Fantastic Fest

About Fantastic Fest

Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the US, championing challenging and thought-provoking cinema while celebrating new voices and new stories from filmmakers around the world. We collaborate with other festivals, archives, cinematheques, and individuals to spotlight lesser-known film regions and luminaries in an ongoing effort to expand the general knowledge and appreciation of cinema. Supporting film in its most provocative, ground-breaking, and under-seen forms is our all-consuming passion, giving audiences a chance to find new favorites and future genre classics in the process.

Awards this festival can qualify you for

• BIFA Best Film · Best British Independent Film

  In-person official selection at this BIFA Section A festival is sufficient (one Section A festival confers eligibility; the alternative is two Section B British festivals). No win required. Online-only screenings do not qualify. British independent film (BFI cultural test). 2026 window: 1 Nov 2025 to 30 Nov 2026.

• BIFA Short · Best British Short Film

  In-person official selection is sufficient; no win or competition placement required. BIFA Short Section A: one Section A festival confers eligibility. British production, under 40 minutes.

Fantastic Fest submission FAQ

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