The Discover Film Festival is one of the biggest short film festivals in the world with over 3,000 annual submissions from 100+ countries. There are global premiers in London's Leicester square with packed cinema audiences, filmmaker parties and red carpet events.
This festival has one of the largest short film cash prize funds of $25,000 (£20,000) with the prestigious Craghoppers Film Prize, which is judged by an independent jury of over 200 leading industry experts including TV & film directors, producers, actors, writers, journalists and film financiers. Over the past 6 years over £175,000 ($220,000) has been awarded to filmmakers and winning films have gone on to win at the BAFTAs and Oscars.
The Discover Film Festival is consistently voted by filmmakers in the top film festivals globally. Spread over 5 days in September 2024, the festival involves public cinema screenings at the iconic Prince Charles cinema in Leicester Square. Quentin Tarantino describes it as his favourite cinema in London saying it is "everything an independent movie theatre should be” - and we agree.
The festival looks for the best short films: stories that share a glimpse of the lives of filmmakers. This could be what bothers them or makes them laugh, of injustices, of unsung heroes, of the serious, the bizarre, the funny or just where filmmakers' imaginations take them. All genre of short film are welcome to enter. Films screening receive 4 complimentary VIP passes to all festival events (worth £600). All films must be under 45 minutes.
Selected films get the option of various paid distribution opportunities including international TV, video on demand, major trains, hotels and airlines. Distribution is optional and entirely up to the filmmaker.
As well as cash prizes, winners can get help with future film projects in the form of discounted rates from partner firms (such as production houses) and assistance from senior commercial film and business executives. The festival also introduces filmmakers to funding sources and offers publicity across a wide range of media (print and social) so enter today!
Cash Prizes:
£10,000 ($12,500) - First prize for best short film from any genre
£5,000 ($6,250) - Second prize, again any genre
£2,000 ($2,500) - Best social impact short
£2,000 ($2,500) - Best short documentary
£1,000 ($1,250) - Best student short film (any genre)
These five prizes are awarded at the closing ceremony of the Discover Film Festival. All films entered in the year are in competition for these prizes. Cash prizes are actual payments rather than in kind prizes.
There are also paid for distribution opportunities, free annual membership of the Female Film Club worth £175 ($220) and complimentary VIP passes for screened films and Craghoppers’ gift vouchers for all award winners.
Physical Awards:
Audience Award
Jury Award
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Screenplay
Best Editor
Best Cinematography
Best Action
Best Animation
Best Adaptation
Best Comedy
Best Romantic Comedy
Best Cross-Over
Best Debut
Best Documentary
Best Drama
Best Experimental
Best Fantasy
Best Horror
Best Low Budget
Best International (various awards)
Best Foreign Language (various awards)
Best Micro (under 5 minutes - various awards)
Best Music Video
Best Non-Narrative
Best Sci-Fi
Best Student
Best Director Without Borders