Open City Documentary Festival

About Open City Documentary Festival

Open City Documentary Festival is a London festival for creative documentary and non-fiction filmmakers.

Awards this festival can qualify you for

• BAFTA Short · British Short Film

  Screening in competition at Open City Documentary Festival qualifies a British short documentary for BAFTA Short Film consideration. No win required.

• BIFA Best Film · Best British Independent Film

  In-person official selection at this BIFA Section B festival counts toward eligibility (two Section B British festivals confer eligibility; one Section A festival is the alternative). 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 Documentary · Best British Documentary

  In-person official selection at this BIFA Section A festival qualifies a British independent documentary (BIFA docs use the same routes as features: one Section A festival, or two Section B British festivals). No win required. Online-only screenings do not qualify. 2026 window: 1 Nov 2025 to 30 Nov 2026.

• BIFA Short · Best British Short Film

  Short film must screen in an official competitive programme.

Open City Documentary Festival submission FAQ