Big Fridge International Film Festival · 10–11 April 2027 · Curzon Soho, London
Now Accepting Submissions · 2027 Edition

Original Cinema. Meaningful Stories.

10–11 April 2027 Curzon Soho London
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A Letter from the Festival

Original cinema, meaningful stories, and the people who put them on screen.

Year after year we endeavour to support filmmakers in finding distribution and funding for their next venture — a place where first-time artists and seasoned creators are recognised by their community and championed by the industry.

Our weekend at the Curzon, Soho is built around the work itself. Award winners meet commissioners, distributors and producers who can take their films further — into cinemas, onto broadcasters, and across borders. Our judging panel consists of film industry professionals who have worked with Disney, Channel 4, Film4 and the BBC.

We have built an exceptional network of industry professionals who review every submission. Award winners are invited back the following month to our Industry Expo — an open-format networking event with executives from the country’s leading broadcasters and platforms.

There are countless success stories of filmmakers who have secured distribution after the festival, launching their work into the marketplace. We have the people and the skills to make that happen for you.

— The Big Fridge Selection Committee
25+
Award Categories
80+
UK Films Screened
9
Editions Hosted
100%
Filmmaker-First
The Official Selection

Awards & Categories

Twenty-five-plus prizes across three selections — international craft, the British selection, and genre — reviewed by our industry jury and considered across every relevant award.

I. The British Selection UK-Specific Awards
UK · 01Best UK ShortThe headline prize for British short-form cinema.
UK · 02Best UK Emerging DirectorFor a rising British director in command of the craft.
UK · 03Best UK AnimationFor British animation in any technique.
UK · 04Best UK DocumentaryFor British non-fiction storytelling.
UK · 05Best Performance in UK ShortFor an outstanding leading performance in a British short.
UK · 06Best Debut UK ShortFor a first short by a British filmmaker.
II. The International Selection 12 Prizes
No. 01Best Short FilmThe festival’s headline prize for short-form work under 40 minutes.
No. 02Best Super ShortFor films under five minutes that move us in a single breath.
No. 03Best Animated ShortHand-drawn, stop-motion, CGI — original animated storytelling.
No. 04Best Documentary ShortNon-fiction work that bears witness, investigates and illuminates.
No. 05Best Foreign LanguageOutstanding short cinema in any language other than English.
No. 06Best DirectorFor directorial vision and command of the craft.
No. 07Best ActorFor a leading male performance.
No. 08Best ActressFor a leading female performance.
No. 09Best WritingFor a screenplay that earns every word of its running time.
No. 10Best ScoreFor original music that carries the picture.
No. 11Best EditingFor a cut that finds the truth in the footage.
No. 12Best CinematographyFor images that earn their place in the dark.
III. The Genre Selection Form & Craft
G · 01Best Drama ShortFor short cinema rooted in dramatic storytelling.
G · 02Best Comedy ShortFor shorts that earn the laugh and the lift.
G · 03Best Thriller ShortFor tension, pace and a tightening grip.
G · 04Best Romance ShortFor the love story told in miniature.
G · 05Best Music VideoFor visual work commissioned to a song.
The Jury & The Industry

Reviewed by professionals who have worked with the world’s leading studios and broadcasters.

Every film entered is read by our selection committee and assessed by jurors with credits across feature film, broadcast and streaming.

BBC
Channel 4
Film4
ITV
Disney
The Weekend Programme

Two nights at the Curzon Soho, plus the Industry Expo in May.

Reel 01 · 10.04.27

Opening Night

Saturday 10 April 2027
  • 17:00 Welcome reception & drinks
  • 17:30 First screening block
  • 19:00 Q&A with selected directors
  • 20:30 Closing of the evening
Reel 02 · 11.04.27

Awards Night

Sunday 11 April 2027
  • 17:00 Filmmaker reception
  • 17:30 Final screening block
  • 19:30 Awards ceremony & presentations
  • 20:30 Festival close
Reel 03 · May 2027

Industry Expo

May 2027 · London
  • — Open-format roundtables
  • — Network with commissioners
  • — Distribution conversations
  • — Strictly for festival award winners
The Venue

Curzon Soho — arthouse cinema in the heart of London.

For more than thirty years, the Curzon Soho has been the spiritual home of independent cinema in the United Kingdom. Big Fridge presents two evenings of selected work in its principal screen, with filmmakers, jurors and industry guests gathered in the cafe-bar between screenings.

99 SHAFTESBURY AVE · LONDON W1D 5DY

The Industry Expo

One month later, award winners meet the industry.

Following the festival, our award winners are invited to the Big Fridge Industry Expo — an open-format roundtable and networking event in central London with execs from BBC, ITV and Starlight Runner. The room is built for one purpose: opening doors to distribution.

MAY 2027 · LONDON · BY INVITATION

From the Floor

Scenes from past editions.

Entries Open

Submit your film to the 2027 Edition.

Films of forty minutes or under are eligible across all twelve categories. Submissions are accepted exclusively through FilmFreeway. Every entry is reviewed by our selection committee.

Festival Dates10–11 April 2027
Industry ExpoMay 2027
Maximum Runtime40 Minutes
Submit ViaFilmFreeway
Submit to FilmFreeway Reviewed by a jury with broadcast & studio credits