Independent filmmakers from anywhere in the world can have their films considered for major awards by submitting to festivals that are officially recognised for qualification.
Short Films and Short Documentary Films
Oscar Qualifying short films and short documentary films qualify for major awards by winning at recognized qualifying festivals.
These festivals are officially accredited for:
- the Academy Awards (Oscars)
- the BAFTA Awards
- the Goya Awards
For major awards, a short film or short documentary is officially defined as 40 minutes or less, including credits.
Festivals often apply their own programming limits, so it is always important to check the length requirements directly with each festival.
A short film becomes qualified when it wins the specific award designated for qualification at that festival.
Once a short film is qualified, it can be submitted directly to the relevant awards body, such as the Academy for the Oscars, BAFTA for the BAFTA Awards, or the Spanish Academy for the Goya Awards.
In simple terms: you win the qualifying award, and you can submit your film directly to the awards body.
Feature Films
Feature films are submitted by their respective countries. Each country selects the film it chooses to put forward as its official submission.
A feature film is generally defined as longer than 40 minutes, including credits.
Because of this, feature films focus on building recognition and visibility through festivals and premieres.
Premieres and Recognition
Premieres shape where and how a feature film can screen.
- World premiere
The first public screening of the film anywhere in the world. - International premiere
The first screening of the film outside its country of origin. - Regional premiere
The first screening of the film within a specific region, such as Europe, North America, or Asia. - Local or national premieres
Screenings within a country or city after earlier premieres.
Countries look at how a film performs internationally when deciding which film to submit. This includes festival selections, awards and wins, as well as the attention and conversation the film builds during its festival run.
Strong results at A-list and accredited festivals, combined with visibility and buzz around the film, make it more likely that a country will select it as its official submission.