The National Competition has two series:
→ series for max. 30 minute animation, documentary, fiction and experimental films (all max. 30 minute films will also automatically take part in the International Competition selection)
→ series for over 30 minute animation, documentary, fiction and experimental films. Fiction films can not be over 60 minutes in length.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Finnish director OR Finnish producer/co-producer
- all genres (animation, fiction, documentary, experimental)
- completed 1 January 2024 or later
- completed productions only (working copies accepted ONLY if agreed with the festival before submitting)
- film can only be submitted once
- premiere not required
- accepted screening formats: DCP or Digital File (Apple ProRes 422 or H.264)
- screening copy must be understood throughout in both Finnish and English simultaneously, either through dialogue and/or subtitles
- submitter is responsible for all copyrights
- by submitting the film, you commit to the film being screened if it is selected and the selection has been accepted by the filmmaker
- ▪ no screening fee for selected films
Submission Fee
- Early Bird 12 €/film, deadline 1 September
- Regular 14 €/film, deadline 4 November
- Final 16 €/film, deadline 1 December
SUBMISSION
- deadline 1 December 2024
- submissions can be made either via FilmFreeway or Shortfilmdepot
- register to the site (if not done earlier)
- fill in the submission form carefully
- upload at least one still photo of the film (300 dpi)
- make sure the preview file is working correctly
- preview file must be in or subtitled in English or Finnish
- submit to Tampere Film Festival – National Competition 2026
- make the payment
- final selections are announced by the end of January 2026 on the festival’s website www.tamperefilmfestival.fi
- the submitters of the selected films will be notified prior to the public announcement
JURIES AND PRIZES
The festival will nominate the National Jury consisting of three members. The following prizes will be given to the film directors:
- Main Prize: 5000 € and the Festival Trophy “Kiss”
- Special Prizes 1500 €
- Special Mentions
- Audience Award
In addition, the Prize of the Youth Jury will be awarded in the under 30 minute series. In addition to the prizes mentioned above, and with the approval of the festival, it is also possible for other organisations and associations to award films in the National Competition.
The film that wins the Main Prize in the series for under 30 minutes is directly eligible to be nominated for the Jussi Award for short films.
The film that wins the Main Prize in the series for under 30 minutes is also eligible for the Oscar® nomination without the standard theatrical run, provided that the film otherwise complies with the Academy’s rules.
IF THE FILM IS SELECTED
- information given in the entry form (synopsis, credits etc.) will be used as such in marketing and publicity
- screening copy must be delivered at least four (4) weeks before the festival
- screening copy must be understood throughout in both Finnish and English simultaneously, either through dialogue and/or subtitles
- films will be subtitled in Finnish and/or English depending on the film’s dialogue language(s) if the translation(s) are provided at least two (2) weeks before the festival. If the filmmaker(s) can’t provide the translation(s), please inform the festival at least two (2) weeks prior to the festival: it is possible to buy the translation service via the festival. However, please note that in such cases, the submitter(s)/filmmaker(s) are responsible for all translation fees.
- festival is authorised to make one excerpt not exceeding 10% or max. three (3) minutes of the total running time of the selected films to be used in promoting the festival in various medias and online
- festival will insure the screening copy received physically while in the festival’s possession. For screening copies received online, the Festival will verify that its service provider meets the highest security standards to prevent piracy. The insurance will adhere to the regulations of FIAPF)
- festival will cover the return expenses of the screening copy if needed
- festival will not pay screening fees for films selected into the competition
- festival will offer the representative of the film (one (1) person) accommodation in Tampere for two (2) nights during the festival
TFF Online Film Festival
The films selected into the National Competition will also be available online for online festival ticket holders, if agreed to by the filmmaker/submitter. The Tampere Online Film Festival will be available for a maximum of two (2) weeks during March 2026 and geoblocked to Finland only. Submitters are required to inform the festival of any possible restrictions regarding the online screenings at least two (2) weeks prior to the festival.
TFF Online Film Library
The films selected into the National Competition will automatically be entered into Tampere Film Festival’s Online Film Library if agreed to by the filmmaker/submitter. The Online Film Library will be available worldwide via www.tamperefilmfestival.fi for the festival’s accredited professional guests only and will be open from the beginning of the festival until the end of March 2026. Submitters are required to inform the festival of any possible restrictions regarding the Online Film Library at least two (2) weeks prior to the festival.
NON-SPECIFIED CASES
Any such cases not mentioned in these regulations will be left to the festival’s consideration (in accordance with FIAPF International Regulations). By submitting the entry form, the submitter acknowledges that they have read, understood and accepted the regulations without reservation.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions related to regulations, timetables etc., please contact elokuvat@tff.fi
