Film Submissions
Thank you for considering submitting to Exit 6 Film Festival.
Now a staple on the UK short film festival circuit, Exit 6 is for filmmakers as well as film-lovers, and in 2026 will be celebrating our 11th edition.
.png)
THE FESTIVAL #EXIT627
Exit 6 Film Festival is an annual celebration of short films kicking off with an in-person screening showcase across one day at Vue cinema, and online via our festival portal the week before and the week following the live event.
As filmmakers ourselves, we know how important it is to share your work with new audiences, and to have the opportunity to share insights into how that work was brought to life. That's why we invite representatives of each selected film to take part in Q&A's online, and in person with those who are able to join us on the physical festival day.
DATES & DEADLINES
OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS:
27 July 2026
-
EARLYBIRD DEADLINE
21 October 2026
-
REGULAR DEADLINE:
12 MAY 2027
-
LATE DEADLINE:
16 JUNE 2027
-
NOTIFICATION DATE:
14 JULY 2027
-
MAIN EVENT
18 September 2027
RECOGNITION & REWARD
The Exit 6 judging panel will decide the Official Selection, plus the nominations for each of our special award categories, including those that will form the much-coveted Judges' 6 - the top films in contention to win Best Film.
Nominees for our special award categories - Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Performance and Best Editing - will be chosen from the entire Official Selection, and notified as such during the festival week.
Our winners are chosen by an incredible line-up of special guest judges tailored to each category.
In recent years, our panels have featured top industry talent, including Burn Gorman (Pacific Rim), Jeffrey Ford (Avengers: Endgame), Nanu Segal (The Levelling), Shelley Conn (Liar), James Callis (Slow Horses), Mark Towns (Saint Maud), David Rom (Ted Lasso), Benedict Spence (The End of the F*ing World), Ben Willbond (Ghosts), Angela Workman (The Zookeeper's Wife), and legendary cinematographer Dean Cundey (Jurassic Park).
You also have a say in who takes home a trophy! The Audience Choice Award puts the power in your hands. Every single film in the official selection is eligible, and festival ticket holders can cast their votes either in person on the day or via our online portal.
The big reveal happens live on stage during our awards after party, where all winners will be announced!
See full terms and submit exclusively via FilmFreeway
REVIEWS
"Exit 6 completely deserves the best review. Its heart is in exactly the right place - great films, and a festival atmosphere that is just fun...
It’s welcoming from before the festival even begins, with a party to celebrate the announcement, and then they bring that party atmosphere to Basingstoke.
Go to this festival now whilst it is at its coolest - this one will be a future biggy. Oh and make sure you book a hotel - it’s a blast!"
- Joe Warner
"Exit 6 have taken all the best bits of short film festivals and merged them into one.
Every part of the festival was very carefully considered, from the very warm welcome, the excellent programming and very useful lanyards!
A lovely touch from the Exit 6 team was that after each film was screened it was immediately followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. This gave everyone a chance to process and appreciate each short for its own merit.
All in all, this is an excellent film festival and one of our top festival experiences."
- Steven Boyle
