Submissions for the 2026 edition of the Festival are now open. The final deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 17 April 2026.
The 79th edition of Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 13 to 19 August 2025.
For any questions about the submissions process, please contact: submissions@edfilmfest.org
SUBMIT FILMS TO EIFF 2026 VIA FILMFREEWAY
Submissions Rules
- ● Films must have, at minimum and without exception, the UK Premiere available. EIFF is particularly interested in World Premieres.
- ● Films must not be older than 12 months by the start of EIFF 2026 i.e. cannot have been publicly screened anywhere, online or in person, prior to 13 August 2025.
- ● EIFF regards a short film as 30 minutes or under and a feature film as anything over 30 minutes.
- ● Films that are available to purchase are not eligible. This includes Blu-ray/DVD/online digital download formats.
- ● Promotional films are not eligible (e.g. films promoting tourism, charitable appeals, etc.).
Submission Deadlines & Fees
Submissions open on Tuesday 6 January 2026 and final deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 17 April 2026.
There are three submissions deadlines:
EARLYBIRD Friday 6 February 2026
SHORT – $55 / FEATURE – $80
REGULAR Friday 13 March 2026
SHORT – $75 / FEATURE – $100
LATE Friday 17 April 2026
SHORT – $95 / FEATURE – $125
PLEASE NOTE – the submissions fee is non-refundable. If your film does not match the criteria listed above and you still submit your film, we will not consider your film and will not refund your fee. If in doubt, we recommend reaching out to our Submissions team via email to clarify the eligibility of your film before submitting.
● We are unable to provide fee waivers.
● All films should be submitted online via FilmFreeway.
The final selection of all films presented at the Festival and their placement in the EIFF programme is at the discretion of the Festival Director.
For any questions about the submissions process, please contact submissions@edfilmfest.org
We strongly encourage you to read our EIFF 2026 Submissions Rules & Regulations for information on how to submit and our eligibility criteria. Please also see our EIFF 2026 Submissions FAQs.
The Awards
The following awards will be given at the 79th Edinburgh International Film Festival.
The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence
The Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence creates a powerful platform to showcase today’s most talented and original filmmakers by linking their success to the legacy of Scotland’s most famous global star.
The award, which carries a cash prize of £50,000, is open to features of any genre that will have their World Premiere at EIFF in August 2025.
Eligible films are selected at the discretion of the Festival Director.
The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence
The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence will celebrate excellence in short filmmaking.
The award, which carries a cash prize of £15,000, is open to short films of any genre that will have their World Premiere at EIFF in August 2026. EIFF classifies a short film as 30 minutes or under.
Eligible films are selected at the discretion of the Festival Director.
