FILMMAKERS

Here is your 'need to know info'.

We have festival launch drinks on Wednesday 20th September 2023.

The festival closes with a Gala Award Ceremony on Saturday 23rd September.

Our closing night will be attended by sponsors, industry professionals and guest speakers.

A great chance to mingle, network and show off your work and your prizes.

This will take place at The Hen and Chickens Pub Theatre.

Who We Are

Saturn Returns grew from a love of film. We are industry professionals with a passion for hearing women's voices and viewpoints.

This is a platform and festival to celebrate, honour and amplify exactly that.

The Criteria

1. All films must be directed or written or produced by a woman or gender nonconforming filmmaker.

Films by anyone are accepted if at least two of the main roles (director, writer, producer) is led by a woman or gender nonconforming filmmaker.

2. All rights to the film must be owned by the filmmakers and cleared.

Music and archive footage is your responsibility.

3. If your film is not in the English language, English subtitles will be required.

4. As a new festival striving for equality and accessibility in the film industry, we ask that you kindly provide CC on all films to accommodate to disabled or D/deaf audience members and members of our team.

You can submit your film without CC, but we ask that if you are selected, they must be added before the screening.

5. Films must have been completed after January 2019.

7. Films that do not fall into the above criteria will not be watched or considered, so please do ensure you read and follow guidelines.

8. We do not refund submissions or offer waiver codes.

9. We are so sorry but are are unable to provide feedback on submissions as we are run by volunteers.

10. The most important rule: ENJOY yourselves and good luck!

How to Submit

1. Make a Film

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
2. Read our Criteria

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
3. If it fits - Submit here or over on Film Freeway

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
4. Check your email.

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
5. Come along and enjoy either way.

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.

Submit Now

Industry Experts

Our inaugural festival - we hope to partner with production companies, producers and directors to bring you masterclasses further down the line.

Carefully Curated

We have specific criteria for Saturn Returns. We are an inclusive festival but our focus is very much on the voices of women.

Building up Filmmakers

It is very important to us that we help filmmakers get their work in front of the right people. You’ll find the support you need to make sure that things runs smoothly.