Submission for Oxiff 2025 are open.

 

UK NARRATIVE FEATURES

  • Run time of over 45 minutes

  • Must be able to qualify as a British film using the BFI criteria.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

  • Run time of over 45 minutes.

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORTS

  • Run time of between 1 and 44 minutes.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

  • Run time of between 1 and 44 minutes.

EXPERIMENTAL FILMS

  • Must be between 1 and 44 minutes run time.

  • Projects over 44 minutes must be submit to the relevant categories.

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

 

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURES

  • Run time of over 45 minutes

 

UK NARRATIVE SHORTS

  • Run time of between 1 and 44 minutes.

STUDENT FILMS

  • Must be between 1 and 44 minutes run time.

  • Projects over 44 minutes must be submit to the relevant categories.

  • Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English

  • Must have been completed while attending a recognised film school.

ANIMATION

  • Must be between 1 and 44 minutes run time.

  • Projects over 44 minutes must be submit to the relevant categories.

MUSIC VIDEOS

  • No more than 10 minutes in length.

  • Can be for independent or established artist.

Please submit early to save on our submission fees. Your online screener must be ready for viewing by the following dates listed on FilmFreeway to meet the respective deadline: 

OXIFF 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

OXIFF 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 8th Oxford International Film Festival will take place from the 4th to the 7th Dec 2025.

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

2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 September 2023.
- Oxford International Film Festival requires at least an Oxfordshire 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.

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

4. Film Classification
All films screened during the Oxford International Film Festival receive a blanket 18 rating unless they already hold a BBFC certification.

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

6. 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 Oxford International Film Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Oxford International Film Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Oxford International Film Festival will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid

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

8. Notification
Oxford International Film Festival endeavors 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.

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

10. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Oxford International Film Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Oxford International Film Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Oxford International 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.

COVID-19 - 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 OXIFF:

By submitting to the Oxford International Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of OXIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorise the OXIFF 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 4th - 7th 2025). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the OXIFF 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 OXIFF 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 OXIFF 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 2025 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2025 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify OXIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.