submit YOUR WORK and get it SEEN HERE!

Get your work seen by people who get your story but first check the guidelines here! 

BlackLifted Film Festival Rules & Terms

Welcome to the BlackLifted Film Festival. We are committed to celebrating and elevating bold, innovative, and authentic global storytelling across film, television, and digital media.

Whilst others celebrate Black Trauma we are the “Black Joy Film Festival and celebrate comedic storytelling in all its forms. So whether it’s drama, romance, Sci Fi or animation if you are highlighting the brightest and most fun loving side of the Black experience this festival is for you!

To ensure a smooth submission process, please carefully review our rules, guidelines, and submission criteria before submitting your project via FilmFreeway.

1. Eligibility & General Rules

• Eligible Projects: We accept short films only: so dramas, documentaries, comedies, sci-fi, music videos and animations even pilot web series episodes. In addition we accept short scripts 15 pages or less.
• Completion Date: Projects must have been completed on or after 1st January 2024.
• Language & Subtitles: Non-English language films must include burnt-in or embedded English subtitles. English-language projects with key foreign dialogue sections must also provide English subtitles for those portions.
• Premiere Status: We do not require strict regional or national premiere status; however, premiere status within the festival circuit may be taken into consideration during final programming decisions.
• Prior Submissions: Works previously submitted to BlackLifted may only be re-submitted if significant structural, edits, or narrative changes have been made.

2. How to Submit (FilmFreeway Protocol)

To ensure your submission is processed efficiently, please follow these navigation steps on FilmFreeway:

1. Digital Screeners Only: All entries must be submitted directly through FilmFreeway via an Online Screener (Vimeo, YouTube, or direct upload to FilmFreeway).
2. Password Protection: If host links (e.g., Vimeo) are password-protected, the password must remain active and unchanged until the official selection announcements are completed.
3. Contact Information: Ensure your primary contact details, email address, and phone number are up to date on your FilmFreeway profile.
4. Press Kit & Metadata: Submissions must include:

• A short logline (under 50 words).
• A synopsis (under 250 words).
• High-resolution production stills (minimum 300 DPI).
• Director’s biography and headshot.
• Key credits (Director, Writer, Lead Cast, Producer).

3. Submission Categories & Duration Limits

• Drama/ Narrative: Under 20 minutes and could include WebSeries pilot.)
• Comedy : 20 minutes or less..
• Fantasy or SciFi: 20 minutes or less
• Documentary: 20 minutes or less
• Animation: 20 minutes or less
• Music Video: 20 minutes or longer.
• Comedy script 15 pages or less

4. Submission Fees & Deadlines

• Early Bird Deadline: [£15]
• Regular Deadline: [£20]
• Late Deadline: [£30]
• Final Extended Deadline: 15th February Fee Policy:
• All submission fees are strictly non-refundable.
• Discounted rates apply to Student submissions with valid proof of student ID.
• Fee waiver requests are reviewed selectively and are generally reserved for partner organisations or invited alumni.

5. Selection, Notification & Exhibition Materials

• Notification Date: All filmmakers will be notified of their status via FilmFreeway by 27th February 2027
• Exhibition Copies: Selected filmmakers must provide an exhibition-ready format (typically ProRes, MP4 h.264, or DCP, depending on venue requirements) by the agreed date. 
• Delivery Responsibility: The submitter covers any costs associated with shipping physical drives or digital file transfers to the festival.
• Marketing & Promotion: By submitting, you grant BlackLifted the right to use short excerpts, trailers, posters, and stills from the project for festival promotional purposes across digital platforms, print, and press releases.

6. Rights, Clearances & Legal Terms

• Copyright & Ownership: The submitter warrants that they hold all necessary rights, licenses, and clearances (including music, archival footage, literary rights, and talent release forms) required to screen the film publicly.
• Indemnification: The submitter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the BlackLifted Film Festival, its directors, staff, and sponsors from any claims, liabilities, losses, or damages arising out of copyright, trademark, credit, or publicity disputes.
• Program Adjustments: The festival reserves the right to alter the screening schedule, venue, or format (physical, hybrid, or online) should circumstances dictate.

Need Assistance?

For submission queries or issues regarding FilmFreeway navigation, please contact the festival programming team directly via hello@cace.org.uk or the contact button on our FilmFreeway main page.

Find up and coming talent who want to celebrate the diaspora by finding us on FilmFreeway with the link here