RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR BSFA 2021 SUBMISSIONS
The British Short Film Awards is a global competition and will only show trailers and not the full short film, thus not impacting your valuable festival premier status.
There is no limit to the number of categories you can submit to.
The multiple entries discount code is only valid for use with multiple entries! Submissions will be disqualified if it used on a single submission entry.
Only one award is given out for free to the winners of the PRINCIPAL categories, however multiple awards can be bought for other direct contributors to that category i.e. if there are multiple producers, co writers etc
Winners of the ADDITIONAL categories may buy a Gold British Short Film Award directly from the BSFA website. Multiple gold awards may be bought for direct contributors to that award i.e. if there are multiple producers, co writers etc
If you have selected 'student entry fees', you will have to show proof that you, or a key member of the production (writer, director, producer), are current students in the year of that awards. Failure to do so will result in disqualification and no refund will be given.
For those that sadly don't win their category their achievement can still be celebrated with a nominee's award which can be ordered directly from the BSFA website.
To be eligible, short films must be 25 minutes and under.
'Long short' films are classed as being between 25 and 40 minutes.
Only films completed after January 2019 are eligible for submission. Although films completed before 2019 are eligible for the 'Short Film From The Archive' sub category.
To qualify for the British, English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh Short Film categories respectively, the submitted film must have been produced in that country and also consist of a cast and crew predominantly from that country.
If you receive your submission confirmation email from FilmFreeway, then your submission has been received. There is no need to contact BSFA to follow up on it, or ask about its progress. No response will be given.
Although Northern Ireland is not geographically in Great Britain, the citizens can hold a British passport if they choose, thus are included in the awards.
All foreign language films must have English subtitles.
Screenplay submissions must be 25 pages or under.
Submitters to ‘Best Student Film’ must send proof of a valid student card to BSFA.
Submissions will be accepted via FilmFreeway only.
Entry fees are nonrefundable.
Submitters agree to join the BSFA newsletter which they can unsubscribe from at any time.
All judging decisions are final.
BSFA reserves the right to enter films into alternate or multiple categories at their discretion.
Submitters will be contacted directly if there is an opportunity to showcase their film with BSFA.
We do not accept extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organisations.
By submitting your project you agree to be added to our newsletter, which you can unsubscribe from at anytime.
By submitting you are allowing BSFA to use clips, your trailer, teaser clip, film poster and stills for promotional purposes only. BSFA will never post, distribute, release or show the film in its entirety.
All rights, clearances and permissions must be obtained prior to submission and applicants must ensure that they have the right to submit the work with regard to third parties connected to the production of the film in question. By entering your work you agree to this and the responsibilities involved. The British Short Film Awards assumes no responsibility for violation of copyright law.
Please note that submission fees will not be refunded if your film does not meet these conditions and The British Short Film Awards reserve the right to disqualify any submissions that don’t adhere to the above terms.
If an opportunity to screen a submitted short film arises, the BSFA will contact the submitter directly.
Thank you for your interest in The British Short Film Awards, we look forward to watching your films.