Jane Austen International Film Festival (4)

Festival start: 14 September 2023      Festival end: 16 September 2023

This is a festival for independent filmmakers who produce works in the following genres: animation, art-house, comedy, documentary, drama: including historical/costume drama, experimental, extended shorts, horror, LGBTQ+ and music video. (Music videos should have an artistic or experimental flair)

The festival is named after Jane Austen because of her great storytelling and her connection to the city of Bath, England where the festival takes place. It's not only historical and costume dramas we accept but all genres of short and feature films are welcome. We are looking for the most exciting and innovative storytelling, films that challenge and inspire audiences.
The Jane Austen International Film Festival is a competitive independent festival held annually in Jane Austen’s splendid Georgian city of Bath, England. We celebrate global independent filmmaking with ambitious programming, creating enriching screening experiences. During the festival we encourage networking and aim to give everyone an entertaining and enjoyable festival experience.

The Jane Austen International Film Festival is named after the famous English novelist Jane Austen (1775 – 1817) who resided for many years in the city of Bath and is known primarily for the major novels; Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

What sets us apart from most other film festivals is our dedication to view every film submitted from start to finish. We believe it is imperative to view films in their entirety in order to make a fair and careful selection during the nomination process.

All screenings will take place in the historical, grade II listed, Little Theatre Cinema, located in the centre of the Georgian city of Bath

Our aim is to provide not only a memorable cinematic experience for audiences but also an enriching festival event for independent filmmakers. We are looking for the most exciting and innovative storytelling in these different genres, films that challenge and inspire audiences. Our festival is more than just a screening space, it is an opportunity to meet like-minded people and help bridge the gap between audiences and film creators.

Our focus on short-form filmmaking stems from an appreciation of the unique position short-form storytelling occupies within the cinematic universe. These films are generally harder to access and have difficulties reaching larger audiences. However, their position outside of mainstream cinema and their abbreviated length allow the filmmakers more experimentation and artistic freedom.

The JAIFF selection committee is made up of international industry professionals and the festival founders. The festival judges are high standing industry professionals.

The maximum running time for Art-House, Animation, Experimental, Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ and Horror film is 15 minutes.

There is a 5 minute time limit for music videos.

Notifications for all nominated films will be announced via email, Festhome, website and our social media on August 7th August 2023.

Filmmakers who are nominated, and whose films are part of the official selection for screening at our cinema, should provide a DCP version of their film on a USB stick. However, we are able to accept downloads for films in other formats such as MP4 and MOV. We can accept a DCP download for short films providing the file size is not excessive.
Digital downloads must be received by 28/08/2023.
DCP USB sticks must be received by 01/09/2023.

Award winners will be selected and announced at our festival gala award evening and online at social media outlets at a later time.

The awards will ONLY be given on the Gala Award Evening, each film should have its representative; producer, director, etc., present to receive an award.


The Jane Austen International Film Festival is held during the world famous Jane Austen Festival; 14th, 15th & 16th September, 2023.
Festival passes will be available to purchase from August 7th 2023.
You may wish to arrive in Bath some days before the Film Festival in order to enjoy some of the activities on offer.

We encourage all attendees to dress in Regency costume, particularly for the Gala Award evening. Costumes can be hired in advance and collected at the festival. If Regency costume isn't for you then please dress in elegant evening attire.

Awards include certificates or trophies in the following categories:

ANIMATION
Best Animation
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Voice Actor (when applicable)
Best Director
Best Story


ART-HOUSE
Best Art-house film
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Actor (when applicable)
Best Director
Best Story


COMEDY
Best Comedy film
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Actor (when applicable)
Best Director
Best Story

DOCUMENTARY
Best Documentary
The Frederick Wiseman Award
Best Director
Best Original Concept
Best Soundtrack

DRAMA
Best Drama
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Actor
Best Director
Best Story


EXPERIMENTAL
Best Experimental Film
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Actor (when applicable)
Best Visualization
Best Director

LGBTQ+
Best LGBTQ+ film
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Actor (when applicable)
Best Director
Best Story

HORROR
The William Beckford Award
Best Horror
Best Soundtrack
Best Original Concept
Best Actor
Best Director
Best Story


MUSIC VIDEO
Best music video
Best artistic music video
Best Original Concept
Best Visualization
Best Director

Multiple films may be submitted but must be submitted separately.

Submission close 20 July 2023.

We do not accept peviously submitted films.

Notifications for all nominated films will be announced via email, Festhome, website and our social media on August 7th August 2023.

Nominees must confirm their participation via email to: jaiff@parazoom.com
by 1st September 2023.

All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles, where appropriate.

Films must have been produced during or after 2018, not earlier.

Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out any and all copyright issues.

By accepting a nomination, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience in the historical city of Bath, England.

The maximum running time for Art-House, Animation, Experimental, Historical/Costume Drama, LGBTQ+ and Gothic Horror films is 15 minutes.
There is a 5 minute time limit for music videos.

Nominated Films will be notified via email.
Award Winners will be chosen from the nominated entries.

If your film is selected, you may be required to provide promotional materials and one official film poster to bring along to the festival, and a digital copy, for online promotion. We may promote your film on social media, based on the press kits you provide us with.

We require a suitable representative to attend the festival for all successful entries. For example; the filmmaker, director or producer must attend the festival & screenings and if required, be willing to participate in a five minute Q & A session after the screening of their film. And also to participate in press & photo calls if necessary. We do not screen or officially announce winners without the attendance of one or more of the official film representatives at the festival.

The organizers and associated organizers reserve the right to alter, change, amend and/or cancel any part of the festival program. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through our online platforms.

We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has previously been made available online.

Digital downloads must be received by 28/08/2023.
DCP USB sticks must be received by 01/09/2023.
Further details will be made available to those selected for screening. Postage is the responsibility of the filmmaker. Films should be collected after the screenings.

Any technical issues with the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmaker. If, at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), it will be automatically rejected, without a refund.

Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process, and we will try to find a solution.

We cannot offer refunds once your film has been submitted.

Logline and synopsis should be included with all films and documentaries. Promotional materials will not be returned. However, it is your choice if you wish to collect your poster and any other items of yours at the closing of the festival.

Film entries may be submitted by any member of the filmmaking team who has the authority to do so.

Film Producers are responsible for insurance and shipment costs of their film.

Filmmakers attending the festival are responsible for travel, lodging, and all other expenses.

All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.

All film material will be handled with utmost care. However, neither the JAIFF staff nor supporting staff can assume responsibility for damage or loss of film DCP or other materials, en route or otherwise, during the course of the festival’s possession.

All stated information, eligibility, awards and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by The Jane Austen Independent Film Festival, without notice.

Selected films must acknowledge that The JAIFF reserves the right to promote the films on The JAIFFF website and social media using both images and video that you provide.

Filmmakers must purchace a VIP pass in order to attend.

By submitting to us, you agree to our rules and regulations. We will never sell your information to third parties.

All student films must provide their university and course details.
Thank you and good luck.

*Please note: It is not always possible, for various reasons, to screen all 'official selection' films at the festival. This does not in any way affect the judging process.