LITTLE VENICE FILM FESTIVAL / FAQ

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Everything you need to know about Little Venice Film Festival, from screenings and accessibility to passes, submissions and more.

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General

  • The Little Venice Film Festival is an international film festival celebrating independent cinema from around the world, with a focus on bold storytelling, emerging voices, and culturally diverse perspectives.

  • Little Venice Film Festival takes place in London, bringing independent cinema to a variety of screening venues across the city.

    Our venues for the 22–28 April 2027 edition will be announced alongside the festival programme. Full venue addresses, accessibility information and directions will be provided for each screening.

  • The fourth edition of Little Venice Film Festival will take place from 22–28 April 2027 in London. Our full programme, screening venues and event times will be announced closer to the festival.

  • Little Venice Film Festival is an in-person festival, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for screenings, conversations and special events at venues across London.

    Our April 2027 edition is being planned as a physical festival. We have not announced an online screening programme, but any additional ways to participate will be shared through our website.

Films & Programming

  • Little Venice Film Festival celebrates independent cinema in all its forms, including narrative features, short films, documentaries and experimental filmmaking.

    Our programme brings together emerging and established filmmakers from around the world, with a particular commitment to underrepresented voices and perspectives.

    Dedicated festival strands celebrate disability, mental health, LGBTQ+ stories, female perspectives, students and younger audiences.

  • Absolutely. Little Venice Film Festival is an international festival, welcoming films and filmmakers from across the world.

    Our programme celebrates storytelling that crosses borders, cultures and perspectives, bringing international voices together with British independent cinema.

    We believe great filmmaking has no geographical boundaries, and we're committed to introducing audiences to stories they might not otherwise encounter.

  • Yes. Little Venice Film Festival has featured film premieres alongside established independent films and special screenings.

    We welcome new discoveries as well as opportunities for audiences to revisit exceptional filmmaking.

    Details of any premieres at our 22–28 April 2027 edition will be announced when the festival programme is confirmed.

  • Yes. Filmmaker conversations, Q&As and panel discussions are an important part of the Little Venice Film Festival experience.

    Where possible, we bring filmmakers, actors and industry professionals together with audiences to explore the stories, creative decisions and ideas behind the films.

    Not every screening includes a Q&A or panel. These events will be clearly identified in the April 2027 festival programme.

Submissions

  • Films can be submitted to Little Venice Film Festival through our official FilmFreeway page.

    We welcome submissions from the UK and internationally, across narrative features, documentaries, shorts and our dedicated festival strands.

    Before submitting, please review the eligibility requirements, category information, submission fees and festival terms on FilmFreeway.

    The final submission deadline for our April 2027 edition is 28 February 2027.

    For submission enquiries or requests for financial hardship assistance, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org.

  • Submissions for the 2027 Little Venice Film Festival opened on 19 March 2026.

    Our submission deadlines are:

    • Earlybird Deadline: 31 May 2026

    • Regular Deadline: 15 August 2026

    • Late / Final Deadline: 28 February 2027

    • Filmmaker Notification Date: 8 March 2027

    Submission fees vary depending on the category and deadline.

    For full details, eligibility requirements and to submit your film, visit our official FilmFreeway page.

  • Yes. Little Venice Film Festival charges submission fees for most categories, with rates varying according to the film category and submission deadline.

    Our Kids Showcase is free to enter, and discounted rates are available to eligible FilmFreeway Gold members.

    We recognise that submission costs can be a barrier, particularly for independent and emerging filmmakers. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please email team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org to request a fee waiver or concession. Requests are considered individually, and assistance is not guaranteed.

    Submission fees are non-refundable. Full pricing and conditions are available on our official FilmFreeway page.

  • Yes. Little Venice Film Festival welcomes works-in-progress for consideration, provided their unfinished status is clearly stated at the time of submission.

    Please indicate which elements are still being completed, such as editing, sound, colour grading or visual effects, and provide an estimated completion date where possible.

    If your film is selected, our programming team will confirm the requirements and deadline for submitting a final, screening-ready version.

  • Yes. All filmmakers who submit to Little Venice Film Festival will be notified of their submission status no later than 8 March 2027, whether or not their film has been selected.

    Notifications will be communicated through FilmFreeway, so please ensure your contact details are accurate and check your email regularly, including your spam folder.

    Please note that official selection does not automatically guarantee a public screening. Films may be selected for screening, considered for award nominations, or both. Filmmakers will be contacted separately regarding confirmed screenings, nominations and any additional requirements.

    Due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful entries.

Tickets & Passes

  • Tickets for Little Venice Film Festival screenings and events will be available through our official website once bookings open.

    Individual screening listings will provide ticket prices, venue information, screening times and booking links.

    Festival Passes offer additional ways to experience LVFF, with different benefits depending on the pass selected. Please review the individual pass descriptions and terms before purchasing.

    Full ticketing and booking information for 22–28 April 2027 will be announced alongside our festival programme.

  • Yes. We plan to offer individual screening tickets for the 22–28 April 2027 festival, alongside our range of Festival Passes.

    Single-screening tickets allow you to attend specific films and events without purchasing a Festival Pass.

    Ticket prices, availability and booking information will be announced when our festival programme is released.

    For those wishing to experience more of the festival, our Festival Passes offer a range of options and benefits.

  • Tickets and Festival Passes are generally non-refundable unless otherwise stated in the booking terms or required by applicable law.

    If a screening or event is cancelled, affected ticket holders will be contacted with information about the options available, including refunds where applicable.

    Please review the relevant booking terms before purchasing. For questions about an existing booking, contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org.

Filmmakers

  • Official selection does not automatically include a complimentary Festival Pass.

    We value the filmmakers who contribute to Little Venice Film Festival and aim to make it possible for them to attend their screenings wherever practicable.

    Complimentary screening tickets or invitations may be offered at the festival's discretion, subject to venue capacity and availability.

    Any arrangements for selected filmmakers, including guest tickets and access to other festival events, will be communicated individually ahead of the festival.

  • Little Venice Film Festival does not provide or fund travel, accommodation or associated expenses for filmmakers, cast, crew or guests attending the festival.

    All attendees are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation and related costs.

    We warmly welcome filmmakers from across the world and encourage those wishing to attend to make their arrangements independently.

  • Little Venice Film Festival is primarily an in-person event, with screenings and activities taking place at venues across London.

    We understand that international filmmakers may not always be able to attend in person. Where practical, we may arrange remote participation in selected Q&As, interviews or discussions.

    Remote participation is subject to technical capabilities, scheduling and festival arrangements and cannot be guaranteed.

    Please note that remote participation does not mean films will be available for online viewing.

Awards

  • Little Venice Film Festival celebrates outstanding independent filmmaking through a range of awards recognising creative achievement, storytelling and underrepresented perspectives.

    All officially selected films are eligible for award consideration. Films are evaluated on their artistic merit, originality, storytelling and achievements within their respective categories.

    Award nominations and winners are determined separately from the festival's screening programme. A film does not need to receive a public screening to be considered for an award.

    Nominees will be informed in advance, while winners will be announced at the LVFF Awards Ceremony on 28 April 2027.

  • No. Official selection recognises a film's inclusion in the Little Venice Film Festival's official selection, but it does not automatically mean the film has been nominated for or won an award.

    Films may subsequently receive nominations in one or more award categories, with winners chosen through the festival's judging process.

    Not every officially selected film receives a public screening, award nomination or award. These are separate decisions made by the festival.

    All officially selected filmmakers are welcome to acknowledge their selection using the appropriate LVFF Official Selection laurels.

  • No. Official selection recognises a film's inclusion in the Little Venice Film Festival's official selection, but it does not automatically mean the film has been nominated for or won an award.

    Films may subsequently receive nominations in one or more award categories, with winners chosen through the festival's judging process.

    Not every officially selected film receives a public screening, award nomination or award. These are separate decisions made by the festival.

    All officially selected filmmakers are welcome to acknowledge their selection using the appropriate LVFF Official Selection laurels.

  • Yes. Filmmakers are welcome to use official Little Venice Film Festival laurels to promote their films once their selection or award status has been formally confirmed.

    Please ensure you use the laurel appropriate to your film's recognition:

    • Official Selection — for films officially selected by LVFF.

    • Award Nominee — for films nominated in an award category.

    • Award Winner — for films that have won an LVFF award.

    Laurels must accurately represent the recognition received and should not be altered or used to imply an award or nomination that has not been granted.

    For assistance with official laurels, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org.

Volunteers & Partnerships

  • Yes. Volunteer opportunities are posted on the website prior to the festival.

  • Sponsorship and partnership inquiries can be submitted through the Contact page.

Accessibility & Policies

  • Accessibility is at the heart of Little Venice Film Festival. We are committed to making independent cinema welcoming and accessible to as many people as possible.

    We work with our screening venues to understand their accessibility arrangements and identify opportunities to support audiences with different needs.

    Accessibility information, including confirmed venue facilities and available screening accommodations, will be published alongside our April 2027 programme.

    If you have specific accessibility requirements, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org ahead of your visit. We'll be happy to discuss the arrangements available.

  • Yes. Captioning is a core part of Little Venice Film Festival's commitment to accessibility.

    Our policy is for all films screened at the festival to include captions, helping deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences enjoy independent cinema. Unlike standard subtitles, captions also communicate relevant sounds and other audio information.

    Films presented in languages other than English will also have English-language translation where required.

    Details of captioning, subtitles and any additional accessibility provisions will be provided in our April 2027 screening listings.

    Audio description and British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation are separate accessibility services and will be advertised where available.

  • Little Venice Film Festival is committed to making its screenings and events accessible to wheelchair users and audiences with mobility requirements.

    Accessibility facilities vary between venues. We aim to work with venues that offer step-free access, wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets wherever possible.

    Confirmed accessibility information for each venue will be published alongside our April 2027 programme, allowing audiences to plan their visits with confidence.

    If you have specific access requirements, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org before booking so we can help you identify suitable screenings and arrangements.

  • Little Venice Film Festival is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for audiences with a wide range of access needs.

    We aim to introduce relaxed screenings and additional accessibility support wherever resources and venue facilities allow. These may include adjusted lighting and sound levels, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and audio description.

    Availability will vary depending on the screening and venue. Any confirmed relaxed screenings or additional accessibility services will be clearly identified in our April 2027 programme.

    If you have specific access requirements, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org so we can discuss how best to support your visit.

getting involved

  • Accessibility is at the heart of Little Venice Film Festival. We are committed to making independent cinema welcoming and accessible to as many people as possible.

    We work with our screening venues to understand their accessibility arrangements and identify opportunities to support audiences with different needs.

    Accessibility information, including confirmed venue facilities and available screening accommodations, will be published alongside our April 2027 programme.

    If you have specific accessibility requirements, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org ahead of your visit. We'll be happy to discuss the arrangements available.

  • Yes. Captioning is a core part of Little Venice Film Festival's commitment to accessibility.

    Our policy is for all films screened at the festival to include captions, helping deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences enjoy independent cinema. Unlike standard subtitles, captions also communicate relevant sounds and other audio information.

    Films presented in languages other than English will also have English-language translation where required.

    Details of captioning, subtitles and any additional accessibility provisions will be provided in our April 2027 screening listings.

    Audio description and British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation are separate accessibility services and will be advertised where available.

  • Little Venice Film Festival is committed to making its screenings and events accessible to wheelchair users and audiences with mobility requirements.

    Accessibility facilities vary between venues. We aim to work with venues that offer step-free access, wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets wherever possible.

    Confirmed accessibility information for each venue will be published alongside our April 2027 programme, allowing audiences to plan their visits with confidence.

    If you have specific access requirements, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org before booking so we can help you identify suitable screenings and arrangements.

  • Little Venice Film Festival is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for audiences with a wide range of access needs.

    We aim to introduce relaxed screenings and additional accessibility support wherever resources and venue facilities allow. These may include adjusted lighting and sound levels, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation and audio description.

    Availability will vary depending on the screening and venue. Any confirmed relaxed screenings or additional accessibility services will be clearly identified in our April 2027 programme.

    If you have specific access requirements, please contact team@littlevenicefilmfestival.org so we can discuss how best to support your visit.

contact

  • For general inquiries, please use the contact form on littlevenicefilmfestival.org or email the festival team directly via the address listed on the site.