The Red London International Festival team

Welcome to the realm of independent cinema at the Red London International Festival, where there are no strict rules or formats, and where vision is more important than budget. Here, you will find the vibrant energy of filmmakers who speak their own unique language about what really matters.

Location: The Moustache Bar

This is where debut directors and masters, actors, screenwriters, artists — everyone for whom cinema is more than just a profession — come together. For us, cinema is a way of perceiving and reflecting the world, a way of leaving our mark on the world. Our festival creates a space for open dialogue and bold experimentation: from intimate stories to daring visual experiments.

The festival does not divide stories into big and small, ‘correct’ and ‘too bold.’ It brings together different voices to show how multifaceted cinema can be when it is honest and free. Each film is an attempt to see the world in its own way, and the festival is an opportunity to bring these different perspectives together so that everyone can reveal themselves to the world.

Awards

At the Red London International Festival, through our awards, we say to the filmmakers: we heard your story, it touched us and stayed with us. Each nomination reflects different facets of independent cinema, from strong acting to bold experimentation with narrative form. We celebrate not only the result, but also the process of making the film, every facet and every element of the film: the work of the actors, cinematographers, screenwriters, artists and everyone who puts their heart and soul into cinema.

Red Flame Award (Grand Prize of the Festival)

For the film that became the heart of the festival — bold, honest and independent.

Best Performance (Male Role) and Best Performance (Female Role)

This award is for the power of presence on screen. When an actor doesn't just play a role, but becomes a person you believe in unconditionally. For those who can hold your attention with a single intonation or glance, who make the story come alive and feel real.

Best Supporting Role

This award is for those who don't appear in every frame, but make the film whole and real. When a supporting character does not fade into the background, but on the contrary, helps the main characters to reveal themselves and becomes an important element of the story.

Best Ensemble Cast

This award is about the chemistry between people on screen. When actors do not just play alongside each other, but together create the unified breath of the film. Their energies intertwine, creating a sense of a cohesive world in which each character is indispensable.

Breakthrough Actor

This award is about that rare feeling when you meet a new face and realise that you are looking at a talent destined to become a big name. For those first steps that immediately become noticeable and significant.

Best Director

This award is for those who know how to bring together dozens of elements: script, actors, lighting, music, atmosphere. For those who don't just shoot a film, but create their own world in which the viewer feels the author's breath and his view of life.

Outstanding Cinematography

This is the ‘eyes’ of the film, through which we perceive the atmosphere of the film from the very first frames. For the colour and movement of the camera, which accurately convey the artistic intent.

Best Editing

Editing is a full-fledged tool of visual storytelling. We evaluate films that contribute to the emotional impact, narrative and rhythm of the film, how it controls the viewer's attention (the trajectory of the gaze) and how it works with the two-dimensional space of the screen.

Best Colour in Film

Colour influences our perception of a film, and a properly processed image can evoke certain feelings in the viewer. That is why we value maestros who are able to skilfully use colour as a tool to influence the audience's emotions.

Best Sound Design

For sound that makes the image tangible. For a soundtrack that enhances the frame and gives you goosebumps.

Best Original Score

For music that becomes another character in the film. In this category, we evaluate films for which original musical compositions were created.

Best Costume & Makeup

For costumes and makeup that help us believe in the story. That convey the time, situation, and feelings of the character in the frame.

Best Visual Effects

We appreciate any manifestation of creativity, new vision or use of unusual techniques. Especially if they are used harmoniously in the filming of a film. Today, interesting visual effects can be created manually or with the help of artificial intelligence. And we want to highlight the visual artists who use new colours in the creation of a film.

Best Drama

For drama that goes straight to the heart.

Best Comedy

For laughter — honest, clever, silly, sincere and lively.

Best Thriller

For a film where the tension lasts until the very last second.

Best Horror

For the ability to scare you so much that you want to keep watching through your fingers.

Best Documentary

For a documentary film that changes your perception, forcing the viewer to follow the thought behind the actions in the film.

Best Short Film

For a short film that contains an entire universe.

Best Experimental Film

For the bold search for a new language. Here we highlight any fresh ideas.

Best Animation

For interesting, visually pleasing animation. We highlight animation with an interesting visual language, well-developed characters and background.

Best Short Screenplay and Best Feature Screenplay

For a competent foundation for the film, well-developed dialogue, characters and scenes. We particularly value a dramatically constructed story.

Audience Choice Award

The audience's choice is the most honest and emotional.

Critics' Choice

The critics' choice is for films that will go down in history.

Rules

Rules for participation in the Red London International Festival

1. Independent films from around the world are accepted for participation.

2. The film can be of any genre — drama, comedy, documentary, experimental cinema, animation.

3. Running time: short film — up to 40 minutes, feature film — 40 minutes and above.

4. Production date: films completed no earlier than 2023 are accepted.

5. Works must be submitted with English subtitles (mandatory, even if the film is in English).

6. Each author may submit several films, but each must be submitted as a separate application.

7. Only films for which the applicant owns the rights may participate in the competition.

8. We welcome world and national premieres, but this is not a requirement.

9. Applications are only accepted through the festival's official platform.

10. A poster, trailer (if available) and a brief description of the film must be attached to the application.

11. The festival reserves the right to use stills, trailers and posters for promotional purposes.

12. The selection of films is carried out by the festival's artistic committee. The committee's decision is final and not subject to discussion.

13. Selected films are screened in the festival's offline and/or online programme.

14. Films are screened exclusively within the framework of the festival and are not transferred to third parties.

15. Authors undertake not to withdraw their film after confirmation of participation.

16. All costs of shipping and preparing copies are borne by the participant.

17. Copies of films must be provided in HD quality (minimum 1080p).

18. In case of technical problems with the file, the organisers may request a new version.

19. The festival does not pay royalties for screenings of films within the programme.

20. By submitting an application, the author confirms their agreement with the festival rules.