Frequently Asked Questions
General
- What is The London Iranian Festival?
London Iranian Film Festival is the first annual festival to present Iranian cinema in the UK. Film festivals that honour Iranian films are held across the globe and now the time has finally arrived for an Iranian Film festival to have a permanent home in the United Kingdom.
- When is the next festival?
15th–23rd November 2012
- What is the aim of the film festival?
London Iranian Film Festival aims to promote Iranian culture and heritage through the medium of cinema, and stimulate cultural diversity in the UK. It provides filmmakers with opportunities, creating a platform for their work. It also provides opportunities to audiences in London, giving them access to films which they would otherwise not see.
- Who runs the festival?
London Iranian Film Festival is organised by a non-political organisation, UKIFF, which aims to provide a platform for a celebration of Iranian cinema in the UK. The London Iranian Film Festival is directed by filmmaker Pejman Danaei.
- Who funds the festival?
London Iranian Film Festival is funded by two sources. The first is sponsorship from both individuals and organisations. The second source is money from fundraising events, such as film screenings. London Iranian Film Festival has no government funding.
- Who can attend the festival?
Most festival screenings and events are open to everyone, subject to the availability of tickets. Some of our events are free. Information on how to buy tickets on all other events can be found on our website.
- Where does the festival take place?
The festival takes place in different London venues. Last year we took events to six venues, including the Apollo cinema and Cine Lumiere at the French Institute. Details of the venues for each event will be announced on our website and Facebook page throughout the year.
- What is going on besides films?
As well as film screenings, the festival involves question and answer sessions, networking events, an opening ceremony and a press conference.
- How do I get tickets for events?
The event information on the website will have a link taking you to where you can buy tickets for each event.
- Do I need to book tickets before the event?
Yes, it is essential to book tickets for festival events. More information on tickets and where to book them can be found on our website, or follow us on Facebook for events updates.
- When will the festival programme be available?
The programme details for the 3rd London Iranian Film Festival will be available mid-October, around a month before the festival begins. Keep checking our website and Facebook page for details of all upcoming events, including our regular screenings throughout the year.
- Are the festival venues wheelchair accessible?
The London Iranian Film Festival and associated screenings and events take place in multiple London venues. Details for individual events, and contact details for venues, can be found on our website. Please contact individual venues regarding your specific access requirements.
- Is the seating at the venues reserved?
When booking tickets for our screenings, please refer to the individual venues for ticket and seating information.
- What language are the screenings in?
Submissions are open to all languages, though English subtitles or dubbing are a submission criteria. Last year’s films were in multiple languages, but those films not in English will either be dubbed into English, or have English subtitles.
- How can I contact UKIFF?
For general festival enquiries including submission enquiries, please email
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Please see the Contacts page of our website for more contact details regarding support, marketing and submissions.
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Submissions
- Who can apply?
Anybody can submit a film to the London Iranian Film Festival, providing their film meets all selection criteria. Both professional and amateur filmmakers are welcome to apply, and there are no age restrictions.
- When can I apply?
Submissions for the 3rd London Iranian Film Festival open on 3rd March 2012. Submission Deadlines for 2012 are as follows:
Deadline: 16th July 2012
- What do your different submission deadlines mean?
The date on the Early and Regular deadlines refers to the postmark date on your submission (when you posted it) and these submissions can be sent to our address in either London or Tehran. Submissions for the Late deadline should arrive at our London deadline by 16th July 2012.
- How do I apply?
To submit your film, you need to fill out the relevant application form and then post your DVD and press kit to our address in either London or Tehran.
- Why should I submit my film?
The point of the London Iranian Film Festival is to give filmmakers an opportunity to exhibit their work that they might not otherwise have. We are interested in seeing exciting new submissions from both up-and-coming and established filmmakers. In turn, we provide a platform for your work and an interested audience to enjoy it.
- Does it cost anything to submit my film?
There are currently no fees for submitting your film to the London Iranian Film Festival.
- What are the criteria for selection?
Along with meeting the other criteria including language and time (see below), films should include consistent Iranian elements such as an emphasis on Iranian culture and practices in the narrative of the film. Films need to have been produced after January 2006, and should be suitable for a general audience.
- Are international applications eligible?
Films from any country are eligible to apply for the London Iranian Film Festival, as long as they meet all other selection criteria.
- In what languages can I apply?
Films of any language are eligible for the London Iranian Film Festival, as long as the submission includes either English subtitles or is dubbed into English.
- What formats are you able to screen?
Film submissions will be accepted in any of the following formats:
DVD (PAL/NSTC)& blu Ray
- Are there any time restrictions for my film?
The running time eligibility is as follows:
Feature films must be longer than 60 minutes.
Documentary films cannot be longer than 3 hours.
Short films cannot be longer than 30 minutes.
Animation films cannot be longer than 120 minutes.
- Can I submit more than one film to the festival?
You are welcome to submit more than one film to the festival, but a maximum of 5 entries for each person will be accepted. An application form should be completed, and a press kit compiled, for each separate submission.
- Does my film have to be a premiere?
No, your film does not have to be a premiere, but there are certain advantages for premiere submissions. Premieres will have more chances of Q&A sessions being included, and could have more media exposure and accredited press members at the screening. There could also be an invitation to London for directors of premiere submissions. Films that have been previously broadcast on television, cable or internet prior to the festival are not eligible for submission, unless discussed and agreed with the festival submissions team.
- What should I include with my submission?
- Poster and/or DVD jacket (we recommend an A3 sized poster)
- Film synopsis in a brief, summarised paragraph
- Photo stills (2–4, 8x10cm, black and white or colour, depicting the actors or crew in production)
- Biography of the director with a headshot
- Biographies of cast and crew, or other contributors
- Trailer for your film to be no more than 1 minute in length
- My film is a work in progress, can I submit it?
Yes, please submit any works in progress to the early deadline, stating clearly on your submission that the film production is still in progress. Your original submission will be used for the selection process, and your final film should be in our London office by 18th August.
- Can I submit a project again if not selected the first time?
Yes, you can submit a film more than once, as long as it still meets all selection criteria and was produced since January 2008.
- What happens once I’ve submitted my film?
All submissions are watched by the festival team, who compile a shortlist. This list is then passed on to the London Iranian Film Festival Selection Committee, who decide which submissions will be screened publicly.
- How do you decide which films to show?
UKIFF is a non-political organisation which aims to provide a platform and an audience for Iranian cinema outside Iran. The Selection Committee is made up of well-respected filmmakers and artists, who will decide which films to screen publicly purely on the artistic value of the submissions.
- How many films are selected for the festival?
We do not have a set number of screenings as yet, this will depend on the length and category of all submissions. As a guide, last year we screened 35 films, lasting 27 hours in total.
- Are there festival awards?
The 3rd London Iranian Film Festival will be giving awards to directors in four different categories - Short Films, Feature Films, Documentary Films and Animation.
- Will my film/materials be returned to me?
Due to the high number of submissions, we cannot return any of your submission materials.
- My film was not selected for screening. Can you tell me why?
We receive hundreds of submissions to the festival and are therefore unable to provide answers about the individual selection process. As both the number and standard of submissions is high, if you are unsuccessful this year you are more than welcome to try again another year.
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Sponsorship
- Are you looking for sponsors?
The London Iranian Film Festival always welcomes potential offers of support from both individuals and business interested in sponsorship. To discuss sponsorship options, or for more information on sponsorship packages, please contact us on
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- How does sponsorship help the festival?
The London Iranian Film Festival is only able to continue its mission through the generosity of both individuals and companies. Sponsoring the London Iranian Film Festival enables us to continue hosting events and screenings, and the festival itself.
- How does sponsorship help the sponsor?
Sponsoring our festival offers a unique opportunity to all companies, creating numerous benefits to their brand and profitability, whilst also displaying a commitment to the ever diverse arts scene within the UK. You will be reaching a new audience and creating awareness of your brand at a national film event.
- Do you accept any donations?
We are currently unable to accept donations not linked to a sponsor.
- Who do I contact regarding sponsorship?
We have a selection of sponsorship packages available, or a package could be tailor-made to suit your company. If you are interested in sponsorship, or would like more information about sponsorship packages, please email us on
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.
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Support
- How can I support the festival?
The London Iranian Film Festival seeks to provide a cultural alternative to the film experience, celebrating and promoting the medium. Our mission is only made possible through receiving notable support. These include messages of public support which we can use both on our website and at our events.
- What kind of support are you looking for?
Previous supporters include the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and London Mayor Boris Johnson. If you think your message of support could be a valuable asset to our organisation, then we would love to hear from you.
- Who do I contact about supporting the festival?
If you are interested in becoming a supporter of our festival, or would like more information on the festival, please contact us on
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- Can I volunteer for the festival?
The festival is always looking for volunteers, both in the run up to the festival and during the festival itself. We have part-time and full-time volunteers of all backgrounds, in each of our ever-growing departments.
- Who do I contact about volunteering?
If you think you could be a valuable addition to our team, please send your CV/resume to
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and include a brief message about which part of the festival you are interested in.
- How do I sign up for your newsletter?
Please see the website to submit your email address to our newsletter mailing list. All you need is your email and your name, no further details will be required to start receiving our newsletter.
- Why should I sign up for your newsletter?
Our newsletter will provide monthly updates on the work we are doing at the London Iranian Film Festival. Signing up for the newsletter will keep you up to date on upcoming events and screenings, and how to get involved with the festival. The newsletter will also include news about Iranian film, and details of competitions where you could win free tickets to one of our screenings.
- How do I register on the website?
The log-in box at the right of the website has a link to register. You will then be asked to provide brief details and set your password.
- Why should I register on the website?
Registering on the website gives you multiple benefits. These include discounts on festival passes, invitations to our question and answer sessions and networking opportunities. More information can be found on the registration page of our website.
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Partnership
- Who partners the film festival?
Partners of the London Iranian Film Festival are those businesses with which we have a mutually beneficial agreement. For example, the venues that host our screenings are partners of the festival.
- What do you look for in potential partners?
Festival partners provide us with significant in-kind services. We engage in mutually agreed projects with our partners, for example organising events in their venues or developing prizes for competition winners. Partners are acknowledged for their services on our website.
- I am interested in partnering the film festival. How do I start?
If you think your organisation could make a good partner for the London Iranian Film Festival, please contact us on
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telling us more.
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