Who We Are
Inspired by the idea of a cultural revival, we recognize that the digital revolution creates the conditions for a New Renaissance, opening a door for a different set of stories to be told.
Our mission
Film is a unique medium, and the New Renaissance Film Festival’s mission is to support and champion the best upcoming filmmakers and screenwriters in this new era, to fulfill their dream in telling their stories.
We focus on the ARTIST, on the STORY and on building an international COMMUNITY of inspiring artists and storytellers.
We are not interested in following current fashions or politically-motivated content. We seek out stories that are genuinely imaginative, emotional or life-affirming. Our passion is to tell great stories.
One of the UK’s top Film Festivals
NRFF was featured recently in the London METRO’s list of TOP UK FILM FESTIVALS among some very distinguished company, including Raindance and Aesthetica.
As of September 2016, we were ranked in the top 100 best reviewed film festivals on Film Freeway.
We have been privileged to screen world and UK premiers at our festival that went on to be nominated for the Oscars! We have also found that filmmakers, screenwriters and actors create new projects from meeting each other at the festival.
Inspiring Artists & Storytellers
The festival is organized by JAN HENDRIK VERSTRATEN and MASSIMO BARBATO who are themselves filmmakers and writers. They believe at the heart of every great film is a great story, one that will inspire an audience and hopefully help to shape culture in a positive way.
NRFF London has several categories for UK and International filmmakers and screenwriters, but very close to our hearts is the YOUNG TALENT AWARD. This is a special award for screenwriting, short films and acting that will be presented to young talent (18-24 years of age).
We screen around 120 features, narrative shorts, documentaries, animations and music videos over the course of the festival, finishing with an AWARDS CEREMONY. Running alongside the festival is a SCREENWRITING COMPETITION and a series of MASTERCLASSES by film industry experts and other networking opportunities.
NRFF London 2020
2020 will be our FIFTH year in London, a city known for its diversity and innovation in the creative arts.
Submissions via Film Freeway for 2020 will begin in late August 2019. Please read our guidelines (see below) and competition terms before doing so. The festival will take place in August 2020, and all contestants will be notified at least 6 weeks prior to the event.
It is our passion to not only provide a stage for our filmmakers but also to strengthen the film community in London and the UK, by building an engaged audience through social media, and links with industry professionals and local businesses.
For the latest festival news and special offers sign up for the NRFF Newsletter It’s FREE!
Competition terms
When and where does the NRFF take place?
The New Renaissance Film Festival takes place in London, England in August. A festival programme will be announced nearer the time, including venue details.
How can I submit?
You can submit your film ONLINE through FilmFreeway. FilmFreeway.com is a safe, one-stop shop for submitting to film festivals, and it’s free to join. Your work is only accessible to festivals that you submit to and can never be downloaded or shared without your permission. You always retain 100% of all rights to your intellectual property, and receive real-time submission status updates directly from the festivals you’ve entered.
Can I submit in any other way?
At the moment FilmFreeway is our major platform but we are considering new partners which may be added in the future.
What happens once I’ve submitted my film or my screenplay?
Once we have your information from FilmFreeway, your fee and your link to your online screener or your screenplay document, we will start the judging process. Please be patient – in most cases you won’t hear from us until after the very final deadline has passed. We will get back to all submitters as soon as possible.
How do you decide which films to show or which screenplays to award?
We will not simply select those films or writing that already have won an award. We hope to find new gems and discover excellent stories that move us, challenge us and above all inspire us. We realise this to be highly subjective, but we will definitely try to be open to a diversity of different voices and points of view.
After the judging process is complete, can I get any feedback?
The judges unfortunately cannot offer any feedback on unsuccessful entries.
Are there any age restrictions on submitting to the festival?
There are no age restrictions for submitting to the festival so everyone is welcome to enter. Work can therefore be entered on behalf of someone who is under 18 and it is your judgement call as to whether you think the work is suitable.
Can I alter my entry once it has been submitted?
No alterations can be made to submissions once they have been received.
Can I enter more than one film or one screenplay?
You may enter as many films as you like. You must purchase a separate entry fee for each film you submit, and you must also complete the online entry form separately for each film.
Is entry to the festival open to international entrants?
The festival is open to international submissions. We welcome submissions from all over the world and look forward to seeing a huge variety of entries.
Do you ever consider waiving fees?
Unfortunately we cannot offer any discounts or waive the submission fee. We will not review your work without it. We will not make any exceptions. All indie filmmakers struggle financially but if we waived the fee for every filmmaker who asked then we wouldn’t be able to provide this festival platform.
Do I need music/sound rights for my submission?
Yes. You are fully responsible for the clearance of all music or sound contained in your entry. You may be required to produce documentation at anytime. Find out more at:
BBC Film Network
The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers
Does my film have to have been produced this year?
We accept submissions of films produced in any year, but we will give preferred consideration to films produced after 1 August 2018.
Can I submit work which has been previously screened elsewhere?
Yes, entries can be sent which have previously been screened elsewhere, including films that have screened online, but please include information on previous screenings with your submission.
My film is not in English, do I have to provide English subtitles?
All dialogue in the film is required to either be dubbed in to English, or provide English subtitles. The only exception is with song lyrics, which do not have to be translated.
Does my film have to be a premiere?
No. But let us know if it is, as we can use this to promote the film if selected.
My film is online, will you still screen it?
We prefer it not to be online, but may still select it if we really like it.
Will New Renaissance Film Festival pay for me and/or my crew to come to the festival?
Sadly we can’t afford to fly filmmakers or screenwriters over for the festival.
Will you pay for my accommodation if I attend the festival?
No, we can’t afford to put you up either. We can advise you on accommodation though, if you wish. We are currently seeking for sponsorship to develop our hospitality budget.
Privacy Policy
Last update 4 September 2019
INTRODUCTION
We are the New Renaissance Film Festival London and this privacy policy provides information as to when and why we have or will collect personal data from you, and how we store and use it securely, in accordance with the GDPR
HOW WE COLLECT(ED) YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
We collect(ed) your email information when you submit(ed) a film or a script to us; sign(ed) up for our newsletter; or buy/bought tickets for any of our screenings.
WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT(ED)
We collect(ed) information that was necessary to contact you with results of your submissions; or to inform you of our upcoming festival deadlines and programmes; or to confirm your bookings for screenings. The information in our database is limited to emails.
WHY WE COLLECT(ED) YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND HOW WE USE IT
We use the information we hold about you for a number of purposes including to provide information you have asked for, to provide a service you have requested from us, to request additional information from you and to inform you of special offers and screening opportunities.
We keep your personal information as long as is necessary for the purposes set out above or until you unsubscribe. In any newsletter or mail out you will always be offered the opportunity to unsubscribe.
WE’LL NEVER SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH THIRD PARTIES
The New Renaissance Film Festival will not and has never shared, sold or otherwise make available your personal information to third parties.
YOUR DATA PROTECTION RIGHTS
You have certain rights under data protection laws in relation to the personal information we hold and are using. To exercise your rights, please use the contact details provided under the ‘Contact Us about your personal information’ section below.
Your rights include asking for a copy of the information we hold about you, having any inaccurate information we hold about you corrected, or to request that we stop emailing you. (The option to unsubscribe will always be evident on our mail-outs).
SECURITY OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA
The New Renaissance Film Festival is committed to keeping your data secure. We use a variety of procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorised access and use.
CHANGES TO THIS DATA PROTECTION NOTICE
We will keep this data protection notice under review and will let you know about any changes made to it by email. The latest version of this notice will always appear on this page.
CONTACT US ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL DATA
If you would like more information or would like to raise any queries, exercise your rights or make a complaint in relation to our use of your email address, you may contact us directly.