Oxford International Film Festival is now taking submissions for the 2021 event.
OXIFF is designed to be an intimate and eloquent filmmaker festival where film enthusiasts can get first hand insights from directors, writers, actors and producers from the premiering films, a style which blends well with the beautiful city of Oxford.
After the rescheduled hybrid 2020 event the festival is excited to get back to normal in our usual early summer festival in 2021.
Our hope is that all films for the 2021 edition will be screened in a cinema with filmmakers being invited to attend and take part in post-screening Q&A’s, networking events and after parties. Of course, this may change given the current situation.
OXIFF prides itself on being an honest, welcoming event that shines a light on true independent film. OXIFF is an opportunity for indie filmmakers to showcase their work in a real cinema and a chance to share their stories with the public. We look to provide a platform in which a filmmaker can get their work seen and their cinematic voices heard.
In its first five years all the films selected for OXIFF came through open submissions. This is a strict policy that the organisers will continue with for the sixth festival. For an idea of what to expect in 2021 please take a look at our photographs and videos both on FilmFreeway and our website.
OXIFF2020 marked the fifth edition of the festival and screened a selection of films from wide array of genres across feature and short films, documentary films, animations, experimental films and music videos.
The festival opened at The Ultimate Picture Palace with a selection of thirteen UK Shorts, all made by some of the UK’s up and coming filmmaking talents. Highlights of the session included SORCERESS, starring Game of Thrones Nathalie Emmanuel, SHE, directed by Control screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh, ISABEL, starring Iain Glenn (Game of Thrones) and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) and GAME OVER with Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners) and Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones, Killing Eve).
Films screened at the Odeon, George Street included British comedy LOVE TYPE D, about a woman who finds she has a ‘loser in love’ gene, INTERNATIONAL FALLS, about a small town Mum who dreams of becoming a comedienne that stars Rachael Harris (The Hangover) and Rob Huebel (Transparent) , revenge thriller #LIKE starring Marc Menchaca (Ozark) and Sarah Rich (Orange is the New Black) and the Susan Sarandon featuring documentary AMERICAN MIRROR: INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY.
Online screenings included a session of short films, music documentaries A SOUL JOURNEY and DARRYL JONES: IN THE BLOOD and a narrative feature NINA OF THE WOODS.
"Thank you to the entire OXIFF crew. I feel extremely honored to receive this recognition for New York city Sketchbook." Willy Hartland, Director of Film of the Festival New York City Sketchbook
"Brilliantly organised and curated with great films, lovely people, and an amazing buzz around the place. And the Picturehouse cinema really made us feel at home. It was a great platform for our film as there had been a lot of hard work put into getting audiences in and press coverage before and during the festival, which so many festivals don't seem to do after the initial scheduling etc. They really made it feel like you were part of a bigger thing, not just a screening and a chat and all the filmmakers mingled and have stayed in touch after the festival. Definitely worth the money!" Matt Butler Director of Two Down
"A joy of a festival: good programming (the shorts in particular were top-notch), very present and engaged organizers, qualified industry judges, friendly atmosphere, good q+as, and ample opportunity to meet and hang out with fellow filmmakers, it's shocking that this festival was only in its first year. In time, as the festival returns to Oxford in subsequent years, its presence in the city will become more established in the city and turnout will expand. As it stands, this fest is 100% worth the entry fee. Try to get there in person, you won't regret it." Nicholas Gray Director of The Paper Store
"Great festival especially for its first year. The quality of the films was high and it was great that so many of the filmmakers were there. The organisers were very friendly and present at the festival. Overall - lots of wonderful people and films!" Miranda Howard Williams Director of Albert
The exclusive spire awards will be chosen by a jury made up of respected industry professionals. The Spire award categories are:
Best international Feature
Best UK Film
Best international short film
Best UK short film
Best documentary Feature
Best documentary Short
Best Experimental
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best Music Video
Best production
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Edit
Best Score
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Staff Choice
Film of the Festival- ‘Spire of Dreams award’