London Arthouse Film Festival (5)

The LAHFF Best Film Award celebrates exceptional feature-length productions that demonstrate excellence in storytelling, creativity and cinematic craft.

We welcome narrative feature films from around the world, across all genres and styles. Whether bold, thought-provoking or entertaining, we seek films that showcase originality, artistic vision and a meaningful connection with audiences.

Selected films will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: 60 minutes or longer.

AI Policy: Light use of AI as a production tool is permitted. Films where AI is the primary creative force should be submitted to the AI Films category

he LAHFF Best Documentary Award celebrates feature-length documentaries that inform, inspire and challenge audiences through compelling real-life storytelling.

We welcome documentaries from around the world that explore diverse subjects, cultures and perspectives. Whether investigative, observational, historical, environmental, social or personal, we are particularly interested in stories that highlight community initiatives, celebrate unsung heroes, and shine a light on individuals and organisations making a positive impact on society.

Selected documentaries will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: 40 minutes or longer.

AI Policy: Light use of AI as a production tool is permitted. Films where AI is the primary creative force should be submitted to the AI Films category.

The LAHFF Best Short Film Award celebrates outstanding short-form storytelling that demonstrates creativity, originality and cinematic excellence.

We welcome narrative short films from around the world, across all genres and styles. Whether drama, comedy, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, romance or experimental, we seek films that engage audiences through compelling stories, memorable characters and distinctive artistic vision.

Selected short films will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: Under 40 minutes.

AI Policy: Light use of AI as a production tool is permitted. Films where AI is the primary creative force should be submitted to the AI Films category.

The LAHFF Best Short Documentary Award celebrates outstanding short-form documentaries that capture real-life stories with authenticity, creativity and impact.

We welcome short documentaries from around the world that explore diverse subjects, cultures and perspectives. Whether investigative, observational, historical, environmental, social or personal, we are particularly interested in films that highlight community initiatives, celebrate unsung heroes, and give a voice to stories that deserve to be seen and heard.

Selected documentaries will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: Under 40 minutes.

AI Policy: Light use of AI as a production tool is permitted. Films where AI is the primary creative force should be submitted to the AI Films category.

The LAHFF Best AI Film Award celebrates innovative filmmaking that uses artificial intelligence as a significant creative tool in the development or production of the film.

We welcome both short and feature-length AI films from around the world, across all genres and styles. Whether AI has been used in writing, visual creation, animation, editing, sound, or as part of the creative process, we seek works that demonstrate originality, artistic vision and responsible innovation.

Selected films will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: Any duration.

The LAHFF Best Music Video Award celebrates outstanding visual storytelling that enhances and complements music through creativity, originality and artistic vision.

We welcome music videos from artists, filmmakers and production companies around the world, across all musical genres and styles. Whether narrative, performance-based, conceptual, experimental or animated, we seek works that demonstrate excellence in direction, cinematography, editing and the creative relationship between music and image.

Selected music videos will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: 15min.

The LAHFF Photography Award celebrates outstanding photographic storytelling, creativity and artistic vision.

We welcome photographers from around the world working across all genres, including documentary, portrait, street, landscape, wildlife, architecture, fine art, conceptual and experimental photography. Both single images and curated photo series are eligible, provided they demonstrate originality, technical excellence and a compelling visual narrative.

Selected works may be exhibited digitally or physically as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Submission Format: PDF portfolio or equivalent document.

Maximum Length: Up to 20 pages.

The LAHFF Best Animation Award celebrates excellence in animated filmmaking, recognising creativity, originality and outstanding visual storytelling.

We welcome animated films from around the world, including both short and feature-length productions, across all genres and techniques. Whether 2D, 3D, stop-motion, motion graphics, hand-drawn, experimental or hybrid animation, we seek works that demonstrate artistic vision, technical excellence and compelling storytelling.

Selected animated films will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: Any duration.

AI Policy: Light use of AI as a production tool is permitted. Films where AI is the primary creative force should be submitted to the AI Films category.

The LAHFF Best Experimental Film Award celebrates bold, innovative and boundary-pushing filmmaking that challenges conventional approaches to storytelling and cinematic expression.

We welcome experimental films from around the world, including both short and feature-length works, that explore new ideas, techniques and artistic forms. Whether abstract, avant-garde, essay film, hybrid, conceptual, immersive or cross-disciplinary, we seek films that demonstrate originality, creativity and a distinctive artistic vision.

Selected experimental films will be screened as part of the Official Festival Programme, with every Official Selection automatically nominated for the LAHFF Awards.

Running Time: Any duration.

AI Policy: Light use of AI as a production tool is permitted. Films where AI is the primary creative force should be submitted to the AI Films category.