Your Film Belongs Here.
RATMA is an independent short film festival for people who make films because they love making and watching films.
- Films must be 20 minutes or less.
- Open to filmmakers worldwide.
- Awards night 22nd May 2027.
This is how you get your film in front of an audience.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU READ THE RULES 'N STUFF BEFORE ENTERING.
Who Can Enter
RATMA is open to amateur and emerging filmmakers, film students, and anyone who makes films because they love it. You do not need professional industry experience, a large budget, or professional equipment to enter. RATMA is built for people who make films, full stop.
Film criteria
- Films must be 20 minutes or less in length.
- The festival is open internationally — filmmakers from anywhere in the world are welcome.
- Films can be any genre and made with any equipment.
- For the full list of rules, click HERE.
If you've made a film and you're proud of it, you're eligible to enter. It really is that straightforward.
Genres
RATMA welcomes films across a range of genres.
Animation
Bring the impossible to life, one frame at a time.
Art
Films where creativity takes centre stage and imagination knows no limits.
Comedy
Make us laugh, make us grin, just make us glad we pressed play.
Documentary
Real people, real stories, real moments worth sharing.
Drama
Stories that move us, challenge us and stay with us.
Music
Where rhythm, sound and storytelling come together on screen.
Sci-Fi/Thriller
Strange worlds, big ideas and stories that keep you guessing.
Not sure which category your film fits? Don't worry — we'll help you find the right home for it. [Contact RATMA]
Rules 'n Stuff
We like to keep things simple. RATMA is all about encouraging filmmakers to be creative, have fun and share their films with an audience.
There are just a few things to remember:
- 20 minutes or less
Films must be no longer than 20 minutes, including credits. - Keep it reasonable
We welcome a wide range of stories and styles, but films should be suitable for a general festival audience. We don't want films that are excessively violent, hateful, sexually explicit or deliberately offensive. - Leave the politics at home
RATMA isn't a political festival. Films should not be primarily political, promote political parties or movements, or be created mainly to push a political message. - Make sure it's yours to enter
You must have the necessary rights and permissions to submit your film, including permission to use any music, footage, images or other material belonging to someone else. - Be nice
RATMA is about encouraging filmmakers and celebrating creativity. We expect films and filmmakers to respect others and not promote hatred, discrimination or harm. - We reserve the right to say no
RATMA reserves the right to reject a film if we believe it does not meet the spirit of the festival, these rules or a reasonable standard of content suitable for our audience. We may also reject a film where showing it could create legal or other significant problems for the festival.
That's pretty much it.
Make something, enjoy making it, and send it our way. We want to see what you can do.
Help Keep RATMA Going
RATMA is completely free to enter. We don't want the cost of entering a festival to stop anyone from having the chance to share their film.
If you'd like to help us cover the costs of running RATMA, you can make a voluntary donation when you submit your film. Every donation, big or small, helps us put on screenings, promote filmmakers and keep the festival going.
Donations are completely optional and will have no effect on the selection of your film.
How to Submit Your Film
We want entering RATMA to be as simple as possible. Here's how the submission process works. The specific platform and form will be confirmed when entries open — the steps below give you the shape of how it works.
01
Prepare Your Film
Make sure your film is 20 minutes or less. Check the eligibility criteria and have your film file (less than 10GB, a synopsis, a thumbnail and your contact details ready.
02
Complete the Entry Form
Fill in the online entry form. You'll need to provide details about your film, director information and select your entry category.
03
Upload and Submit
Upload your film via the submission platform, make a donation if you'd like to support us and you're done. You'll receive a confirmation once your entry is received.
We are taking entries from the 1st of September 2026.
Awards & Recognition
RATMA recognises the best work submitted across every category. Awards are presented at the festival ceremony — this is your chance to have your film seen, celebrated and acknowledged.
2027 awards will include:
- [Award Category TBC]
- [Award Category TBC]
- [Award Category TBC]
- Best Film overall
- [Further categories to be confirmed]
You don't need to win an award for RATMA to be worth entering. But it's a good feeling when it happens.
What Happens to Your Film
Every film submitted to RATMA is watched by a real person. Our team of readers and judges reviews every entry — your film will always be seen.
Once you’ve submitted your film, our team will watch every eligible entry and select the films we feel deserve a place in the festival.
If your film is selected, it will be screened locally in Keighley for a period leading up to the awards night, giving the public the chance to discover your work and vote for their favourite film.
On the 22nd of May 2027 we will have the awards night at The Picture House Cinema in Keighley which will also be live streamed on our social channels.
Whether or not your film is selected for screening, RATMA is a festival that wants you to keep making films. We'll always let you know the outcome of your submission.
Rules & Regulations
The full rules and regulations for RATMA 2027 will be published here when entries open. The key principles that will always apply are listed below.
Film Length
Films must be 20 minutes or less, including titles and credits. [Full duration rules for 2027 to be confirmed.]Eligibility
RATMA is open to amateur and emerging filmmakers, students and independent creators worldwide. [Full eligibility rules for 2027 to be confirmed.]Language & Subtitles
[Rules regarding language, subtitles and accessibility to be confirmed for 2027.]Copyright & Ownership
Entrants must own the rights to all content in their film, including music, footage and any third-party material. [Full copyright rules to be confirmed.]Submission Format
[Accepted file formats, resolution requirements and technical specifications to be confirmed when entries open.]Previous Festival Entries
[Rules regarding films that have previously screened at other festivals to be confirmed for 2027.]
Questions about the rules before they're published? Get in touch — we're happy to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
New to film festivals? These are the questions we get asked most often. If yours isn't here, just get in touch.
Do I need to be a professional filmmaker to enter?
No. RATMA is specifically for amateur and emerging filmmakers. You do not need professional credits, industry connections or a professional budget. If you make films, you can enter.
What length does my film need to be?
Your film must be 20 minutes or less, including titles and credits. Short films of any length up to that limit are welcome.
Can filmmakers outside the UK enter?
Yes. RATMA is open to filmmakers from anywhere in the world. The festival is based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, but the competition is international.
Can I submit a film I've already entered in another festival?
[To be confirmed in the 2027 rules — check back when entries open, or sign up for updates.]
How will I know if my film has been selected?
All entrants will be notified of the outcome of their submission. Selected filmmakers will receive full details of screening dates, venue and how to attend.
Do I need to attend the festival if my film is selected?
You're warmly encouraged to come, but it's not a requirement for your film to be screened. If you can make it to Keighley, we'd love to meet you.
Where can I submit my film?
The submission platform for 2027 entries will be confirmed when entries open. Sign up for updates to be notified as soon as the entry process is live.
Still have a question? Use the contact page — we read every message.
You're in. We'll be in touch as soon as entries open.
Ready to Enter?
Submit your film to RATMA 2027. Films 20 minutes or less. Open to filmmakers worldwide. No professional background required. Just make something you're proud of.
Entries are not yet open for 2027. Sign up below to be the first to know when submissions open, when deadlines are announced and when the programme is confirmed.
Already know you want to enter? Enter a Film links to the live submission platform once open. Questions? Contact RATMA