Berlin Gate International Film Festival (BGIFF) (1)

Festival start: 24 January 2027      Festival end: 24 January 2027

A NEW KIND OF FILM FESTIVAL

Berlin Gate isn't built like other festivals — and that's the point. Born in Berlin, a city that has always crossed borders, BGIFF opens a new path for independent cinema from every corner of the world: a festival designed not only to judge films, but to get them seen and supported.

We believe every project has a spark of brilliance in it somewhere. That's why every eligible film here gets a real chance to be seen — not just a line in a rejection email.

OPEN FROM THE FIRST CLICK TO THE FINAL NIGHT

Most festivals go silent after you press "submit". We don't. From the day you enter to the final night in Berlin, every step of the journey is clear: where your film stands, what comes next, and how it can go further.

FREE TO ENTER. BUILT TO BE SEEN.

Berlin Gate is open to bold, independent work from every corner of the world — and entry is free. Submit in the category that fits your work best. Our selection team screens every eligible entry, and the works that stand out move forward into competition — and into a growing world of recognition, visibility and opportunities around the festival in Berlin.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

BGIFF welcomes narrative and documentary films, animation, experimental work, music videos, student and debut films, web and new-media projects, screenplays, AI-assisted films, underground cinema and photography. Projects may come from any country and may be created in any language, provided that non-English films include clear English subtitles. We look for originality, strong visual storytelling, creative risk-taking, honest human or cultural perspectives and meaningful uses of new technology. Budget, celebrity and equipment are not deciding factors; the jury focuses on the strength of the idea, execution and impact.

SOMETHING NEW IS COMING

Our first edition introduces a completely new festival journey — unlike anything you've seen at a film festival before. The details will be revealed to our entrants first. Enter now and be part of it from the very beginning.

IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN BERLIN

The heart of the festival is a live event in Berlin — a night of screenings, celebration, and the moment the winners are called to the stage. So step through the gate. Send your film to the very first edition of Berlin Gate — and show the world what your voice sounds like.

Cash Prizes: 1,000€

Berlin Gate celebrates outstanding work across categories, crafts and voices. Every entry competes in one section — the one it was entered in. If the same work was entered in more than one section, keep the one that fits best; otherwise the festival will place it where it belongs.

THE JOURNEY
At Berlin Gate, recognition is a journey, not a single verdict. Works move forward through the festival in stages, and every work that advances carries the mark of how far it went. The final honours are decided by the festival's jury. Full details of the journey are shared with entrants.

THE BERLIN GATE GRAND PRIZE
The festival's highest honour — chosen from the standout works across every section for originality, craft, creative daring and impact. The winner receives the one-of-a-kind Berlin Gate trophy, the Grand Prize laurel and certificate, and a special feature across BGIFF's channels.

CATEGORY AWARDS
Best Narrative Feature; Best Narrative Short; Best Low-Budget Feature; Best Feature Documentary; Best Short Documentary; Best Animation; Best Experimental Film; Best Music Video; Best Student Film; Best First Film; Best Web / New Media; Best AI Film; Best Underground Film; Best LGBTQ+ Film; Best Feature Screenplay; Best Short Screenplay; Best Cinematic Photography; Best Documentary Photography; Best Conceptual & Fine-Art Photography.

CRAFT AND TECHNICAL HONOURS
Best Director; Best Screenplay; Best Lead Performance; Best Supporting Performance; Best Ensemble Cast; Best Cinematography; Best Editing; Best Sound Design; Best Original Score; Best Production Design; Best Costume Design; Best Makeup; Best Visual Effects; Best Concept; Best Visual Storytelling.

IDENTITY AND THEMATIC HONOURS
Best Female Director; Human Rights & Freedom Award; Migration & Crossing Borders Award; Environmental Cinema Award.

SPECIAL JURY HONOURS
The jury may also present a Special Jury Prize, Best Emerging Voice, Artistic Courage Award, Narrative Innovation Award, Cultural Impact Award, Best Cross-Cultural Vision or Special Jury Mention.

Beyond the category awards, the festival offers a wide range of craft, technical, identity and special honours. How and when a work is considered for them — and what further programmes and opportunities are opened to it along the way — is decided by the festival and announced to entrants. Not every honour is given every edition; if nothing meets the festival's standard, it is not awarded.

1. By submitting, the entrant confirms that they have read and accepted these rules and are the owner of the work or an authorised legal representative.



2. Entries are accepted from every country and in any language. Films not in English must include clear English subtitles. Unless a section states otherwise, there is no restriction on genre, subject, style, premiere status or year of production.



3. The entrant must control all necessary rights for footage, music, sound, screenplay, performances, archive material, photographs and any AI-generated or third-party content. Responsibility for licensing, privacy and third-party claims remains with the entrant.



4. Submitted projects and viewing materials must remain accessible through Festhome until judging is complete. Broken links, incorrect passwords or inaccessible files may result in disqualification.



5. Work may be submitted through Festhome or any other platform officially used by the festival. Festhome may apply its own independent platform or file-handling service charge to filmmakers. Each work is judged in one section only. If the same work was entered in more than one section, the entrant may keep one and withdraw the others; otherwise the festival judges it in the one section it considers most suitable. The festival may offer additional awards, programmes, opportunities and services — including on its own website and platforms — under separate terms. These are optional and are not a condition of entry or Official Selection.



6. The jury evaluates originality, storytelling, direction, execution, visual language, sound and overall impact. Budget, equipment, reputation and country of production do not determine the result. Jury and selection decisions are final.



7. Official Selection, Nominee and Award Winner are separate statuses. Only projects formally granted a status by BGIFF may use the corresponding laurel, without misleading alteration.



8. Official Selection does not guarantee a public or online screening. The final programme is determined by the festival, and no complete work will be screened publicly without coordination with the rights holder.



9. Entrants permit BGIFF to use submitted posters, stills, synopsis, trailer or teaser and brief excerpts solely to promote and editorially present the programme, nominees and winners. Ownership is not transferred.



10. Music rights, including synchronisation and master rights, must be cleared. Selected projects may be asked for a cue sheet. Entrants remain responsible for claims arising from music in their work.



11. AI-related work must disclose the tools used and their role. Deceptive use, impersonation and non-consensual deepfakes are prohibited.



12. Underground Film entries must demonstrate an independent or unconventional vision, form, subject or production method; a low budget alone is not sufficient.



13. Screenplays should be submitted in English, or with a complete English translation, preferably as PDF files. Submission creates no production or representation obligation.



14. Photography entrants must own or license the submitted images and disclose AI-generated content. Documentary work may not use misleading manipulation, and obtaining any required consent from depicted people is the entrant's responsibility.



15. BGIFF may revoke a selection or award for false information, rights infringement, false ownership claims or threatening or abusive conduct. The festival may adjust dates, format or programme when necessary and will announce significant changes through its official channels. The festival may add, change, merge or withdraw categories, awards, programmes and services, and decide how works are considered for them, at its own discretion.


16. Privacy and email updates: BGIFF is organised by Amira Pictures, Amir Mahdi Morsali, Kantstraße 67, 10627 Berlin, Germany. We use submission data only to run the festival. If you answer "Yes" to "Festival news" in the submission form, we will email you about future BGIFF editions and other film festivals and events by Amira Pictures. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in every email or at info@bgiff.com. You have all rights under the GDPR, including access, correction, deletion and objection.