Stories shared in a room
A curated programme of selected films will be screened for a live audience in the festival’s host city.
International film festival · London 2027
New voices.
On the big screen.
Created by the film media platforms LikeCine and LikeHorror, LikeGala brings original work to audiences and the wider industry. The inaugural edition takes place in London, with a curated screening of selected films.
About LikeGala
One festival.
New cities.
LikeGala is an international film festival designed to take place in a different host city with each edition. The inaugural festival takes place at Close-Up Film Centre in London on 21 April 2027.
A project from LikeMedia — the team behind the film industry media platforms LikeCine and LikeHorror — LikeGala discovers filmmakers and writers with a clear voice, a compelling idea and the courage to make it real. We consider completed films alongside screenplays and concepts in development.
Films chosen for the screening programme will meet a live audience, while selected participants and award recipients will be introduced to wider audiences through editorial coverage and social promotion across LikeCine, LikeHorror and their channels.
Judged by the industry
Entries will be evaluated by a jury of working professionals from across film and media.
Beyond festival night
LikeCine and LikeHorror will extend the spotlight through editorial features and social coverage.
2027 submission tracks
Eight ways to enter.
Choose the single track that best describes your project. Eligible entries are automatically considered for relevant genre and special distinctions.
Feature Film
Completed narrative films with a running time of 40 minutes or more.
Short Film
Completed narrative films under 40 minutes, across genres and production scales.
Micro Short
A complete story in five minutes or less, including credits.
Feature Screenplay
Original, unproduced feature-length screenplays written in English.
Short Screenplay
Original, unproduced screenplays intended for a short film.
Series Pilot Screenplay
Original pilot scripts for a limited or continuing series.
Film or Series Concept
A pitch deck presenting the story, characters, tone and creative direction of a feature or series.
AI-Assisted Short Film
Short-form work using generative AI as a disclosed part of a human-led creative process.
Automatic award consideration
Horror entries are also considered for Best Horror Feature, Best Horror Short or Best Horror Screenplay. Eligible productions may receive Best Microbudget Achievement. No second submission is required.
2027 recognition
Twelve awards.
One clear standard.
- Best Feature Film
- Best Horror Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Horror Short Film
- Best Micro Short
- Best Feature Screenplay
- Best Short Screenplay
- Best Series Pilot Screenplay
- Best Horror Screenplay
- Best Film or Series Concept
- Best AI Film
- Best Microbudget Achievement
The 21 calendar
One date to remember.
Every milestone falls on the 21st. Earlier entry periods offer lower submission fees; judging standards remain the same throughout.
Opening date21September2026
Early Bird21October2026
Regular21November2026
Late21December2026
Final deadline21January2027
Notification21March2027
Festival & Awards21April2027
Why 21 April
Creativity deserves a date.
LikeGala takes place on World Creativity and Innovation Day — a fitting moment to recognize original thinking, new storytelling tools and work made outside conventional paths.
The London 2027 edition will bring completed films, future projects, industry voices and a live audience together for LikeGala’s first chapter.
21
London 2027 venue
Independent cinema.
In the heart of Shoreditch.
The first LikeGala screening and awards presentation will take place from 18:00 to 22:00 on Wednesday, 21 April 2027.
Close-Up Film Centre
97 Sclater Street, London E1 6HR
Close-Up is an independent film centre dedicated to cinema culture. Its intimate screening room gives the inaugural LikeGala programme a focused setting built for filmmakers, guests and a live audience.
- 40-seat screening room
- DCP and 2K projection
- Dolby 5.1 sound
- On-site café and bar
Entry essentials
Clear rules.
Fair review.
Complete fees and category-specific requirements are available through the official LikeGala page on FilmFreeway.
Who can submit?
LikeGala welcomes filmmakers and writers from every country. Films not primarily in English must include English subtitles; written submissions must be in English.
Will selected films be screened?
Yes. A curated programme of selected films will screen at Close-Up Film Centre in London on 21 April 2027. Programme and admission details will be announced separately; selection in the competition does not automatically guarantee a screening slot.
Who reviews the submissions?
Entries will be evaluated by a jury of working film and media professionals. Jury members and their biographies will be introduced ahead of the festival.
How will LikeGala promote selected participants?
Official selections and award recipients will receive festival news coverage and social promotion across LikeCine, LikeHorror and their channels. Selected projects may also be featured in interviews and profiles.
Can one project receive more than one award?
Yes. A project enters one submission track and may be considered automatically for relevant horror and special distinctions.
Does submission transfer any rights?
No. Entrants retain all ownership. Submission grants LikeGala only the limited permission needed to review the work and, with the entrant’s approval, use supplied stills or excerpts for festival promotion.
What must AI-assisted films disclose?
Entrants must identify the tools used, describe the human creative contribution and confirm they hold the necessary rights to all submitted material, including images, voices, music and source assets.
How will projects be submitted?
All entries are accepted through FilmFreeway, where current categories, fees and deadlines are listed.
London 2027 · Worldwide submissions
Bring your story to LikeGala.
Submissions are open worldwide through FilmFreeway. Selected films will be considered for our London screening programme, and selected participants will be spotlighted across LikeCine, LikeHorror and their social channels.
