Finding your way

As a filmmaker, some things are very important: making films, obtaining funding and showing the film to the rest of the world out there! Around the globe there are so many great festivals and events that it is easy to lose track of what is happening. Among everything that is going on, it can be difficult to realistically assess which festival is the right one for your film.

Because of that CineSud Magazine started publishing monthly articles with the most interesting and promising international film festivals that you can submit to the following months. Next to that we give an overview of interesting funding options in the heart of the Netherlands, Belgium as well as Germany.

Film Festivals

Encounters Festival - Bristol

Submission deadline: June 4
Festival dates: September 20 - September 26

Encounters is the UK’s leading short film, animation and virtual reality festival.

The festival discovers, supports and develops new talent in filmmaking, providing a platform for emerging and established filmmakers from around the world, and continues to be a unique meeting place for the industry. [Read more]

AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 5
Festival dates: October 15 - October 22

AFI FEST presented by Audi is a world-class event, showcasing the best films from across the globe to captivated audiences in Los Angeles. With a diverse and innovative slate of programming, the eight-day film festival presents screenings, panels and conversations, featuring both master filmmakers and new voices. Special events at the festival take place at iconic LA locations, such as the historic TCL Chinese Theatre and the glamorous Hollywood Roosevelt. [Read more]

Raindance Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 6
Festival dates: October 28 - November 7

Raindance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the UK. It is officially recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences USA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the British Independent Film Awards. Selected shorts will qualify for Oscar® and BAFTA considerations. [Read more]

Vancouver International Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 8
Festival dates: September 24 - October 9

Both in terms of admissions and number of films screened, VIFF is among the five largest film festivals in North America. Screening films from more than 70 countries on nine screens, VIFF's program includes the pick of the world’s top film fests and many undiscovered gems. [Read more]

TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 12
Festival dates: September 10 - September 20

TIFF is dedicated to presenting the best of international and Canadian cinema and creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. As Canada's premiere home of cinema, TIFF offers screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, events, professional development and opportunities to meet, hear and learn from filmmakers from Canada and around the world. [Read more]

Venice Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 12 (Biennale), June 19 (Venice Days)
Festival dates: September 2 - September 12

The 77th Venice International Film Festival is organised by La Biennale di Venezia and directed by Alberto Barbera. It will take place at Venice Lido from 2 - 12 September 2020. The Festival is officially recognised by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Association). [Read more]

BFI London Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 17
Festival dates: October 7 - October 18

From 2 - 13 October the world's best new films come to London. With 345 films to choose from, there is a lot to explore. The Festival competitions bring together the most innovative, groundbreaking new films from across the world. The judges will be deliberating over the course of the Festival and the audience can catch the winning films at special surprise screenings on Saturday 12 October. [Read more] 

Woodstock Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 18
Festival dates: September 30 - October 4

Hailed as "A True American Maverick Among Fests" and named among the top 50 film festivals worldwide, the Woodstock Film Festival premieres exceptional films, hosts the most talented emerging and established professionals in the movie industry; presents A-list concerts, panels and parties, and creates stimulating, innovative programming year-round. [Read more]

Calgary International Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 19
Festival dates: September 23 - October 4

CIFF is the largest film festival in Alberta and is the sixth largest in Canada. It is also an Oscar-qualifying festival for short films, a Canadian Screen Award Qualifying festival, and was named one of "50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in 2016, 2017 & 2019 by MovieMaker Magazine. [Read more]

Hamburg International Film Festival

Submission deadline: June 30
Festival dates: September 24 - October 3

As a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, a large number of the films are presented in person by the film creators in Hamburg. Numerous events make FILMFEST HAMBURG an important meeting point for cinema enthusiasts and the film industry alike. [Read more]

Funding

Dutch Deadlines

Nederlands Film Fonds:
- Teledoc Campus (June 6)
- Teledoc (June 15)

Belgian Deadlines

Flemish Audiovisual Fund:
- Filmfonds: FilmLab (June 11)
- Filmfonds Animatie: majoritair kort en middellang (June 16)
- Filmfonds Animatie: minoritair (June 16)
- Filmfonds: Documentaire (June 16)
- Internationale promotiesteun Filmfonds (June 19)
- Filmfonds Fictie 1 (June 30)
- Filmfonds Fictie 2: Ontwikkeling (June 30)
- Filmfonds Fictie 2: Productiesteun (June 30)
- Filmfonds Fictie 2: Productiesteun na start opnames (June 30)

German Deadlines

Medienstiftung NRW:
- Vereinfachte Förderung Distribution / Sales (June 10)

Are you up-to-date?

You don't want to miss any deadlines or activities from the region? Then check agenda & deadlines.