Reimagining Film Festivals: Why CenterFrame Is Making Its Boldest Move Yet

At CenterFrame, our mission has always been clear: to support filmmakers and give them fairer access to opportunities. We believe that filmmaking is not just about making work, it’s about being seen, connecting with peers, and striving towards a sustainable career (however difficult that may seem at times). That’s why bringing film festivals onto CenterFrame felt like a natural and important next step.

Film festivals play a vital role in a filmmaker’s journey. They are often the first place where new voices are recognised, where work is validated by audiences, and where careers begin to open up. A festival selection can be the difference between staying in the margins and being propelled into the wider industry. Festivals create bridges to distribution, to funding, to mentorship, and to new collaborations. They give filmmakers the credibility that can turn passion projects into professional opportunities.

For us, hosting festivals on CenterFrame sits alongside the other initiatives we’ve been building, such as Meet the Execs and the Industry Showcase. All of these projects share a common aim: to help filmmakers progress in their careers by connecting them directly with the industry in meaningful ways. By integrating festivals into the CenterFrame community, we’re putting those opportunities directly where filmmakers already are — in the same space where they share work, collaborate with peers, and support each other.

So why did we make this move? The answer is simple: because festivals matter. They are central to the filmmaking ecosystem, and we want to play our part in bringing them closer to the filmmakers. We also recognised that the tools filmmakers and festivals had been relying on were no longer good enough. Submission platforms had become transactional, expensive, and disconnected from the communities they were meant to serve. Too often, filmmakers describe the process as sending their film into a black box — paying high fees without feeling part of a conversation, and festivals getting lost in vast databases, competing for attention with thousands of others.

We think we can change that. Festivals are an area of extreme interest for us at CenterFrame, and what we’ve launched now is just the beginning. Our commitment is to keep developing the festival feature set over time, making the process better for both filmmakers and festival organisers. Our goal is simple: to make CenterFrame the most effective way for filmmakers to engage with festivals, and for festivals to engage with filmmakers.

That commitment has already been reflected in the partners we’ve brought on board. We’re proud to launch with nine respected and diverse festivals: the UK Film Festival, Bournemouth International Film Festival, Bradford International Film Festival, Film Bath, Soho London Independent Film Festival, Brighton Rocks, DragonFly International Film Festival, and Earls Court International Film Festival. These partners represent the richness of the UK festival ecosystem — from long-established showcases to innovative grassroots events — and their willingness to join us from the outset is proof of concept for what we’re building together.

One of the most important things to highlight is how these festivals have approached submissions on CenterFrame. Most have chosen to list their entries at lower prices than on other platforms. This reflects a shared understanding: filmmakers are facing extremely tough times, and keeping submission fees low is one way festivals can support them. For us, this is about more than price. It’s about a collective belief that accessibility should outweigh profit, particularly at a time when so many filmmakers are struggling just to keep creating.

For filmmakers, the experience is equally different. Submissions don’t happen in isolation, disappearing into a database. Instead, they sit alongside everything else happening in the community: filmmakers showcasing their work, collaborating on projects, and sharing advice. Festivals feel like a living part of that ecosystem rather than a distant gatekeeper. And because CenterFrame has global reach, festivals can attract filmmakers from all over the world while still celebrating the unique culture of their own local communities.

Quality matters too. Filmmakers on CenterFrame are already invested in craft and collaboration, which means festivals gain access to submissions that are aligned with their values and standards. And on a practical level, the submission process is streamlined, with centralised reporting and communication tools that make it easier for both sides. For our partners, this has already been a clear advantage.

Ultimately, our aim is sustainability — for both filmmakers and festivals. By keeping fees fair, building trust into the process, and embedding festivals within a creative community, we’re helping to create a healthier independent film ecosystem. We believe this approach can build resilience at a time when both filmmakers and festivals face significant challenges.

This is just the start. As we continue to evolve, we will keep building features that strengthen the connection between filmmakers and festivals, and make the experience more rewarding for both.