Submissions for the 2010 Birds Eye View Film Festival are officially open and we would greatly appreciate it if you could put the word out to your filmmaking networks!

Have a good read of the the below - and for further details please check: ... or email Anissa Brach on submissions@birds-eye-view.co.uk

We are seeking short film submissions from women filmmakers from around the globe, to be part of an innovative and inspirational celebration of talent.

If you are able to feature our submissions information on your website, in newsletters, or if you could forward it to appropriate networks, that would be extremely helpful! Please do let us know what would be possible at your end. All events will be held at leading London film venues, including the BFI Southbank and the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA).

The Birds Eye View Film Festival 2010 will open with a special gala screening of short films on March 4th at the BFI Southbank. The rest of the festival will include retrospective screenings, live music, workshops and master-classes, feature and documentary screenings and Q&A’s with inspirational women in film.

Don't delay! Early bird deadline is Friday October 2nd, final deadline Friday November 6th.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q. I am a woman and I co-directed my film with a man, can I still submit?
A. Yes! Working in happy harmony (or creative conflict?!) is a good thing by us.

2. Q. My film was made in 1997, can I still submit?
A. No! We are only accepting films made in or after 2008.

3. Q. I am a female director but my film revolves heavily around the story of a man. Will you still consider the work?
A. Yes – Birds Eye View accepts films about any subject. (just as women are interested in and make films about all kinds of different things). We only ask that the film be directed by a woman.

4. Q. I am a woman and have written and produced a short film – however the film was directed by a man. Can I submit my film?
A. No. Birds Eye View is only accepting work that has been directed or co-directed by women. Sorry – we have to draw a line somewhere!

5. Q. I am a woman director and have just completed a music video. Do accept such work?
A. Yes – Birds Eye View accepts all genres of film.

6. Q. My film is only 2 minutes long – will you accept it?
A. Yes. We like short shorts. Shorts over 20 minutes are harder to programme, but when they’re really great, we do our best to make it work.

7. Q. How will I be notified that my film has been accepted?
A. We will e-mail you or call you if we’re interested in screening your film.

Q. Will you contact me if you decide not to screen my film?
A. No. We’d love to be able to write to everyone who submitted, but we don’t have resources for the extra administration involved, and it often doesn’t work, with incorrect emails and junk mail filters etc. This means that a lot of submissions will not hear back from us. If you want to be sure that your submission has reached us please include a stamped, self-addresses postcard that we can return to you.

8. Q. How many films can I submit?
A. As many as you like, but, each film must have its own submission form and entry fee.

9. Q. Can work be submitted even if it has been screened at other festivals?
A. Yes. Just let us know where it’s been screened on the application form, and please let us know where else you plan to screen it in 2009/2010. We may ask you for more information / an update if you make it to the shortlist.

10. Q. Why are you charging for submissions?
A. We don’t have any core funding for our work and rely heavily on volunteers. This is a labour of love for us, but we have to be able to cover the administrative costs of submissions. In actual fact, these submission fees are just a small contribution to our festival. Birds Eye View is a registered charity. Rest assured that no one is making a profit, or even getting paid their market rate.

11.Q. Does the film I submit have to be shot on 35mm?
A. No. The film submitted can be shot in any format.

12.Q. What should be included in the press pack?
A. A press pack should include, at the bare minimum, information about your film, biographies of any key people (particularly the writer/director), and high resolution images ~ 300dpi (if the images aren't of high enough quality we aren't able to use them in our promotions or media communications, which significantly affects media coverage).

Additional documents and information can included – short (50 word) and long (200 word) summaries, actor biogs, producer biog, director's statement, and any previous press cuttings or media quotes.