The CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival is an annual multi-day event that promotes the beautiful Cayman Islands as a world-class filming destination and incredible place to visit and do business. Red carpets, celebrity gala events, exclusive premiere screenings, question and answer sessions with filmmakers, daily film screenings, panel discussions, workshops, a fun awards show, sun, sea and sand...there is something for everyone at CayFilm!
In only its 5th year, CayFilm has already earned a reputation for being an inclusive, accessible and unique event and is rated on "FilmFreeway as a Top 100 Best Reviewed Festival”. Its location, combined with the ‘Caymankind’ hospitality of a very diverse island community, and a team who is passionate about film and nurturing up and coming filmmakers, is the reason why CayFilm is destined to be a permanent feature on the calendars of the Who’s Who in the industry.

Past CayFilm attendees, panelists and honorees include Zoe Saldana, Anthony Mackie, Terrence Howard, Paul Schrader, Gary Lucchesi, Ben Burtt, Teri Schwartz, Jon M. Chu, James V. Hart, Borys Kit, Reno Wilson, Victor Rasuk, Alexander Di Persia, Wes Studi, Brian Cox, Carlos and Alexa PenaVega, Rick Gomez and Nicky Whelan.

Part of CayFilm’s mission is to open up the Cayman Islands to the film industry around the world whilst opening up the world to Cayman’s young and aspiring filmmakers. In support of this goal to offer film related educational opportunities in the Cayman Islands, the Cayman Media Academy (CMA) has been developed under the CayFilm umbrella.

The Academy will offer classes and qualifications to students wishing to further their education in different film related studies with the eventual goal of a full-time degree available at the Festival’s own physical location. Younger filmmaking aficionados will have their own specially designed programmes to inspire and give confidence about their own unique abilities as filmmakers.

For more information about CayFilm go to www.cayfilm.com

CayFilm presents awards in the following categories:

Best Short Film
Best Underwater Film
The Paul Schrader Best Screenplay Award
Best Feature Film
Best Feature Documentary
Best Documentary Short
Best Environmental Film
Best First Film
Best Music Video
Best Animated Short Film
Frank E. Flowers Local Filmmaker Award
Food Films

Film submissions are judged by an international panel made up of experienced directors, producers and editors.

We also offer prizes where possible. Prizes for the 2016 Festival included: Gorilla software from Jungle Software, InkTip Script Listings for the winner of the Paul Schrader Best Screenplay Award and runner ups as well as subscriptions to HartChart from Writer, James V. Hart.

InkTip is where everyone goes for writers and scripts. Producers have made more than 200 films from scripts and writers they found through InkTip.

More information about prizes will be available closer to the event, and announced on www.cayfilm.com.

We also have confirmed buyers attending the 2017 CayFilm Festival! You will have the opportunity to have your films seen by several companies at our Film Finance Market.

For international filmmakers traveling to Cayman, all accepted films will include a VIP pass to the event and discounts at local hotels, restaurants and attractions. Additional festival passes can also be purchased at a discount with a special code and prior to the close of the early bird ticket sale deadline.

By entering your film for consideration for the 2017 CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival, you agree that your work is cleared for festival exhibition and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein.

In order to be eligible for the local filmmaking award and prize, the film must premier at CayFilm and no other local event.

Entry into the Festival constitutes permission to exhibit your work at the 2018 CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival. CayFilm is also hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Adam Stephenson

    I was disappointed to not be able to attend what appears to have been a fantastic festival, but grateful to have our film included in the lineup. CayFilm was very straightforward in all of their communications and did their best to accommodate anyone attending with hospitality resources. I just wasn't able to capitalize on those accommodations. Hopefully next time! :)

    October 2017
  • Elisabetta Minen

    I would have liked so much to attend ! But as I saw, great organization, great communication, great quality, great value... Great! Great Festival! Compliments!

    August 2017
  • Mehmet Tığlı

    I am honoured to be a nominee in this amazing film festival.

    August 2017
  • Tim Ritter

    CayFilm was a great place to premiere Testament. High-profile guests, beautiful beaches and some new films that haven't played every other festival on the circuit (aka they'll actually watch your submission). Had a great time, made a lot of friends and was very impressed with the experience. This was only the festival's third year, but it's rising fast. Thanks, Tony, Jenn and co.! Hope to be back with the next one.

    July 2017
  • Mike Johnson

    What an AMAZING experience! In a very short time, Tony and Jenn Mark have built CayFilm into a top notch festival. I received great feedback on my film, met some fantastic people, and cannot wait to attend next year!

    July 2017