Submission Guidelines
Feature Films
Length: Minimum 60 minutes
Format: DCP, ProRes, or H.264
Subtitles: English required for non-English films
Fee: €50 early bird / €75 regular
Short Films
Length: Maximum 30 minutes
Format: MP4, MOV, or AVI
Subtitles: English required for non-English films
Fee: €25 early bird / €40 regular
Documentaries
Length: Any duration
Format: DCP preferred, HD digital accepted
Subtitles: English required for non-English films
Fee: €40 early bird / €60 regular
Competition Categories
International Feature Competition
- Best Feature Film Award (€1,000)
- Runner-up Feature (€500)
- Best Director Award
- Best Screenplay Award
- Emerging Filmmaker Award
European Short Film Competition
- Best European Short (€500)
- Best Animation Award
- Emerging Talent Award
- Best Experimental Film
- Audience Choice Award
Documentary Showcase
- Best Documentary Feature (€750)
- Best Documentary Short
- Social Impact Award
- Community Choice Award
- Best Cinematography
Important Dates
Submission Requirements
Technical Specifications
- Video Format: DCP (preferred), ProRes 422, H.264, MP4, MOV, AVI
- Resolution: Minimum 1920x1080 (Full HD), 4K preferred for features
- Audio: Stereo or 5.1 surround, 48kHz/24-bit minimum
- Subtitles: .srt or embedded, white text with black outline
- Color Space: Rec. 709 or DCI-P3
Required Materials
- Completed submission form
- High-resolution film file or DCP
- Director's statement (max 500 words)
- Film synopsis (short and long versions)
- Director and producer biographies
- High-resolution stills (minimum 5 images)
- Movie poster or artwork
- Press kit (if available)
Eligibility Criteria
- Films completed after January 1, 2024
- World, international, or European premieres preferred
- No previous screening at Bonn IFF
- Copyright clearance for all elements
- Director must be available for festival dates if selected
Submit Your Film
Why Submit to Bonn IFF?
International Exposure
Showcase your film to international audiences, industry professionals, and press representatives from across Europe and beyond.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with fellow filmmakers, distributors, and industry experts during our festival week networking events and masterclasses.
Prize Money & Recognition
Compete for cash prizes totaling over €20,000 and gain recognition that can boost your career and future projects.
Distribution Support
Selected films receive promotional support and potential distribution opportunities through our industry partners.