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Eligibility
London Nova Short Film Festival accepts submissions from filmmakers worldwide. Emerging, first-time and established filmmakers are welcome.
Submissions · 2026
RULES & TERMS
Please read these terms carefully before submitting. By submitting a film to London Nova Short Film Festival, the entrant confirms that they have read and accepted the Rules & Terms below.
≤ 30 MinutesTotal running time, including credits.
Screening RightsIf selected, you grant permission for festival screening.
Marketing PermissionIf selected, approved materials and brief excerpts may be used for festival promotion and editorial coverage.
Multiple CategoriesThe same film may be entered in more than one eligible category; each entry may require its applicable fee.
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Running Time
Submitted works must have a total running time of 30 minutes or less, including credits.
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Language & Subtitles
Films not primarily in English must include English subtitles. English-language films are encouraged to provide subtitles or captions where available.
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Categories
Entrants should submit their work to the category they believe best reflects the film’s primary artistic approach. A film may be submitted to multiple eligible categories; each category entry is treated as a separate submission and may require the applicable submission fee. The festival reserves the right to consider or move a submission to another appropriate category where necessary.
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AI & Emerging Technologies
The use of artificial intelligence or emerging technology does not by itself determine eligibility for the AI & Humanity or Beyond the Frame categories. Works will be considered according to their artistic, conceptual and cinematic relevance to the selected category.
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Interactive Works
Entrants submitting interactive work must be able to provide clear technical and presentation requirements. Final presentation is subject to the technical capabilities of the festival venue.
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Rights & Permissions
By submitting, the entrant confirms that they own the submitted work or hold all rights, licences, clearances and permissions necessary to submit and exhibit it, including rights relating to music, images, footage, performances and other copyrighted material. The entrant remains responsible for any claims arising from the submission.
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Submission Fees
Submission fees are non-refundable except where otherwise required by applicable law or FilmFreeway policy. Payment of a submission fee does not guarantee selection, screening or an award.
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Selection
All submissions are subject to curatorial review. Selection and award decisions are final.
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Screening Permission
By submitting, entrants grant London Nova Short Film Festival, if the work is selected, non-exclusive permission to screen and publicly exhibit the work as part of the official 2026 festival programme and associated festival presentations.
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Promotional Materials & Marketing Permission
If selected, entrants grant London Nova Short Film Festival non-exclusive permission to use the film title, poster, stills, trailer, filmmaker/credit information and brief excerpts from the work for festival-related marketing, publicity, press, social media, website, programme and editorial purposes. Copyright in the film remains with the rights holder.
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Screening Materials
Selected filmmakers may be required to provide a high-quality screening file and other necessary exhibition materials by the deadline specified by the festival.
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Programme & Awards
London Nova Short Film Festival reserves the right to determine the final programme, screening schedule and presentation of awards, and may combine, modify or withhold an award where appropriate.
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Attendance
Filmmakers may be invited and are encouraged to attend the festival. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the filmmaker.
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Festival Changes
The festival reserves the right to make reasonable changes to dates, venues, programme structure or event arrangements where circumstances require.
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Acceptance of Terms
Submission to London Nova Short Film Festival constitutes acceptance of these Rules & Terms.
Rights remain with the filmmaker. The permissions above are non-exclusive and limited to festival screening, administration, publicity, marketing and editorial use connected with London Nova Short Film Festival.