Submissions open — Spring 2027
Submit Your Film
LIFF is looking for genuinely independent films from first- and second-time filmmakers — features, shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental work, horror and sci-fi, music videos and screenplays.
Submit on FilmFreewayDeadlines and current entry windows are listed on FilmFreeway.
“A treasure trove of undiscovered cinematic gems, one of Europe's top indie film fests.”
Why submit to LIFF
A real cinema, a real audience
Selected films screen theatrically at Genesis Cinema — not a link, not a livestream.
Built for debut filmmakers
LIFF exists for first- and second-time directors. You are not competing with studio product.
Budget-honest categories
Awards for low-budget, micro-budget and no-budget features mean your film is judged fairly.
Industry in the room
Sales agents, distributors and consultants attend, and our Mini-Market puts your pitch in front of them.
Ten days of networking
Parties, Q&As and panels across the festival — most collaborations start in the bar.
Twenty years of credibility
One of London's longest-running independent festivals, and a Time Out pick.
Film award categories
- Best Low-budget Feature (over £100k)
- Best Micro-budget Feature (under £100k)
- Best No-Budget Feature (under £10k)
- Best UK Feature
- Best Documentary
- Best Sci-Fi / Horror Feature
- Best Female Director Feature
- Best LGBT Film
- Best Short Film
- Best UK Short
- Best Short Documentary
- Best Animated Short
- Best Experimental Short
- Best Short Short
- Best Horror / Sci-Fi Short
- Best Music Video
Screenplay award categories
- Best Feature Screenplay
- Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay
- Best UK Screenplay
- Best Short Screenplay
- Best Screenplay Pitch
LIFF is open to UK and international entries in every category above.
Entry fees
| Category | Early | Regular | Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feature films | £65 | £70 | £75 |
| Short films | £40 | £45 | £50 |
| Music videos & short shorts | £25 | £30 | £35 |
| Feature screenplays | £40 | £45 | £50 |
| Short screenplays | £25 | £30 | £35 |