Awards & Rules

The Christmas Spirit Film Festival presents a week of festive cinema, music, and community events celebrating the stories and sounds of the Christmas season.

Across the festival, audiences can enjoy curated film screenings showcasing inspiring Christmas films from independent filmmakers around the world. Selected works explore themes of hope, faith, family, joy, and reflection — capturing what the season means across cultures and communities.

Alongside the screenings, the festival programme includes live musical performances, red-carpet moments, and special events designed to enhance the cinematic experience and create a warm, celebratory atmosphere.

Additional activities include masterclasses and drama workshops for children, offering opportunities for learning, creativity, and participation beyond the screen.

Whether attending a screening, enjoying festive music, or taking part in a workshop, the Christmas Spirit Film Festival offers a welcoming space to connect, celebrate, and experience the true spirit of Christmas.

Submission Fees

  • Short Films: £10–£20

  • Feature Films: £20–£35

  • Student Films: £5–£10

  • Song & Film: £10–£20

  • 1. Format
    - Submit via FilmFreeway secure screener, Vimeo link, or similar.
    - If selected, final screening copies must be provided in MP4 or MOV format.
    2. Language
    - Non English films must include English subtitles.
    3. Rights
    - Filmmakers must own all rights to their film, including music and visuals.
    - No copyrighted material without permission.
    4. Completion Date
    - Films completed within the last 3 years are eligible.
    5. Premiere Status
    - Premieres are welcome but not required.

  • Awards & Prizes

    Herewith detail of awards and prizes
    1. All selected films/movies regardless of the length shall receive branded certificates from Christmas Spirit Film Festival.

    2. Laurel badges for:
    • Official Selection
    • Winner
    • Nominee
    • Audience Choice

    3. Plaques for Core Award Categories.

    4. Promotion & Visibility for Core Award Categories on Christmas Spirt Film Festival website and across our social media platforms.

    5. 4 Special Awards:
    - Christmas Spirit Award
    For the film that best captures hope, joy, and the meaning of Christmas.

    - Heart of Christmas Award
    For emotional storytelling that uplifts and inspires.

    - Song & Film Excellence Award
    For outstanding use of music in a Christmas narrative.

    - Audience Choice Award
    For best public voter Christmas movie

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    Awards
    Selected films will compete for the following awards:

    - Best Christmas Film
    - Best Short Film
    - Best Director
    - Best Screenplay
    - Best Actor / Actress
    - Best Christmas Music Video
    - Best Song in a Christmas Film
    - Best Inspirational/Faith-based Film

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  • Rules & Terms

    GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION AND PARTICIPATION

    CHRISTMAS SPIRIT FILM FESTIVAL

    A Celebration of Song, Film & the True Spirit of Christmas

    The Christmas Spirit Film Festival welcomes filmmakers from around the world (national and international) to submit inspiring, uplifting, and heart warming Christmas films. We celebrate stories that capture the joy, hope, faith, and magic of the season — through both song and film.

    FESTIVAL THEME
    All submissions must reflect the essence of Christmas. We welcome films that explore themes such as love, family, generosity, redemption, faith, community, and the emotional warmth of the season.

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    CATEGORIES
    We accept submissions in the following categories:

    - Christmas Short Film (1–30 minutes)
    - Christmas Feature Film (31–120 minutes)
    - Song & Film Category (music videos, films centred around original Christmas songs)
    - Faith Based Christmas Film
    - Animated Christmas Film
    - Christmas Documentary / Docu Short
    - Student Christmas Film
    - International Christmas Film

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    JUDGING CRITERIA
    Films will be evaluated on:

    - Emotional impact
    - Storytelling quality
    - Creativity and originality
    - Alignment with Christmas themes
    - Cinematography and technical execution
    - Music integration (Song & Film category)
    - Inspirational or faith based resonance

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    NOTIFICATION
    - All filmmakers will be notified via email.
    - Selected films must confirm participation within 7 days.
    - The festival reserves the right to determine screening order and schedule.

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    TERMS & CONDITIONS
    - Submission fees are non refundable.
    - By submitting, filmmakers grant the festival permission to use clips, posters, and stills for promotional purposes.
    - The festival does not provide travel or accommodation.
    - All decisions by the selection committee are final.

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    OUR PROMISE
    The Christmas Spirit Film Festival is dedicated to honouring filmmakers with warmth, respect, and excellence. We honour stories that uplift the human spirit and bring the joy of Christmas to life through film and song.

  • - Early Bird Deadline: 28 February 2026
    - Regular Deadline: 30 April 2026
    - Late and Final Deadline: 31 July 2026

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