2024

for screenplay submission information, see here. 

The BIFF team will present another fantastic festival of independent filmmaking from February 16-19, 2023 at one of Berlin’s favourite independent cinemas, the Babylon, Rosa-Luxemburg-Str. 30, 10178.

The Berlin Independent Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing emerging international film talent.

https://filmfreeway.com/festival/biff

The alternative is to pay via Paypal and complete the submission form.

We accept only digital submissions for consideration.  Please use our festival submission platform FilmFreeway. If digital submission is impossible for you, drop up an email and we’ll work something out.

Deadlines:

Early — ending Sept 7, 2023;
Regular — ending Oct 5, 2023;  
Late — ending Nov 9, 2023, and Final Dec 14, 2023

Fees for feature films are €85 early, €90 regular, €95 late .
Fees for short films are €55 early, €60 regular, €65 late.
Fees for music videos: €35 early, €40 regular, €45 late

Fees for feature scripts are €55 early, €60 regular, €65 late.

Please send any related press materials, including electronic press kit, and photos to info@berlinfest.com.

Although due care will be exercised, BIFF cannot assume any liability for damage to entries.

1. If selected to be showcased during the event, all screening copies must be received by Jan 12th, 2024

2. Films which have been broadcast on Television, Cable or have had an international theatrical release prior to BIFF are NOT eligible for any competition but may be screened, out of competition.

3. Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.

4. All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.

5. Film Producers are responsible for insurance and shipment costs of films to BIFF.

1. All film entries will be considered for the Awards competition. Award winners will be selected by a panel of active film industry professionals. All films go through a screening process and are reviewed by at least two film industry professionals.

2. Winners agree to participate in the publicity for the Festival as well as other promotional events, including the website.

3. Jury Film Award categories:

Best Feature (over €100k)

Best Micro-budget Feature (under €100k)

Best No-Budget Feature (under €10k)

Best Documentary

Best Sci-Fi / Horror Feature

Best Female Director Feature

Best LGBT film

Best Short Film

Best Short Short Film

Best UK Short Film

Best Short Documentary

Best Animated Short

Best Experimental Short

Best Horror / Sci-Fi Short

Best Music Video

Screenplay Awards categories:

Best Feature Screenplay

Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay

Best Comedy Screenplay

Best EU Screenplay

1. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted and are attending the festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.

2. Filmmakers or screenwriters accepted into BIFF – will receive the following:

Two(2) festival passes per submitted film to see all the festival films FREE
Admittance for filmmakers to the “Opening Night Party”

All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by the Berlin Independent Film Festival, without notice.

3. BIFF Nominees agree to participate in the publicity for the Festival and related promotional platforms, including BIFF events, website, social media, international press coverage and allowing BIFF to link to third party websites such as Vimeo hosting their film trailers.

When is the next festival?
BIFF will run February 16-23 2023 at Babylon in Berlin, Germany. The same time as the European Film Market.

Where are the selected films shown?
BIFF films are shown at a the Babylon in downtown Berlin.

Will I receive feedback or comments on my film?
No. Due to the high volume of submissions received every year, we are unable to provide feedback on your film.

What is the shipping address for packages?
Mail your screeners to our London Submissions Dept:
BIFF
Office 2
72 Great Titchfield St.
W1W 7QW
London, UK

How many films do you accept in the festival?
We the next festival line-up will include about 70 films. 10 features and 60 shorts.

What are the screening format for selected films?
The projects selected for the Festival mainly screened off DVD, OR Blu Ray. We accept both NTSC and PAL. If your film is accepted, our Screenings Dept. will discuss screening formats with you. Due to technical constraints, BIFF cannot accept 16mm screening copies (but 35mm can be arranged in special circumstances).

Which Preview Copy Formats do you accept? 
Entries must be submitted on DVD. BIFF accepts both PAL and NTSC formats. Region 2 (Europe) and region 0 (no region) are preferred but we accept DVDs in all regions. We recommend that you TEST your disk on a stand-alone DVD player BEFORE sending it to our offices.

Can I submit a work-in-progress or “rough cut”?
Works-in-progress are welcomed. Our programmers are very used to watching rough cuts, and will judge the film accordingly.

Does your deadline refer to arrival or postage dates?
We will accept all submissions with a postmark dated on or before our deadline. Please see our Rules and Regulations.

Will my screener be returned to me?
No. Due to the large volume of titles received by our Submissions Team, we are unable to return your screeners.

Do you waive fees for starving student filmmakers and/or established artists?
No. The reality is that it costs time and money for us to administrate the entire film submission process. We’re not getting rich off this, but we do have to cover our basic costs.

I have two shorts and they’re both on one dvd. Do I have to send them as separate entries?
Yes. Each work you submit must be submitted separately, and only one submission per DVD.

Do you consider requests for deadline extensions?
Please contact us if you need an extension. Before requesting an extension, please understand that the later we receive your film, the less time we have to view it. This means that your video can be viewed fewer times and by fewer people on our programming team.

Should I send a publicity kit with my submission?
No. We will require an electronic press kits ONLY if your film is selected. In keeping with our efforts to become a carbon neutral festival, we request that you do not send press kits, photo stills or any other propaganda materials.