The West Lothian Film Festival Website

film

fesTIVAL

West

LOTHIAN

ABOUT

West Lothian Film Festival, located in the vibrant town of Livingston, is a premier national event dedicated to celebrating the art of cinema. Our festival stands out by offering a unique blend of Scottish culture and heritage, creating an authentic experience that appeals to both local and international audiences. Our primary operational area spans across the nation, ensuring that our reach and influence extend far beyond the borders of West Lothian. We make available an exceptional opportunity, including tickets and exclusive merchandise, to enhance the festival experience for our attendees.

To differentiate ourselves from the competition, we employ several unique marketing strategies. By leveraging local culture, we incorporate elements of Scottish heritage into our festival, creating a distinctive and memorable event. Strategic partnerships with local businesses, tourism boards, and cultural institutions further enhance our visibility and credibility, while also providing mutual benefits through cross-promotion. Additionally, we offer exclusive content such as special screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and behind-the-scenes access, fostering a sense of exclusivity and attracting a dedicated following.

Operationally, West Lothian Film Festival sets itself apart by showcasing a diverse range of Scottish films, highlighting local talent and culture. We collaborate closely with local businesses to create a community-focused festival atmosphere. Our dynamic programme includes a dedicated section for Gaelic-language films, promoting Scotland's linguistic heritage and facilitating cultural exchange with international films. From 2025, the festival has expanded to include categories for young people, the Home Nations, and the Celtic Nations, further broadening our scope and appeal.

Directors Story

The journey to founding the West Lothian Film Festival began during my time at West Lothian College, where I was studying for an HNC in Marketing Communications. It was there that I encountered a pivotal case study assessment, which required me to create a website and marketing plan for a fictitious film festival named Lodainn an Iar Film Festival. This project ignited a spark within me, revealing a passion for film festivals and the potential they hold to bring communities together through the magic of cinema.

As I progressed in my academic journey, I continued to nurture this newfound passion. I went on to study Film and Media as a direct entrant at Queen Margaret University. During these years, I dedicated myself to planning, strategising, and executing what would become the inaugural West Lothian Film Festival. The experience was both challenging and exhilarating, as I balanced my academic responsibilities with the meticulous planning required to bring the festival to life.

My final year at university was particularly significant, as it marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring that the West Lothian Film Festival would be a success. The festival was delivered as planned just weeks after my graduation, a testament to the meticulous preparation and unwavering commitment that had gone into its creation. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, and I am enthusiastic about the future of the West Lothian Film Festival and its potential to become a cornerstone of the local cultural landscape.

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

vision

Establish the West Lothian Film Festival as a prime platform for aspiring filmmakers locally and globally. Committed to nurturing diverse creative voices, fostering cultural exchange, and showcasing the unique stories of West Lothian, Gaelic speaking communities and aspiring global filmmakers, connect the people of West Lothian to creation they have never seen before.

MISSION

"Celebrating the magic of cinema, West Lothian Film Festival brings stories to life and communities together. We strive to be a beacon of creativity and connection, showcasing local and international films that inspire and engage."

Values

Work Hard and Be Kind

We believe in the power of diligence and compassion. By working hard and treating others with kindness, we create a supportive and inclusive environment for all involved in the festival.

Be Problem Solvers for Each Other

We embrace a collaborative spirit where everyone is encouraged to lend a helping hand and find creative solutions to challenges. Together, we overcome obstacles and support each other's growth.

Collaboration:

We recognise that true perfection may be unattainable, but by working together and taking calculated risks, we can achieve excellence. We encourage innovation and teamwork to continually improve and evolve.

Embrace Change

We are committed to being agents of change in our community. Our festival serves as a catalyst for progression, providing a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their work and push boundaries in storytelling.

Empower Career Jumpstarts

Our ultimate goal is to be the genuine jumpstart for aspiring filmmakers' careers. We aim to provide opportunities and support that propel them to success, leaving a lasting impact on their journey in the film industry.

categories

2025

We have developed new categories for 2025 increasing the opportunities from 21 to 27 (possibly 37)

- ‘Matthew Farnham’ Award - (Best of Festival)

- Special International Award of Merit

- Best Gaelic Film & TV

- Best Feature Film

- Best Short Film

- Best Student Film

- Best Documentary

- Best Animation

- Best TV Series (Pilot/Concept/Web Series)

- Best Screenplay - Unproduced or Produced

- Best Voiceover

- Best Actor

- Best Actress

- Best Director

- Best First-Time Director

- Best Producer

- Best Cinematography

- Best Editing

- Best Soundtrack/Original Score

- Best Makeup & Hairstyling

- Best Costume Design

- ‘Matthew Farnham’ Award - (Best of Festival)

- Special International Award of Merit

- Best of Home Nations

- Best of Celtic Nations

- Best Gaelic Film & TV

- Best Feature Film

- Best Short Film

- Best Film (12 years and under)

- Best Film (13 years to 18 years)

- Best Film (19 years to 26 years)

- Best Student Film

- Best Documentary

- Best Animation

- Best TV Series (Pilot/Concept/Web Series)

- Best Screenplay - Unproduced or Produced

- Best Voiceover

- Best Supporting Actor

- Best Supporting Actress

- Best Actor

- Best Actress

- Most Authentic Background

- Best Director

- Best First-Time Director

- Best Producer

- Best Cinematography

- Best Editing

- Best Soundtrack/Original Score

- Best Makeup & Hairstyling

- Best Costume Design

What has changed

We are grateful to have kept all categories from 2024 and include a few new ones for 2025. It’s incredibly important to us to introduce youth focused categories with Best Film (12 years and under), Best Film (13 years to 18 years) and Best Film (19 years to 26 years). Many of our Judges have been Supporting Artists, many still are and even our Festival Director himself cut his teeth into this industry in front of the camera as an “SA”. The inclusion of Most Authentic Background is an opportunity for the unsung heroes of our favourite films and television shows. Also this category is a celebration of the Assistant Directors who place and direct all things background. We have also included Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. Long have the headline names been celebrated, however it is important to recognise the acting talent around them that elevate all performances.

We are also incredible happy to bring the Best of Home Nations and Best of Celtic Nations as this allows the festival to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage shared across these regions, fostering a sense of unity and community among diverse audiences. By including filmmakers and talent from all non-Scottish nations within the UK, as well as celebrating the distinct identities of the Celtic nations—Ireland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Galicia—the festival becomes a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and collaboration.

In the Home Nations category, the festival currently offers 1 award. However, this could be expanded to 5 awards: one for each Home Nation (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland) and an additional award for the best overall submission. This extension from 1 to 5 awards will be determined by the number of submissions received, with a minimum requirement of 4 submissions per Home Nation to qualify for individual awards.

Similarly, the Celtic Nations category, which currently offers 1 award, could be extended to 7 awards in total, with one award for each Celtic nation—Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and Galicia—along with an additional "best of" award. This expansion will also depend on receiving a minimum of 4 submissions from each Celtic nation.

JUDGING PROCESS

Submissions are judged by a jury of industry professionals and film critics. They judge with fairness on the quality and authenticity of work from cinematography, directing, producing, costume and many more.

Judging Panel Formation

We form a diverse panel of judges with expertise in various aspects of filmmaking, such as directing, acting, cinematography, and screenwriting.
We ensure that judges have no conflicts of interest with the submitted films or filmmakers. If such conflicts arise, the submission either cannot be considered or the judge will be excluded from the process on the judging of the submission that have a connection with.

Film Submission, Pre-Screening & Selection

Submissions will be exclusively submitted via the FilmFreeway platform, as will tickets to the subsequent festival days and the awards night.
Judges receive a list of submitted films and brief synopses in advance.
Judges may be divided into smaller groups to pre-screen films, narrowing down the selection for the official competition.

Evaluation Criteria

Define clear and specific criteria for judging, such as storytelling, cinematography, acting, editing, sound design, and originality.
Judges will work to a scoring system (e.g., on a scale of 1-10) for each criterion to ensure consistency and fairness.

Film Viewing & Scoring

Judges watch assigned films individually or in small groups.
Each judge scores films based on the established criteria, taking notes on strengths and weaknesses.
Judges will be asked to provide constructive but concise feedback.

Deliberation and Scoring

After individual evaluations, judges convene to discuss their assessments.
We will allow judges to advocate for their favourite films and engage in constructive debates.
If scoring doesn’t show a clear winner, the judges will strive for a consensus on the selection of winning films.

Transparency

We will maintain transparency in the judging process by documenting scores, comments, and decisions.
Ensure that the judging process is fair and free from any biases.

Selection of Winners

Judges collectively decide on the winning films in various categories (e.g., Best Short, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress).
We will announce the winners at the festival's awards ceremony.

Feedback and Communication

Provide feedback to filmmakers, especially those who didn't win, to help them improve their craft.
Maintain open communication with filmmakers and the public about the festival's decisions.

Awards Ceremony

Host an awards ceremony as part of the film festival to celebrate the winners and their achievements.
Invite filmmakers, judges, and the public to attend and participate in the festivities.

ELIGIBILITY

General

The festival welcomes submissions of all production mythologies, forms, budgets, and genres, but they must be predominantly Drama.
The primary contact submitting the film must be authorised to do so, including having permission from a distributor or sales agent if applicable. It must have secured all necessary rights, including copyrighted music and/or images. By submitting, the applicant confirms they hold all rights required for screening the submitted film at WLFF.
Films must have been completed after July 2003. They should not exceed 100 minutes in length, including opening titles and end credits, or be any shorter than 5 minutes, including opening titles and end credits.
Films submitted to previous editions of WLFF will be reconsidered. Especially If substantial structural changes have been made since the prior submission, please contact hello@westlothianff.scot to discuss resubmission.
WLFF does not require a premiere status and accepts works available online. However, if you wish to announce your film (if programmed and screened) as its premiere, please clarify this in your cover letter at the point of submission.

CATEGORY SPECIFIC

Special International Award of Merit

All nations outside the UK and Ireland are eligible.

Best of Home Nations must be submitted by Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Best of Celtic Nations must be submissions from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Galicia.
Best Gaelic Film / TV Award:

All submissions must be shot in Irish or Scots Gaelic and have clear English subtitles.

Cast and Crew for submission to “12 years and Under” categories must consist of a minimum of 50% of the headline age range.
Cast and Crew for submission to “13 years to 18 years” categories must consist of a minimum of 70% of the headline age range.
Cast and Crew for submission to “19 years to 26 years” categories must consist of a minimum of 80% of the headline age range.
The Matt Farnham, ‘The Best of Festival Award’, is exclusively judged by Matt Farnham and cannot be submitted to. Provided your submission meets the criteria it was submitted to, it will be considered.

WEST LOTHIAN BASED

A film qualifies for the competition if the following are true:

Predominately Drama Genre.
Any part of the project's pre-production, production, and/or post-production phases occurred in the Lothians.
A minimum of 20% of your cast and crew must have a connection to West Lothian. For example, a 10-person cast/crew = 2 with a West Lothian connection. An yes, this could be as simple as a few Runners booked for dailies.
80% of your cast and crew must have five or fewer IMDB credits.
Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Festival Director.
Please note at this time the West Lothian Film Festival does not have the resources to validate a film’s criteria for the West Lothian based submissions that form the majority of the categories available. We must, for now, rely on the trustworthyness.
If categories have been submitted to through a missunderstanding these categories can been switched to something else that closer matches your production. For example, Best Short Film (wrongly submitted) can be switched to Best of Home Nations.

Festival & Awards Night

18th, 19th and 20th of July - 3-Day Festival at Vue Livingston

Our festival provides a diverse cinematic experience for audiences and filmmakers alike, but also an opportunity to reflect on the future of our industry and our collective role within it.

In addition to live screenings, we offer:

Directing Masterclass
Filmmaker roundtable/panel discussion
Live Table Read
A worldwide network of filmmakers and collaborators

Final Feature Film

Short Films

Festival Closer

10am to 3pm

Vue Cinema

Networking

Live Table Read

Feature Length Friday

10am to 10pm

Vue Cinema

x Feature Length Films

Networking

Filmmaker Q&A

Short Films

10am to 10pm

Vue Cinema

Networking

Workshop

20th of July - Black Tie Awards Ceremony at Vue Livingston

17:00 - 17:59 Red Carpet Reception
18:00 - 20:00 Award Ceremony

National Anthem by
Our Presenters to welcome everyone and introduce opening remarks Christopher McPhillips
Christopher McPhillips to introduce VIP
Presenters to introduce categories, nominations and winners

20:00 - 20:30 Break
20:30 - 22:00 Award Ceremony continued

Presenters to continue introduce categories, nominations and winners
Both Presenters introduce Matt Farnham to discuss and award the ‘Best of Festival’
Final thank to everyone from Christopher McPhillips and that the West Lothian Film Festival will return on on July 2026.

FilmFreeway is the world's number 1 way to discover, submit and get tickets to thousands of film festivals, screenplay contests, music contests and photography contests all over the world. And we are thrilled to be part of the platform as one of it’s newest film festival partners.

More than two million filmmakers, screenwriters and artists use FilmFreeway to submit to over 12,000 of the world’s best film festivals and contests (including 170+ Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festivals).

West Lothian Film Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway,

the world's #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.

2025 SPONSORS

The West Lothian Film Festival and Awards will not be possible without the support from businesses and community members. If you would like to help support the event, please contact us via email - hello@westlothianff.scot

Ways to support: PayPal Donate – Sponsor – Volunteer –

Donate: Aside from buying tickets to our events, you can contribute directly to the West Lothian Film Festival. Your generosity will help support the legacy and a tradition of the West Lothian Film Festival. We welcome and accept small and large donations.

Sponsor: Sponsorship partnerships are a vital part of our existence, enabling West Lothian Film Festival to support independent storytellers. Contributions from businesses can provide branding and exposure opportunities for businesses and products. Including but not limited to Product Placement, Branding, Gift Bags and Accommodation. West Lothian Film Festival will also be able to engage with a process to have broadcast options.

Volunteer: Come and volunteer at the film festival, checking people in, assisting guests and enjoy the festivities inbetween it all. Personal references will be written to support your next step in your career.

HEADLINE SPONSOR

£15,000