ALCHEMY FILM AND MOVING IMAGE FESTIVAL 2026: ENTRIES NOW OPEN

About the Open Call

The sixteenth edition of Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival, the UK’s festival of experimental film and the flagship event of Alchemy Film & Arts, will take place 30 April – 3 May 2026 in Hawick, Scotland. Across an international programme of cinema screenings, moving-image exhibitions and live performances, the festival is known for the openness, solidarity, humour and non-competitive nature with which it is delivered. We strongly advise you read our Terms & Conditions before entering your work for consideration. We offer two deadlines, an earlybird deadline for discounted entries and a regular deadline. We ask that filmmakers submit their work on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis. If you are submitting a multi-channel installation, please give as much detail as possible, including documentation (if available) and essential needs in terms of space and tech. Alchemy will provide dedicated technical support during install and de-install. We have no restrictions on the premiere status of a film, though prefer not to screen work that has already been widely shown in Scotland. We will also favour work completed after 1 January 2025. We screen films from DCP and 16mm, and can accept most other common digital formats. We provide all films with descriptive subtitles for deaf and hard of hearing audiences (SDH), in the event descriptive subtitles are not already available. All notifications of selection will be sent out in February 2026 if not before. Final screening copies should be received by us within 1 week of notification.

What is Offered

All selected artists are paid a screening fee. Entry fees are tiered on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis. Admission to screenings and events during the festival is offered on a ‘pay what you can afford’ basis; all exhibitions are free to enter. Descriptive subtitles are provided for all cinema screenings. Alchemy will provide dedicated technical support during install and de-install for exhibitions.

Requirements

Applicants should read the Terms & Conditions. For multi-channel installations, provide detailed information including documentation and essential space/tech needs. There are no restrictions on premiere status, but preference is given to work not widely shown in Scotland and completed after January 1, 2025. Final screening copies should be received within 1 week of notification. Failure to meet deadlines may result in film withdrawal. Once accepted, films cannot be withdrawn.

How to Apply

All entries must be received via our FilmFreeway portal. We cannot accept entries sent to our team directly and/or over email. SUBMIT NOW via https://filmfreeway.com/alchemyfilmandarts/