Napier Student Film Festival is a premier event that celebrates the creativity, innovation, and passion of student filmmakers from universities globally. This festival serves as a vibrant platform for student filmmakers to showcase their talents, share their unique stories, and connect with a diverse audience of peers, professionals, and cinema enthusiasts.
Submissions open on Monday 4 May 2026.
Highlights of the Festival
- Screenings of Student Films: The heart of the festival is the screening of an impressive lineup of short films, all created by the talented students of Edinburgh Napier and other universities around the world. Each film represents a unique voice and perspective, highlighting the diverse range of storytelling that students bring to the screen.
- Workshops and Masterclasses: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and masterclasses conducted by industry professionals, providing valuable insights and hands-on experience.
- Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions: Engaging panel discussions and Q&A sessions with filmmakers, critics, and industry experts offer a deeper understanding of the current trends and challenges in the film industry. These interactive sessions encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas, fostering a collaborative spirit among participants.
- Networking Opportunities: The festival creates a dynamic environment for networking, allowing students to connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators. Whether it's during a casual conversation between screenings or at a dedicated networking event, these connections can lead to future projects and career opportunities.
- Awards and Recognition: The festival culminates in an awards ceremony that recognizes outstanding achievements in various categories, such as Best Film, Best Director, etc. These accolades not only celebrate the hard work and dedication of the students but also inspire them to continue pursuing their filmmaking dreams.
RULES AND REGULATIONS ON FILM SUBMISSIONS
- The filmmaker must have been a student when the film was created.
- All films must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
- Any film made before 1st January 2024 has an automatic disqualification.
- Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out the copyright on their own materials.
- By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience. We may promote your film on our marketing channels based on the press kits you provide for us.
- We retain the right to change the dates and venue of the festival under special circumstances beyond our regular control. However, all filmmakers would be informed about any changes through our online platforms and sometimes via direct email.
- We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.
- Any technical issues with the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmaker(s). If at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in any language other than English), it will automatically be rejected. Please contact the festival team as soon as possible if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be sought.
- By submitting your work to us, you agree to our terms and conditions and to receiving marketing newsletters in the form of emails. We will never share your information with third parties.
- We do not promise screening fees.
- We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.
AWARDS AND PRIZES
- All selected films will be promoted on all our available marketing channels.
- The official selection will be carefully picked by our panel of expert judges.
- Official festival laurels for selected films will be made available to all filmmakers.
- All selected films will receive a digital award certification of selection.
- Trophies will be provided for the award winners of the various award categories, including but not limited to, Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, etc.
- Best jury mentions for other outstanding cinema achievements.
For queries, please contact filmfestival@napierstudents.com
Submissions open on Monday 4 May 2026.