New for 2027, BUFF will introduce a revenue participation and reporting model for selected feature films screening in person during the festival.
Participating filmmakers will receive 70% of the net box office from qualifying screenings after the cinema split, alongside a verified post-festival report outlining ticket sales and audience engagement data.
With 8 filmmakers receiving post-festival cash payouts in 2026, this initiative reflects BUFF’s growing commitment to helping independent filmmakers participate more directly in the value created by audience demand.
We believe independent cinema deserves more than visibility alone. It deserves sustainable pathways for films to be discovered, experienced, and meaningfully supported. Beyond Usual.
70% net box office participation
8 filmmaker payouts in 2026
Verified audience reporting
Selected in-person screenings
BUFF SUCCESS STORIES:
Adriel Leff: Won the Best Live Script award 3 times (2014, 2016, 2017)
Breakthrough moments: Lead director on Waterloo Road, Death in Paradise, Inside No.9, Cooper & Fry
Rock, Paper, Scissors: Premiered at BUFF 2024
Breakthrough moment: Won the BAFTA award for Best British Short Film in 2025
Two Black Boys in Paradise: Officially selected & nominated for best animation at BUFF 2025
Breakthrough moment: Won the BAFTA award for Best British Short Animation in 2026
Magid/Zafar: Officially selected at BUFF 2025 and shortlisted for Channel 4 broadcast by Iris Prize
Breakthrough moment: Won the BIFA award for Best British Short Film in 2025
BUFF Dates for your Diary
Date
Event / Deadline
June Monday 1 June – Tuesday 30 June
BIFA Entries open
Iris Prize LGBT+ Entries close
BUFF Film Freeway Early Bird Submissions Deadline
Wednesday 1 July Thursday 30 July Friday 31 July
AMAA Entries close
BUFF Film Freeway July Submissions Deadline
BIFA Early deadline – shorts & features (FREE)
Production budget under £1.5 million pounds
A £300 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is over £1.5 million pounds
Friday 14 August
BIFA Final deadline – shorts (£50 + VAT)
BIFA Final deadline for BFI Diversity Standards application – shorts
BIFA Deadline for receipt of online screeners – shorts
August Friday 21 August Sunday 30 August
Iris Prize LGBT+ Best British Shortlist Announcement
BIFA Late deadline – features
A £200 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is under £1.5 million pounds
A £500 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is over £1.5 million pounds
BUFF Film Freeway August Submissions Deadline
Wednesday 2 September Thursday 10 – Wednesday 16 September September
BIFA Final deadline – features
A £400 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is under £1.5 million pounds
A £900 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is over £1.5 million pounds
BIFA Final deadline for BFI Diversity Standards application – features
TIFF Toronto International Film Festival Market
Shadows of Beirut (UK Release, BUFF Studios)
Friday 11 September
BIFA Deadline for receipt of online screeners – features
Wednesday 30 September
BUFF Film Freeway September Submissions Deadline
Monday 12 – Sunday 18 October
Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival (Cardiff)
From Thursday 15 October Friday 16 October Friday 30 October Saturday 31 October
BIFA Longlist announcements
AMAA Notifications
BUFF Film Freeway October Submissions Deadline
AMAA Ceremony
Tuesday 3 November
BIFA Nominations announcement
Tuesday 10 – Sunday 15 November
AFM American Film Market
Tuesday 24 November Monday 30 November
BIFA Craft winners announcement
BUFF Film Freeway November Submissions Deadline
Sunday 6 December Wednesday 30 December Sunday 31 January
Wednesday 10 – Tuesday 16 February Sunday 14 February Monday 1 March Sunday 14 March Friday 2 – Sunday 4 April May May May
BIFA Ceremony
BUFF Film Freeway New Year Submissions Deadline
BUFF Film Freeway Final Month Submissions Deadline
EFM European Film Market (Berlin)
2027 EE BAFTA Film Awards Ceremony
BUFF Notifications
2027 Academy Awards Ceremony (Oscars)
Wellness Film Festival (Los Angeles)
BUFF’27 (Festival & Awards)
2027 EE BAFTA TV Awards Ceremony
Marche Du Film (Cannes)
1 June Monday 1 June – Tuesday 30 June
BIFA Entries open
Iris Prize LGBT+ Entries close
BUFF Film Freeway Early Bird Submissions Deadline
Wednesday 1 July
Thursday 30 July Friday 31 July
AMAA Entries close
BUFF Film Freeway July Submissions Deadline
BIFA Early deadline – shorts & *features (FREE) *Production budget under £1.5 million pounds
A £300 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is over £1.5 million pounds
Friday 14 August
August Friday 21 August
Sunday 30 August
BIFA Final deadline – shorts (£50 + VAT)
BIFA Final deadline for BFI Diversity Standards application – shorts
BIFA Deadline for receipt of online screeners – shorts
Iris Prize LGBT+ Best British Shortlist Announcement BIFA Late deadline – **features **A £200 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is under £1.5 million pounds **A £500 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is over £1.5 million pounds
BUFF Film Freeway August Submissions Deadline
Wednesday 2 September
Thursday 10 – Wednesday 16 September
September
Friday 11 September
Wednesday 30 September
BIFA Final deadline – ***features ***A £400 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is under £1.5 million pounds ***A £900 fee + VAT is applicable if production budget is over £1.5 million pounds
BIFA Final deadline for BFI Diversity Standards application – features
TIFF Toronto International Film Festival Market
Shadows of Beirut (UK Release, BUFF Studios)
BIFA Deadline for receipt of online screeners – features
BUFF Film Freeway September Submissions Deadline
Monday 12 – Sunday 18 October
From Thursday 15 October Friday 16 October Friday 30 October Saturday 31 October
Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival (Cardiff) BIFA Longlist announcements AMAA Notifications BUFF Film Freeway October Submissions Deadline AMAA Ceremony
Tuesday 3 November
Tuesday 10 – Sunday 15 November
Tuesday 24 November Monday 30 November
BIFA Nominations announcement AFM American Film Market BIFA Craft winners announcement BUFF Film Freeway November Submissions Deadline
Sunday 6 December Wednesday 30 December Sunday 31 January Wednesday 10 -Tuesday 16 February Sunday 14 February Monday 1 March Sunday 14 March Friday 2 – Sunday 4 April May May May
BIFA Ceremony BUFF Film Freeway New Year Submissions Deadline BUFF Film Freeway Final Month Submissions Deadline EFM European Film Market (Berlin) 2027 EE BAFTA Film Awards Ceremony BUFF Notifications 2027 Academy Awards Ceremony (Oscars) Wellness Film Festival (Los Angeles) BUFF’27 (Festival & Awards) 2027 EE BAFTA TV Awards Ceremony Marche Du Film (Cannes)
Synopsis: When Vidya, a 62 year old recently-widowed Indian woman sublets a room in her house to a 19 year old black gay man, she re-discovers her sense of self and her love for make up, despite complications from the family.
A LOUD PIECE OF ARMOUR
Synopsis: A Loud Piece of Armour follows Holly on a mission to rediscover the primal scream she once had as a child.
A YOUNG SOFIANE
Synopsis: On July 1, 2005, Sofiane Ouggad died in a scooter accident. His blood type, “A-,” suggested he was intoxicated; the young offender had caused the accident. A doubt remains: Sofiane’s blood type was “A+.” A mother’s fight to uncover the truth behind this incident.
AUTHORS OF THE ESTATE
Synopsis: In Northwest London, two estates take their story into their own hands, asking what if a council house can become a publishing house in this tale of ownership, creativity, and the power of words.
BALLYMAN
Synopsis: Ballyman follows Deji, a young Black man from South East London, as he traverses through the city hiding behind his (bally) balaclava
BODY OF OUR OWN
Synopsis: Amidst the vibrant chaos of South Asia, we meet three Hijra - Momo, Neshi and Jannat - as they explore friendship, freedom, and self-expression in a world that seeks to erase transgender women.
BURY YOUR GAYS
Synopsis: Actor Grace can’t understand why every role she lands ends in her untimely death—until a mysterious agent explains the ‘Bury Your Gays’ trope. Now, trapped in a genre-hopping battle for survival, Grace has one mission: do not die.
CAN'T FLOAT
Synopsis: A young Black man struggles to overcome his own fear of the water — and America's historical stereotypes of Black people — to learn to swim.
C.R.E.A.M
Synopsis: A modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” told entirely through the lyrics of the Wu-Tang Clan.
DIVINE INTERVENTION
Synopsis: To get the promotion of their dreams, a mischievous earth-bound angel must get two ex-best friends to finally admit their love to each other.
DYS IS ME
Synopsis: Alex is on the run. From something she doesn't want us to see. It's getting closer. Step into the unknown: A heart-pounding journey into the experience of dyspraxia.
ENDOLIFE
Synopsis: A short, hybrid documentary that combines the experiences of over 120 people with endometriosis into a single, scripted narrative.
EVERY TIME I SEE A YELLOW CAR
Synopsis: After a violent act shatters the lives of two brothers, Olly attempts to articulate a fractured and repressed truth, whilst his older brother Liam spirals between guilt and revenge.
FLOWN
Synopsis: Ijeoma is a seemingly happy and content woman until it becomes clear she is trapped in her small room for reasons unknown. A story about the experiences of Bipolar II disorder.
FROM SIDNEY, WITH LOVE
Synopsis: Convinced that she is the daughter of Sidney Poitier, a bold young girl runs away from her Yorkshire mining town to London in search of him.
GOOD CHOICE, JOSEPH
Synopsis: A man who feels paralysed by choice is sent into an existential spiral after finding a mysterious tape player that can tell the future.
HOW TO HIDE IT
Synopsis: A moment of weakness after a humiliating breakup leads a young Muslim woman to play a forbidden lottery ticket.
IN VIADI
Synopsis: IN VIADI is a journey back to oneself - an intimate yet profound act of reconnection.
IT COMES IN WAVES
Synopsis: A family of four escapes the genocide in Rwanda and lands in Ottawa. They quickly learn that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
LISA IS HERE
Synopsis: Struggling to find herself after leaving her homeland and the career of an actress, black Russian woman Lisa is working as a nanny and making attempts to become an actress in a foreign country.
MOLLY
Synopsis: A chance meeting at a launderette sparks an intense emotional intimacy between Vinnie and Ryan. As closeness blurs into desire, unspoken expectations surface, forcing them to confront what love demands before it fractures everything they have built.
RISE OF THE LEGION
Synopsis: Prepare to be enthralled, inspired, and swept away on a rhythmic journey unlike any other.“Rise of the Legion!” is a spellbinding documentary that dives deep into the heart and soul of The Spartan Legion Marching Band at Norfolk State University.
ROCKET FUEL
Synopsis: No money, shit-loads of time, and endless imagination - Lenny and Mullet are never bored wandering their estate looking for things to do. When they stumble across an abandoned car, they decide to turn it into a DIY spaceship.
SMALL GODS
Synopsis: While struggling to provide for her son, an indigenous single mother falls in love with a charismatic street performer. But when a crisis strikes, it threatens to destroy their young family.
SMILE SHINES WET
Synopsis: After a life-altering event, Takashi (70) leaves his hometown and relocates to Kyoto with his 7-year-old granddaughter Nayu, relying on the quiet help of a distant relative.
SPOOKY
Synopsis: A young child feels disconnected from her parents and drawn into themselves and technology, until an unexpected house guest shakes up their routine.
SQUEAKY BUM
Synopsis: On the day of the Euro's semi-final, a cocky teenage lad, Kyle, must confront grief and the shadow of his dad when a school puppet show hits too close to home.
SYNC
Synopsis: A promising teenage singer faces disappointment from his father when his voice breaks during puberty. Threatened by a melodious bird that captivates his father’s attention, he struggles to prove his worth and reclaim his place in the spotlight.
THE BRIDGE
Synopsis: The Bridge explores the untold story of Chelsea FC's devoted fan base of over 100 million people who have stood behind the club through every triumph and setback since 1905.
THE DECEMBER BLUES
Synopsis: Kofi, a freshly heartbroken Ghanaian boy, meets Bianca, a British girl visiting Accra for Detty December. But as the nights grow longer and Bianca’s return gets closer, they’re forced to face what love means when it comes with an expiration date.
THE DYING TRADE
Synopsis: Jack is a vegan activist. His father is a slaughterhouse worker. After years of avoiding the subject, Jack sets out to confront the unspoken tension between them.
THE ENGINEER
Synopsis: The remarkable story of Adrian Reynard, a pioneering force in motorsport engineering.
THE KANKURANG
Synopsis: After a family drama, Omar, a turbulent child, faces new responsibilities. He’ll have to meet the Kankurang to become a man and embrace adulthood.
THE LONG SPRING
Synopsis: Arron has taken his younger sister Kika on a journey to a better life, but his youthful optimism may have overlooked one of the darkest possibilities on the planet.
THE TRUTH ABOUT SPACE
Synopsis: A young man is released from prison and has to face up to the lie that his estranged daughter has been led to believe – that he was in space.
UGLY, AFRO HAIR
Synopsis: In a near-future society where altering natural hair is illegal, a Black woman must attend a state-mandated recovery group, Natural Hair Anonymous.
WEIGHT OF THE SOUL
Synopsis: A contemplative documentary that follows a young Ukrainian man whose life was split in two: before and after the call to duty.
WHAT WOULD MOTHER SAY?
Synopsis: Whilst vibing to reggaeton in the garden, mischievous Morty is about to light up her first joint—lifted straight from big sister Binky’s "secret stash." But when Binky catches her in the act, the sisters' long-running cold war erupts into open combat.
WHO ARE YOU, NANU?
Synopsis: After her Nanu’s (‘grandfather’ in Hindi) ceremonial cremation brings her to the Holy Ganges River in India, nine year-old oddball Isha befriends the phantom of her Nanu’s own rambunctious nine year-old self.
SHADOWS OF BEIRUT
Synopsis: A young woman decides to return to Beirut to see her estranged dying father after twenty five years. Between the struggle to forgive him and building up the courage to face him, she discovers the heart of her homeland through the people she meets.
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