof of address

  • Year your work screened at CFF

  • A note requesting the Global Majority director's discount

Please note: No other waivers are available, and fees are non-refundable.