Welcome to New
Renaissance Film
Festival
With over 10 years of experience in curating and
showcasing groundbreaking independent cinema, New
Renaissance Film Festival (NRFF) has built a reputation as
a trusted platform for filmmakers and screenwriters. We
understand the challenges that come with navigating the
film festival circuit. That’s why founders Jan Hendrik
Verstraten and Massimo Barbato have created three
specialised platforms that are designed to support,
elevate, and celebrate your creative work: NRFF London,
NRFF Dreamers of Dreams, and NRFF Emerging Talent.
Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned
storyteller, NRFF is the place where your vision can thrive. Our
mission is simple: To showcase the most innovative and
inspiring voices in independent cinema and storytelling, while
giving filmmakers and screenwriters the recognition and
opportunities they deserve.
Three vibrant
festival platforms
“It's a brilliant festival. One I will continue to submit to
throughout my filmmaking career.” Chris Overton, Oscar
Winning Director
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Seasonal
Focusing on specific film genres:
sci-fi, fantasy, experimental, art and
philosophy, music and dance.
April
For early stage filmmakers with real
talent.
NRFF London Presents:
Dreamers of Dreams 2025
30 April to 01 May
- Screenings: CloseUp Film Centre & Vimeo on Demand
Coming Soon!
Dreamers of Dreams returns for its 6th edition, with 45
quality independent films that explore science fiction,
fantasy, experimental themes, and the intersection of
art, music, dance, poetry, spirituality and philosophy.
- Programme and ticket information can be found below.
www
- At NRFF London, we bring together some of the world’s
most compelling independent films, offering a
prestigious platform for filmmakers to showcase their
work. From captivating narrative shorts, dance and
music videos, to thought-provoking features,
experimental film, animations and documentaries, our
carefully curated selection is designed to inspire and
challenge audiences.
NRFF London
- A World-Class Festival with £2,500 in Cash
Prizes
£2,500 Prize Fund for Emerging Talent – We actively
support new filmmakers by providing financial rewards to
help advance their careers.
Network and Connect – Our festival offers
masterclasses by industry experts, filmmaker Q&A
sessions, and exclusive networking events to help you
build lasting relationships. Many creative collaborations
have started at NRFF London.
A Platform for Global Recognition – With a spot in
FilmFreeway’s top 100 best-reviewed festivals, your work
will receive the attention it deserves.
NRFF London’s Emerging
Talent Awards sponsored
by the Saphira Group
Are you a talented debut director or an early-stage
filmmaker ready to make your mark on the industry? NRFF
London has a special category just for you! Sponsored by
Katie Partridge, CEO of the Saphira Group, we're
empowering the next generation of filmmakers and artists.
Previous winners and nominees have gone onto win major
international prizes or direct their first feature film.
The annual prize fund is currently £2,500 and we are
seeking to grow this sum. Our film festival is one of the few
to give back to emerging filmmakers.
“It's vital we support emerging filmmakers whose stories
inspire fresh perspectives." Katie Partridge, CEO, Saphira
Group
Joy Wilkinson
Joy won the Best Emerging Talent Award in
2021 for her evocative short film Ma’am, and
a £1,000 cash prize. Since then, she has
directed her debut feature:
7 Keys.
Andrew McGee
Andrew won an Emerging Talent cash prize
of £500 in 2024 for two exceptional sci-fi
shorts he wrote and directed:
First Sight and The Edenbound.
Bjorn Franklin & Johnny Marchetta
In 2023, Bjorn and Johnny won a £250
Emerging Talent cash prize and the Best
Director Award for their short film Fred.
They’ve since completed their debut feature:
Salvable.
- NRFF Dreamers of Dreams is our London platform
dedicated to films that explore science fiction, fantasy,
experimental themes, and the intersection of art,
spirituality and philosophy. This festival celebrates
filmmakers who push the boundaries of reality and craft
stories that expand the imagination.
NRFF Dreamers of
Dreams
- For Visionaries and Storytellers of Tomorrow
A Curated Selection of Visionary Works – We are
looking for films that challenge the norm and push the
artistic envelope.
Inspiration and Innovation – This festival is an
opportunity to engage with like-minded filmmakers who
share a passion for storytelling that transcends the
ordinary.
An Opportunity to Stand Out – Whether you're an
artist, filmmaker, or dreamer, this is your platform to
shine.
- Are you ready to take your filmmaking career to the next
level? NRFF Emerging Talent is designed to showcase
and support talented artists like you. With multiple
awards on offer, it’s the perfect platform to gain
recognition and connect with industry professionals.
NRFF Emerging
Talent
- Your Path to Film Industry Success
Recognition and Prestige – Win coveted titles like
Finalist, Official Selection, and Winner, elevating your
status in the industry.
Boost Your Career – Use these prestigious awards as
stepping stones for further festival entries and marketing
opportunities.
Be Part of a Creative Community – Join a thriving
community of filmmakers who are shaping the future of
cinema.
Filmmaker Testimonials
“This festival truly supports creativity and fresh voices. We
highly recommend it to filmmakers seeking a professional,
inclusive platform and look forward to submitting future
projects!" Charles Meunier, Producer
“I can say with some confidence that New Renaissance
delivers an excellent festival experience and gives you
everything you want from a festival and more." Shezah
Salam, Writer-Director
“If you want a festival where the filmmaker is the star, this
is the one for you. The programming was bold and the
team didn't shy away from difficult subject matters."
Daniel Deville, Writer-Director
“New Renaissance Film Festival. The very name suggests
a festival that cultivates artistically minded filmmakers
and, with that, I am pleased to say that they absolutely live
up to their name!" Sheridan Seraphin, Writer-Director
Read More Here
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How will my film be judged?
At NRFF, we have a dedicated team of experienced curators who personally review every submission. Our focus is on storytelling, artistic
vision, and emotional impact, ensuring that every film is judged fairly.
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What opportunities will I have to network?
NRFF offers multiple opportunities for filmmakers to network, including filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, masterclasses with
industry experts, and exclusive networking events.
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Are cash prizes available?
Yes! NRFF London offers £2,500 in cash prizes for emerging talent, and has awarded over £10,000 since 2021. We are one of the few film
festivals to award cash prizes.
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How can NRFF help my career?
Many of our past winners and nominees have gone on to win international awards, secure distribution deals, and even receive Oscars. NRFF
provides not only recognition but also valuable industry connections.
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What sets NRFF apart from other festivals?
We have more than 10 years of experience in curation, personalised attention to every submission, and dedication to promoting new voices
in cinema make NRFF a festival where filmmakers can truly thrive. We are consistently in FilmFreeways’s Top 20 best reviewed film festivals.
When are the submission deadlines?
The submission deadlines vary by festival. For NRFF London submissions the closing date is usually in August. Check our submission page
for more details on each platform, and for other terms and conditions.
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FAQ - Your Questions
Answered
NRFF
Gallery
Join the Legacy -
Submit your project
to NRFF today!
linktr.ee/newrenaissancefilmfestival
nrfflondon@gmail.com