SUBMIT TO CALLOUT

Event Date: 9th and 10th October

What's on offer

An open call for screen projects, with five finalists selected for a live pitch at BIFF.
Finalists will present their projects to an audience and INDUSTRY judging panel as part of the festival

What they are looking for

Projects rooted in social realism, in the tradition of filmmakers such as Ken Loach and Mike Leigh.
Period social realism is also welcome when it has clear contemporary relevance

Who can apply

Film Makers at any career stage

What you need to include in your SMASH Pitch

Your SMASH Snapshot must include at minimum:

Logline
Format; Genre; Setting; Runtime
Brief Biog of key creatives
Synopsis with all major plot points — set up; inciting incident; rising conflict; mid story twist; crisis; climax and resolution.
Creative vision and or Director’s statement
Visual references (poster/concept art optional)
Budget range
Cast ideas (that would work with your budget)
Comparables (recent TV or Film at your budget level that capture a similar feeling or energy)

Any projects submitted without this information will not be accepted.

How to Apply

Create your FREE SMASH Pitch at app.mysmash.media.
Build your Snapshot with the required elements above.
Hit 'Share Project' and select Live Pitch Opportunity at Bournemouth International Film Festival from the Call Out page.
Submit before. 17th Sep 2026 at Midnight.

Protect your IP

At SMASH, protecting your creative work is at the heart of everything we do. Every project uploaded to the platform is automatically timestamped and securely stored, giving you a verifiable digital record of ownership. Your pitch is only shared when you choose, and with the people you choose — ensuring your ideas remain yours, always. We call it Pitch Protection, and it's how we make sure creators can share their work with confidence, knowing their IP is safe and traceable.

Key Dates

Submission Deadline: 17th Sep 2026 at Midnight.
Event / Market / Live Pitch: 9th and 10th October – exact time to be confirmed

Important Notes

It's FREE to create and submit a SMASH Pitch.
Selected participants must attend the live pitch event.
Industry experts may not commission your project directly but will provide feedback, connections, and guidance.
Submissions will be curated to five finalists, who will pitch live to an audience and judges.
Questions? Contact: cupid@mysmash.media

About BIFF

A New Festival for a New Generation of Filmmakers and a springboard for bold storytelling and fearless new talent. Join us in Bournemouth this October for two days of bold cinema, creative conversation, and a career-defining opportunity.

The theme of BIFF 2026 is Social Realism — Real Stories. Real Cinema. This year, we celebrate films that tell the truth of lived experience — stories rooted in community, work, identity, and belonging. From the struggles to the small victories, BIFF 2026 shines a light on the beauty, humour, and humanity of everyday life.

About My SMASH Media

SMASH is the pitch builder and pitch protector for creators. It helps you build a professional, shareable pitch deck that can be discovered by industry decision-makers. SMASH is free for creators. Upgrade to SMASHPro for SMASHCupid support & advanced tools to make your pitch perfect.