Please find a selection of answers to frequently-asked questions below. If you can’t find an answer to your question, please email submissions@norwichfilmfestival.co.uk and our submissions team will be happy to assist.
Can my film be screened somewhere else before the Norwich Film Festival?
Yes. Whilst we prefer films that have not been released to the public in the UK, we're aware that release strategies come in all shapes and sizes, so prior releases do not influence our decision making. For the avoidance of doubt, this also applies to screenings at other festivals.
How old can my film be?
Your film should have been completed after January 1st 2020. Films completed prior to this date will not be considered.
I submitted my film last year. Can I submit the same film this year?
We will only consider previously selected films if they have been significantly altered. This does not guarantee selection again. Films that have been previously submitted but not selected may be re-entered, though this does not guarantee selection.
Does your deadline refer to arrival or postage dates?
We only accept online submissions online via FilmFreeway, so deadline dates refer to the moment you submit online.
I am having problems submitting via FilmFreeway. Who should I contact?
Please contact FilmFreeway on support@filmfreeway.com.
What screening formats does the Festival accept?
All submissions should be made online via FilmFreeway, using their secure online screening methods. Within this, you can choose to upload your film directly to FilmFreeway, or embed it from another site such as YouTube or Vimeo. Before submitting, please ensure that any links are correct and any required passwords are included. All films must be playable within a browser - please do not send file downloads.
We do not accept postal or email submissions. Please see the Official Rules for our preferred codecs and methods of digital delivery.
What else do I need to include with my submission?
Alongside the film itself, please also include a short synopsis and filmmaker bio. You may also attach any still images, posters and trailers to your submission - these may be used by the festival to help promote your film if selected. If these are not ready at the time of the submission, you're welcome to send them at a later date.
Please do not send any physical materials unless requested by the festival. Anything sent which has not been requested will be recycled.
Do I need to include a Cover Letter?
FilmFreeway will give you the option to include a brief Cover Letter with your submission. You're welcome to include one, but it is not essential. We do read them though, so if there's anything extra you'd like to let us know about yourself and/or your film, a Cover Letter is the best place to put it!
Do you grant fee waivers?
Unfortunately, due to the high costs of running the Festival, we are currently unable to offer fee waivers, though we do hope this will change in the future. In the event that we are able to offer any waivers, these will be clearly communicated via our website.
We do have heavily discounted submission fees for Students and East Anglian filmmakers. Details of these can be found on our website or on our FilmFreeway festival page.
Does when I submit impact the likelihood of my film being selected?
We do not make any final decisions on whether a film will be selected until all submissions have been fairly watched and judged after submissions have closed. A film submitted on the day submissions open has the same chance of being selected as a film submitted on the day submissions close.
What happens to my film once I have submitted?
Your film will be viewed by a minimum of 3-4 people, consisting of a mix of key festival staff and members of our Online Screening Committee.
If you have been successful, we will aim to contact you by the middle of August.
If my film is selected, when will I hear from you?
Successful filmmakers will be contacted around the middle of August to discuss the next steps.
Will I hear from you if my film has not been selected?
You will receive an automated email from the festival to confirm if your film has not been selected. If you have not received an email confirming our decision after our Notification Date, please contact the festival directly so we can ensure it reaches you.
We regret that due to the volume of submissions and our limited resources, this email will not include individual feedback.
What further materials will you need from me?
You should have already included a digital press kit with submission. We will email you a list of any other things we require, as well as a deadline by which to provide them.
Will I get to attend the festival?
All selected filmmakers will be invited to attend their film's screening at the festival. Exact details regarding tickets and any other events available for attending filmmakers will be communicated in the run up to the festival.
Please note that we are unable to provide any financial assistance for travel and accommodation.
