Saturn Returns has a committee of programmers for our festival.

How we select the films for the festival:

Every film is reviewed by at least 3 members of the festival programming team..

No programmer will be assigned a submission if the submitting filmmaker is known to them personally.

Each programmer rates each submission on Film Freeway leaving a score or notes. 

Once the submission process is closed the core festival team meet to decide which films are selected for the official programme. If some films have mixed reviews from the programmers. They will be watched again by the core team to decide. 

We then collate responses to put films forward for nomination.

A submission that involves any of the festival or guest programming team is not eligible for nomination.

Programming involves several factors including film quality, length, originality. It’s really important to us that we adhere to a fair process to provide a varied, inspiring and entertaining programme.