BFI Future Film Festival

BFI Future Film Festival

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BFI Future Film Festival showcases short films made by filmmakers aged 16 to 25. Submitted films run up to ten minutes, and the awards cover categories including animation, documentary, experimental film, micro shorts, international films, writing and directing. The 2025 prizes were worth more than £15,000, together with mentoring and BFI Player subscriptions. Screenings and industry sessions are held at BFI Southbank in London.

The last edition took place from 20 February to 6 March 2025, with in-person events at BFI Southbank on 20–23 February, a free online programme and a UK-wide programme with BFI Film Academy partners; 54 short films were selected. In June 2025 the BFI announced that the year-round Future Film Programme for 16 to 25-year-olds, launching in January 2026, replaces the annual festival weekend, so there is no standalone festival in 2026.

Country

United Kingdom (UK)

Categories

Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Short

Awards and prizes

Ten awards for short films by filmmakers aged 16 to 25 (2025 edition): Best Film, Best Director and Best New Talent, judged by the festival jury; Best Animation; Best Documentary; Best Experimental; Best International (main prize and a special mention); Best Micro Short; and Best Writer. Most awards carried a £1,500 cash prize with a mentoring package and BFI Player subscriptions; Best New Talent received a Sony FX30 camera and mentoring. Together the prizes were worth more than £15,000.

Contacts

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