Bainbridge Island Film Festival

The 2023 Bainbridge Island Film Festival will take place September 21-24th, 2023, on Bainbridge Island, Washington, a short ferry-ride from Seattle. With 21 feature films and over 40 shorts, BIFF will spotlight exciting new works from around the country and beyond, as well as championing works by regional artists and filmmakers of diverse backgrounds. A filmmaker-friendly festival, BIFF strives to give artists a welcoming and celebratory outlet for their work.

**50% off entry fees for Gold Members**

Awards & Prizes
Cash Prize Audience Awards for:

Best Fiction Feature
Best Nonfiction Feature

Best Fiction Short
Best Nonfiction Short
Best Animated Short
Best Midnight Short
Best Kitsap Short
Best Kitsap Youth Short
Rules & Terms
Dates and Programs
The Bainbridge Island Film Festival will take place September 21-24, 2023.

Films will be considered for inclusion in the following categories:

Feature Films (40min+)
Fiction Feature
Nonfiction Feature
Midnight Feature*
Animated Feature*
International Feature*
Olympic Feature (Regional)*
Opening Night Film*
Closing Night Film*

*Should be submitted in either FICTION or NONFICTION category

Short Films (under 40min)
Fiction Short
Nonfiction Short
Animated Short
Midnight Short
Olympic Short (Regional)
Kitsap Youth Short (Regional, Under 18)

Prizes
Cash prizes based on audience voting will be awarded in the following categories:

Fiction Feature
Nonfiction Feature
Fiction Short
Nonfiction Short
Animated Short
Midnight Short
Olympic Short (Regional)
Olympic Youth Short (Kitsap County, U18)

Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration, films must:
- have been completed after January 1, 2022.
- not have premiered at festivals before September, 2022.
- not be commercially or publicly available prior to screening at BIFF.
- be in their original language with English subtitles when applicable.

Fees:
All entry fees must accompany your submission.

We accept payment made only through FilmFreeway's payment system.

Entry fees are nonrefundable.

The following films are exempt from entry fees:

- Films made by filmmakers from Kitsap County.
- Films shot predominantly (50% or more) in Kitsap County.

Gold Members receive 50% discount on fees. (Surely you've spent enough money already on your films).

If Selected
Films:
- must be available to screen on DCP.
- must have all rights cleared.

Filmmakers:
- will be notified by August 18, 2023.
- are responsible for print shipment to the festival (return shipping provided by BIFF).
- must provide promotional materials in advance.

Promotional Usage
Participants agree that all materials related to their films (including footage that shall not exceed 3 minutes) may be used by the festival for purposes of information, advertisement, promotion, and in all media.

Print Liability
The Bainbridge Island Film Festival holds no responsibility for prints damaged upon arrival and may reject or replace the film in the Festival if this requirement is not met. The Festival will insure the safety of film prints only from the time of delivery to the Festival through the time the print is delivered to a shipping agent for return. In case of loss or damage to a print, the Festival must receive notification and independent verification immediately. The Festival’s obligation is limited to compensating the producer only for the cost of replacing the damaged tape(s)/ drive(s).

Print Shipping
Selected film prints must be received no later than 14 days prior to first screening date unless pre-approved by the Bainbridge Island Film Festival.

Prints will be returned to the submission contact within 10 days after the close of the festival, unless pre-arranged with the festival prior.