To submit your film to MADRIFF • Madrid Indie Film Festival, please use one of the submission platform links below. Be sure to choose the correct category for your film. We look forward to watching it!
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Here you’ll find the rules and terms that you agree to when submitting films, videos, and other materials to our festival.
Hello! We are MADRIFF • Madrid Indie Film Festival, an international film festival with screening events in sunny Madrid, Spain, and a member of IBERIFF • Iberia Indie Film Festivals. IBERIFF celebrates independent artists and showcases new productions from across the globe in Madrid (MADRIFF), Barcelona (BARCIFF), València (VALÈIFF), Seville (SEVIFF), Lisbon (LISBIFF), and Montpellier (MONTIFF). MADRIFF shares the mission of its associate festivals in supporting emerging talents, encouraging artistic exploration, fostering networking, promoting cultural exchange, engaging with the local community, and providing a platform to celebrate and showcase the work of independent filmmakers. Fiction, animation, documentary, and experimental films of any genre or subject are welcome!
Below are the rules and terms that you agree to when submitting films, videos, and other materials to our festival.
Submission
1.1 MADRIFF accepts Spanish and foreign films with Spanish or English subtitles, or without subtitles if the film is in Spanish or English.
1.2 Registration fees must be paid through our submission platforms at the time of submission, and they are non-refundable.
1.3 Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. An entry fee (as listed on the submission platforms) must accompany each film submission.
1.4 Films may be resubmitted, provided they were not previously selected.
1.5 MADRIFF is one of the film festivals organised by IBERIFF. Each IBERIFF festival — MADRIFF, BARCIFF, VALÈIFF, SEVIFF, LISBIFF, and MONTIFF — has its own independent selection process and jury. To participate in any of them, you must submit your film separately through their respective pages on the submission platforms.
1.6 Films must be submitted through our registration platforms and made available for viewing via these platforms. Postal submissions are not accepted.
1.7 We accept works from any country in the world, produced on or after 1 January 2024.
1.8 MADRIFF does not provide fee waivers, exemption codes or free registrations.
Categories:
2.1 All films must be submitted in digital format under the correct category, respecting the following length guidelines:
• Supershort (documentary, fiction, experimental): up to 5 minutes
• Short Film (documentary, fiction, experimental): up to 30 minutes
• Short Documentary: up to 30 minutes
• Short Animation: up to 30 minutes
• Featurette (animation, documentary, fiction): 30 to 60 minutes
• Feature Film: over 60 minutes
• Feature Documentary: over 60 minutes
• Music Video: up to 15 minutes
2.2 Films exceeding these durations may be disqualified or reassigned to a more suitable category at the festival’s discretion.
Official Selection • Awards
3.1 Every two months, a number of films from each category will be selected for competition.
3.2 The films selected for the competition will be announced on MADRIFF‘s social media platforms.
3.3 From the officially selected Supershorts, Short Films, Short Animations, Short Documentaries, and Music Videos, the festival will, at its discretion, choose certain works for public screenings, while Featurettes, Feature Films, and Feature Documentaries are viewed and evaluated privately by the curators and jury; screening selections are independent from the decisions determining the annual winners announced in November.
3.4 All selected films automatically compete in the additional categories Best Direction, Best Actress, and Best Actor, with no extra fee.
3.5 During the first week of November, the jury will announce the annual winners in each category, along with any honourable mentions. These will be invited to take part in the awards event in Madrid, Spain, later that month.
3.6 All winning films will receive the MADRIFF trophy; honourable mentions will receive a MADRIFF-IBERIFF certificate.
3.7 Submitting a film does not guarantee official selection.
Selection does not guarantee screening.
Screening does not guarantee an award.
3.8 The decisions of the MADRIFF selection committee and jury are final. Submission results will be communicated through our registration platforms. The winners will be announced on MADRIFF’s Instagram account, and it is the submitter’s responsibility to check the status of their submission.
3.9 MADRIFF does not provide feedback on the submitted films or the jury’s decisions.
Liability
4.1 MADRIFF does not publish films on its website or social media platforms.
4.2 MADRIFF does not cover fees, travel expenses, or screening rights.
4.3 MADRIFF may use images, trailers, and materials from your press kit for non-commercial promotional purposes on its website, social media, and screening events. These materials may be adapted to fit the festival’s visual identity.
4.4 The filmmaker is responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and releases for content used in the film, including but not limited to music, images, and talent.
4.5 MADRIFF is not responsible for any copyright infringement or unauthorised use.
4.6 By submitting a film, you agree to indemnify and hold MADRIFF harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees and court costs) arising from any claim related to copyrights, trademarks, credits, publicity, or the loss or damage of the materials submitted.
4.7 MADRIFF reserves the right to make changes to the festival’s structure, schedule, or settings without prior notice if necessary.
Disqualification
5.1 Failure to meet eligibility requirements or to provide the materials requested by the organisation may result in disqualification at any stage of the competition.
5.2 MADRIFF reserves the right to disqualify and remove a film from its listings if it becomes involved in legal disputes or any situation that could undermine the reputation of MADRIFF or any of the festivals within the IBERIFF network.
5.3 Disqualification does not entitle the sender to a refund of the registration fee.
5.4 MADRIFF does not refund the entry fee if a filmmaker decides to withdraw their film from the festival.
Acceptance of the Terms
6.1 Participation in MADRIFF • Madrid Indie Film Festival implies acceptance of these rules.
Here is some advice to help maximise the chances of your work being selected for our festivals (as well as others):
1) Read the rules and adhere to submission guidelines: Each festival has specific requirements for submission format, runtime, deadlines, etc. Follow them precisely to avoid disqualification.
2) Submit a polished cut: Ensure your film is fully completed, including sound design, colour correction, and editing. Avoid submitting a rough cut, unless previously approved by the curators.
3) Prepare a professional set of marketing materials: Have eye-catching posters and trailers that grab attention and make your film stand out visually.
4) Use subtitles: Even if the festival does not require them, subtitles make films accessible to a wider audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as non-native speakers of the film’s language.
5) Stay organised: Keep track of your submission deadlines, required materials, and responses for each festival. You may be missing good news in your spam folder!
6) Attend the screenings: Participate in the events, engage with people, and take part in film industry activities. Building relationships can lead to more opportunities for future projects.
7) Demonstrate your interest: If you plan to attend the festival in person, mention this in your cover letter. Showing your enthusiasm and commitment to engaging with the event can leave a positive impression on the organisers.
8) Invite your friends and family: Cultivating a community around your work can help build a loyal fan base, which is beneficial for future projects and screenings.
9) Engage with your audience: Prepare to actively connect with viewers during screenings by participating in discussions or Q&A sessions. Sharing insights about your film not only enhances the audience’s experience but also fosters a deeper appreciation for your work and encourages meaningful dialogue.
10) Reach out to us with any questions: If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact us. However, please remember to review our rules first, as the answers you seek may already be addressed there!
