Jane Austen International Film Festival, Bath

Full Information Available Here.

This is a festival for independent filmmakers who produce works in the following genres: animation, art-house, comedy, documentary, drama: including historical/costume drama, experimental, extended shorts, horror, LGBTQ+ and music video. (Music videos should have an artistic or experimental flair)

The festival is named after Jane Austen because of her great storytelling and her connection to the city of Bath, England where the festival takes place. It’s not only historical and costume dramas we accept but all genres of short and feature films are welcome. We are looking for the most exciting and innovative storytelling, films that challenge and inspire audiences.
The Jane Austen International Film Festival is a competitive independent festival held annually in Jane Austen’s splendid Georgian city of Bath, England. We celebrate global independent filmmaking with ambitious programming, creating enriching screening experiences. During the festival we encourage networking and aim to give everyone an entertaining and enjoyable festival experience.

The Jane Austen International Film Festival is named after the famous English novelist Jane Austen (1775 – 1817) who resided for many years in the city of Bath and is known primarily for the major novels; Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

What sets us apart from most other film festivals is our dedication to view every film submitted from start to finish. We believe it is imperative to view films in their entirety in order to make a fair and careful selection during the nomination process.

All screenings will take place in the historical, grade II listed, Little Theatre Cinema, located in the centre of the Georgian city of Bath

Our aim is to provide not only a memorable cinematic experience for audiences but also an enriching festival event for independent filmmakers. We are looking for the most exciting and innovative storytelling in these different genres, films that challenge and inspire audiences. Our festival is more than just a screening space, it is an opportunity to meet like-minded people and help bridge the gap between audiences and film creators.

Our focus on short-form filmmaking stems from an appreciation of the unique position short-form storytelling occupies within the cinematic universe. These films are generally harder to access and have difficulties reaching larger audiences. However, their position outside of mainstream cinema and their abbreviated length allow the filmmakers more experimentation and artistic freedom.

The JAIFF selection committee is made up of international industry professionals and the festival founders. The festival judges are high standing industry professionals.

The maximum running time for Art-House, Animation, Experimental, Comedy, Drama and Horror film is 15 minutes.
There is a 5 minute time limit for music videos and up to 30 minute time limit for Documentaries. 16-30 minutes for extended short films.

Notifications for all nominated films will be announced via email, FilmFreeway, website and our social media on August 7th August 2023.

Filmmakers who are nominated, and whose films are part of the official selection for screening at our cinema, should provide a DCP version of their film on a USB stick. However, we are able to accept downloads for films in other formats such as MP4 and MOV. We can accept a DCP download for short films providing the file size is not excessive.
Digital downloads must be received by 28/08/2023.
DCP USB sticks must be received by 01/09/2023.

Award winners will be selected and announced at our festival gala award evening and online at social media outlets at a later time.

The awards will ONLY be given on the Gala Award Evening, each film should have its representative; producer, director, etc., present to receive an award.

The Jane Austen International Film Festival is held during the world famous Jane Austen Festival; 14th, 15th & 16th September, 2023.
Festival passes will be available to purchase from August 7th 2023.
You may wish to arrive in Bath some days before the Film Festival in order to enjoy some of the activities on offer.

We encourage all attendees to dress in Regency costume, particularly for the Gala Award evening. Costumes can be hired in advance and collected at the festival. If Regency costume isn’t for you then please dress in elegant evening attire.