UCW is proud to announce that the Dirigo Film Festival is returning for its 11th year! Entries are now open for filmmakers to submit their films. Films must be a maximum of length of 15 minutes and must’ve been completed while you are studying in an educational institution. Every genre is welcome! Submit your film by clicking here!
We would like to invite you to join us at Arnolfini in Bristol, Wednesday 29th January 2025 at 7pm. Dirigo aims to inspire and showcase the creativity of student filmmakers worldwide. It is an open festival with no set boundaries; we actively encourage new styles, voices and direction.
Reserve your free ticket at: Dirigo: 11th International Student Film Festival – Arnolfini
This festival is a chance for our BA (Hons) Film and Media Arts Production students to get a taste of running and being at the heart of an industry-standard film festival. This practical, project-based course offers students the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and professional, skills specialising in a range of practices across Film, Photography, Audio and Media Arts. Underpinned by theoretical knowledge and with access to industry standard equipment and studios, students will build their portfolios and showcase their work in preparation for freelance work and employment in the creative industries.
Hundreds of films from around the UK and around the world are curated by the students to be showcased, with the best films winning prizes. This year’s categories are below:
- Best International Film
- Best UK Film
- Best Animated Film
- Best of South West
- Young Filmmakers Award (18s and Under)
Read all about last year’s festival, and see our award winners and runners up by clicking here.
View this year’s trailer below!
We caught up with Festival Director Georgia for a Q & A about this year’s festival!
How does the Dirigo Film Festival support emerging talent?
Dirigo supports emerging talent by taking submissions for different categories, such as international films, young filmmakers and also an animation category. Taking submissions worldwide means that filmmakers can learn about different cultures and expand their worldview in their filmmaking. Allowing younger filmmakers to submit their films means that children try something that is not usually taught in school curriculums. This can allow younger students to develop a passion for filmmaking!
Why should filmmakers submit their pieces to Dirigo?
Filmmakers should submit their films to Dirigo because it gives them a chance to be seen by the world! It’s always good to get your films seen and heard as an upcoming filmmaker because it gets your name out there! Dirigo is also a really good evening to connect with other filmmakers and make contacts.
What is your favourite part of the Dirigo Film Festival?
My favourite part of producing the festival is watching the submissions, I love watching them as they come in as they are all amazing films and it’s so nice to see upcoming filmmakers’ amazing projects. On the night though, I love talking to new people and making new contacts. Meeting the filmmakers is a real treat, and helping them get their films out there is worth all the hard work when I get to meet them.
