UK NARRATIVE FEATURES

Run time of over 40 minutes
British Director or Writer or feature a mainly British cast or be set in the UK.

UK NARRATIVE SHORTS

Run time of between 1 and 39 minutes.

 DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

Run time of over 40 minutes.

STUDENT FILMS

Must have been completed while attending a recognised film school.

ANIMATION

Any run time, short or feature

UNCOMMISSIONED SCREENPLAY

Any original screenplay of any length.

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

Run time of over 40 minutes 

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORTS

Run time of between 1 and 39 minutes.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

Run time of between 1 and 39 minutes.

EXPERIMENTAL FILMS

Must have a bold and original style in either visuals or storytelling.

MUSIC VIDEOS

No more than 10 minutes in length.
Can be for independent or established artist.

Terms of Submission

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

LIVIFF is looking for independent feature-length and short films from around the world from any genre.

Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:

GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS

The 10th Liverpool Film Festival will take place from 11th - 14th December 2025..

1. Submission Deadlines
All submission deadlines are found within the FilmFreeway listing.
Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.

2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.

3. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 September 2023.
- Liverpool Film Festival requires at least a Liverpool premiere for all films.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- Films must not have received more than 50% of their funding from a studio or broadcaster.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.

4. Premiere Status
- Liverpool Film Festival requires at least a Liverpool premiere for all films. All films may have screened at other festivals but just not have screened in the Liverpool Region.
- There is no Premiere policy for Experimental Films and music videos.

5. Film Classification
All films screened during the Liverpool Film Festival receive an age rating that is decided by the Liverpool City Council.

6. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for Liverpool Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

7. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from Liverpool Film Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Liverpool Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Liverpool Film Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

8. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production

9. Notification
Liverpool Film Festival endeavours to complete all selection procedures by the dates listed on FilmFreeway and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, press and publicity, guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.

10. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4).in order to be screened at the Liverpool Film Festival. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.
A selected DCP or video file must be received at Liverpool Film Festival no later than TWENTY days prior to its scheduled screening date.

11. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Liverpool Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Liverpool Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Liverpool Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.

12 - Due to the unprecedented and ongoing problems presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reserve the right to change the festival to a geo-blocked virtual online festival if it is not possible to host the event in a physical venue, and for any other reason outside our reasonable control.

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN LIVIFF:

By submitting to the Liverpool Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of LIVIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise LIVIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2025 festival (December 11th - 14th 2025). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the LIVIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold LIVIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to LIVIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2024 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2025 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify LIVIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.