Submissions
For this page in Swedish, see Filmanmälan.
Submission
The submissions to the 49th Göteborg Film Festival are now open.
For information about submitting to Göteborg Film Festival, please check out our Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions below. The program committee’s decision of accepted/not accepted will be announced to all applicants in mid-December, 2025 or earlier.
Göteborg Film Festival is the leading film festival in the Nordics and presents its 49th edition on January 23 to February 1, 2026.
Submissions of non-Swedish films
Open. Deadline expires October 14, 2025.
For further questions regarding the international film submission, please contact submissions@goteborgfilmfestival.se
Submissions of Swedish films
Open. Deadline expires October 14, 2025.
For further questions regarding the Swedish film submission, please contact filmanmalan@goteborgfilmfestival.se
Terms & Conditions
General terms
- Göteborg Film Festival accepts films of all genres and distinctions.
- The film must have its Swedish premiere at Göteborg Film Festival and not have had its first public screening before January 1, 2025. Please note that any screening of the film in Sweden, or available to Swedish audiences online, prior to the festival automatically disqualifies the film from selection.
- The screening copy of the film must be in DCP format or 35mm and subtitled in English if the original dialogue is not entirely in English (does not apply to the viewing copy attached to the submissions of Swedish films).
- Submissions of Swedish films are free of charge.
- For all non-Swedish films we charge an application fee of 35 Euro. This is an administrative fee, and does not guarantee that the film will be selected. The application fee is non-refundable.
- The length of non-Swedish films must be 50 minutes or longer. Please note that we do not take applications for non-Swedish short films.
- All applications must be made through our website.
- The program committee’s decision of accepted/not accepted will be announced to all applicants in mid-December, 2025 or earlier.
- If your film is accepted, we need to receive an English-subtitled DCP of the film no later than January 8, 2026. In addition, we need to receive information about your film for our publications immediately after your film has been accepted.
Göteborg Film Festival’s competition program
- Nordic Competition – open for feature films (at least 72 minutes) from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark.
- Nordic Documentary Competition – open to documentaries (at least 55 minutes) from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark.
- Swedish Short Competition (Startsladden) – open for short films (max 14 minutes 30 seconds) from Sweden.
- International Competition – open for all non-Nordic feature films.
- Ingmar Bergman Competition – open for all feature films by first and second time directors.
In addition to the festival's own competition program, all Swedish feature films (at least 72 minutes) in the official program compete for the Swedish Church Film Prize, Angelospriset.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will Göteborg Film Festival 2026 take place?
January 23 – February 1, 2026 in Göteborg, Sweden and online.
How recently must my film have been produced?
The film must not have had its first public screening before January 1, 2025 and it shall not have been screened in Sweden prior to the festival. If the film premiered anywhere in 2024 or earlier it is not eligible for the 49th Göteborg Film Festival 2026.
How do I submit a film?
To submit a film, you fill in a submission form and include a viewing copy to the film. The viewing copy shall be attached as a password-protected link or be hidden for searches on the web. Submissions of Swedish films are free of charge. To submit a non-Swedish film, you need to pay a submission fee.
What counts as a Swedish film?
To be considered a Swedish film it must be produced in Sweden and/or have a Swedish director (that has a Swedish citizenship, is resident or operates in Sweden).
How many films can I submit?
There is no limit. Just be sure to fill out separate submission forms and pay the submission fee for each film.
Do I need to make special submissions for the different competition programs?
No, no special submission is required for a submitted film to be nominated for the festival's competition programs.
Do you accept work-in-progress or rough cuts?
It is possible to submit a working copy of the film, as long as your film will be completed in time to screen at the festival. Please note that the assessment is made on the viewing copy that has been submitted.
Do you screen films for children?
Yes, we also include films aimed for children in the program. In addition, Göteborg Film Festival arranges a children's film festival, Göteborg Film Festival Prisma, at the end of October every year.
Will you confirm my submission?
Yes, once you have filled in the form online, you will receive a receipt.
When will I find out if my film has been accepted?
Everyone who submit a film will be notified by e-mail whether the film has been accepted or not. Usually, we will send out the notification in mid-December.
If my film is not accepted, will you return my preview copy?
Unfortunately, no. The high volume of films submitted simply makes it impossible for us to return DVD’s and hard drives. Do not send your only master or other materials such as press kits and stills that you might want to get back.
Can I get feedback of my film?
Unfortunately, no. The high volume of films submitted simply makes it impossible for us to commit to speaking individually with filmmakers about why we did not select their films.
Do you grant fee waivers?
No, our policy is not to give fee waivers or reductions. We know filmmaking is an expensive venture, but the application fee is necessary to fund the basics of the selection process.
If I change my mind and want to cancel my submission, will I get my Submission fee back?
No, the Submission fee is non-refundable.
If my film is not accepted, will I get my Submission fee back?
No, the Submission fee is non-refundable.
What if my film has been broadcasted on Swedish TV, posted online or released in theatres?
If your film has been or will be broadcast on a Swedish TV channel, been publicly posted online, released in Swedish cinemas, on DVD or VOD before Göteborg Film Festival 2026, it is not eligible for the festival. (Films produced in an educational context may – to a limited extent – have been screened within the framework of the educational activities.)
What if my film has been screened at other festivals?
We always need the Swedish premiere, so if your film has been screened in other Swedish festivals it is not eligible for Göteborg Film Festival. If the film has been screened at festivals outside of Sweden it is not a problem for us. Please make sure to indicate the date and place of the first screening in the online application form.
Why does the festival demand the Swedish premiere?
Ever since the start in 1979, the main purpose of the Göteborg Film Festival has been to screen films that would not otherwise be screened in Swedish cinemas. Over the years, the film festival has gained a large and loyal audience. Audiences, industry visitors and media travel to the festival with the knowledge that they will see and experience the very latest in film, both from Sweden and from other countries. The premiere atmosphere and news value have an appeal in themselves, which benefits all films that participate in the festival. We believe this is the most beneficial for filmmakers, audiences, the media and the film industry.