Film Submission Rules & Terms 

Rye International Film Festival accepts feature films, short films and documentaries from the UK and around the world. 

Films must have been completed on or after 1 January 2026. 

RIFF does not require a world, international, European or UK premiere. Films that have previously screened at other festivals are welcome. 

Films must not have been commercially released in the UK before RIFF. This includes UK theatrical distribution, television broadcast or public availability through subscription, rental, purchase or free streaming platforms. Previous festival screenings, private screenings and password-protected industry screenings are permitted. 

All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway. Submission fees are non-refundable. 

Short films must have a running time of under 40 minutes. Films of 40 minutes or longer should be submitted as feature films. Documentaries of any length may be entered in the documentary category. 

Films may be submitted in any language. Films not primarily in English must include English subtitles. 

Films should be complete at the time of submission. Works in progress may be considered at RIFF’s discretion, provided this is clearly stated and the completed film can be delivered by the festival’s deadline. 

Entrants must hold all necessary rights and permissions for the film, including its music, performances, images and other copyrighted material. The film must not infringe the rights of any third party. 

The person submitting the film must have the authority to grant RIFF permission to screen it during the festival. 
If selected, filmmakers must provide a festival-standard DCP by the delivery deadline supplied by RIFF. Films that cannot be supplied and successfully quality-checked as a DCP may be withdrawn from the programme. Technical specifications and delivery instructions will be provided to selected filmmakers. 

Once a filmmaker has accepted an invitation to screen at RIFF, the film may not be withdrawn from the festival programme without RIFF’s written agreement. 

Selected films may be considered for all relevant RIFF awards. Decisions made by the festival’s programmers, jury and audience are final. 

By submitting, entrants grant RIFF permission to use the film’s title, synopsis, poster, trailer, stills and an excerpt of up to 60 seconds for festival publicity and promotional purposes. 

Submission does not guarantee selection. Programming decisions are final, and RIFF is unable to provide individual feedback on every submission. 

Filmmakers are generally responsible for their own travel and accommodation. Limited travel or accommodation support may be offered to selected filmmakers at RIFF’s discretion and will be confirmed individually in writing. 

RIFF reserves the right to make reasonable changes to its programme, schedule, venues, awards or festival arrangements when necessary. 

RIFF reserves the right to disqualify a submission if the information supplied is inaccurate or if the film does not meet these eligibility requirements. 

By submitting to Rye International Film Festival, entrants confirm that they have read, understood and accepted these rules.