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Short film festivals offer an invaluable opportunity for filmmakers. Many may not have access to the resources often necessary to produce a feature film, but they can make a short.
If that short then shows at the right short film festivals, it might just garner the exposure and connections that a filmmaker needs to take the next step in their career.
If you have a completed short, consider taking it out on the short film fest circuit. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide of the top film festivals for short films – both film festivals exclusive to short films and those with short categories.
Short films don’t often get significant notoriety in terms of broad distribution. However, they can become a filmmaker’s calling card or successful proof-of-concept for financial investment towards a feature version of the story.
Don’t sit on that short! Capitalize on your hard work and submit to these top film festivals for short films.
There’s no better place to start than events that cater specifically to short films.
Not only do these top short film festivals champion this specific medium, but also many of them have garnered the same prestige as their counterparts that cater primarily to feature films.
We’re kicking off our list with the best film festivals for short films only that are located in the United States.
Dates: November 15–16, 2024
The Windy City is an arts hub, and the Chicago International REEL Shorts Film Festival showcases the best in the short film storytelling format.
Last Chance Deadline: October 6, 2024
Deadline Fee: $55 (Short Film category)
Dates: July 23–28, 2024
It’s never too soon to prepare for next year’s short film festivals. As many of the fests on this list indicate, it can very quickly get pricey if you miss the early submission deadline – even for shorts! So mark your calendar now to submit for the Indy Shorts International Film Festival.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. August 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: July 16–19, 2024
Summer is a popular time of year for the best short film festivals, including the Boston Short Film Festival. This particular event focuses on “the unconventional, the unusual, the underground, the intuitive, the innovative, the minimalistic, and the true artists of our time.”
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. July 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: February 2025 (specific dates TBD)
Now is the perfect time to prepare your short film and materials for the Nitehawk Shorts Festival, one of the best short film festivals in New York. This wide-reaching event spotlights “short films in all forms (animation, documentary, narrative, non-narrative, artist films, music videos, horror) by local, national, and international filmmakers.”
The 2024 film festival has passed. Please check back to the NItehawk Shorts Festival website for updated information on future events in the coming months.
Dates: June 29–30, 2024
Atlanta is a major entertainment production city, so it should come as no surprise that many creatives reside there with short films to screen. Whether you call The Big A your hometown or not, consider submitting to its Atlanta ShortsFest, which returns next June. Note that you still have time to submit before its early deadline!
Final Deadline: May 27, 2024
Deadline Fee: $50 (Narrative Short category)
Dates: June 8, 2025
The western United States is home to many of the top film festivals for short films, but they’re not all in California! Case in point, the Arizona Short Film Festival, which is accepting submissions for its next event coming up in June 2025.
Regular Deadline: May 16, 2024
Deadline Fee: $25 (Best Short Film category)
Dates: April 1–7, 2024
Aspen Shortsfest isn’t just one of the top short film festivals; it is considered far and wide an exceptional film festival, period. This prestigious event comes with stiff competition, but we encourage you to throw your short into the mix before its next deadline!
The 2024 film festival has passed. Please check back to the Aspen Shortsfest website for updated information on future events in the coming months.
Dates: August 8–17, 2024
HollyShorts Film Festival has been going strong for nearly 20 years, and between its longevity and location in Hollywood, it is a highly anticipated event for the quality of its short film programming each season.
Late Deadline: May 10, 2024
Deadline Fee: $70 (Short Live Action category)
Dates: May 3–5, 2025
Cousin to Hollyshorts is the Hollywood Comedy Shorts. As its name implies, this event is one of the best film festivals for shorts within the comedy genre. Dark comedy, rom com, cringe comedy, horror comedy, they want it all!
Earlybird Deadline: December 1, 2024
Deadline Fee: $35 (Dark Comedy category)
Dates: July 8–31, 2024
That’s right, folks. We still haven’t left Los Angeles. But you shouldn’t either if you haven’t yet submitted to the LA Shorts International Film Festival! This esteemed event, which has been highlighting the best in short film for more than 25 years, should be on your submission short list for this year.
Late Deadline: May 31, 2024
Deadline Fee: $70 (Live Action category)
Dates: April 4–6, 2025
Rounding out our LA-based short film festivals is the Los Angeles Short Film Festival. As the event notes, “Film festivals are still the best place to screen independent work and get it noticed.” It is currently accepting submissions for its April 2025 event.
Earlybird Deadline, Phase 1: May 31, 2024
Deadline Fee: $30 (Short of Any Genre category)
Dates: February 27–March 2, 2025
The best short film festivals aren’t just about showcasing your work; it’s also about making meaningful connections with others in the industry. That’s exactly what you’ll find at the McMinnville Short Film Festival, which prides itself on celebrating and bringing together the filmmaking community.
Earlybird Deadline: June 15, 2024
Deadline Fee: $40 (Drama category)
Dates: March 29–30, 2025
We’re back to California! But LA isn’t the only town with the top short film festivals. Oakland Short Film Festival’s goal of creating “a festival where independent short films of all genres and countries of origin get the recognition they deserve” makes it an event that every short filmmaker should consider for their projects.
Regular Deadline: May 14, 2024
Deadline Fee: $28 (Best Short Film category)
Dates: November 10, 2024
Unlike the other best film festivals for shorts that we’ve covered so far, the Oregon Short Film Festival gives filmmakers multiple chances throughout the year to have their work shown. This seasonal event, which is part of the larger Film Festival Circuit, offers winter, summer, and fall showcases for filmmakers and film lovers.
Discount Deadline: May 31, 2024
Deadline Fee: $50 (Drama Film category)
Dates: June 18–24, 2024
The Palm Springs International ShortFest is cousin to the illustrious Palm Springs International Film Festival and is no less impactful for the filmmakers who are accepted into this event. You have several weeks before its early bird deadline, but don’t wait on getting your project together for this must-enter festival.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. September 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: August 16–18, 2024
Remember when we mentioned the benefits of making connections through the film festival circuit? Salute Your Shorts Festival emphasizes that “community is one of our core values and thus selected filmmakers are adopted into our filmmaking family.” Reason enough to enter.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. September 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: October 17–20, 2024
Last on our list of the top film festivals for short films only within the United States is the San Jose International Short Film Festival. This event has categories for short live action, comedy, family shorts, documentary, sci-fi, and thriller/suspense, so no matter your film’s genre, there’s a place for it at this fest.
Regular Deadline: June 1, 2024
Deadline Fee: $45 (Short Live Action category)
Want to see how your film resonates with audiences outside the United States? We’ve got you covered! Learn more about the best film festivals for shorts across the globe.
Dates: April 17–24, 2024
The Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival is first up on our list of international short film festivals you should consider. Why? As an event that celebrates the very best in short films, it also happens to be an Academy Award-qualifying event!
The 2024 film festival has passed. Please check back to the Rio do Janeiro International Short Film Festival website for updated information on future events in the coming months.
Dates: August 22–25, 2024
The Toronto Shorts International Film Festival says what all short filmmakers think: “We feel that short-form cinema and its creators should have their own premier film festival in Toronto deserving similar recognition given to the feature film and its creators.” Given the way this event champions short films and their makers, why wouldn’t you want to submit?
Extended Deadline: June 7, 2024
Deadline Fee: $66 (International Shorts category)
Dates: October 11–31, 2024
As if anyone needs an excuse to go to New Zealand, right? The Show Me Shorts Film Festival, which has been going strong for nearly 20 years, makes it a point to celebrate both New Zealand filmmakers and those from the rest of the world.
Late Deadline: June 1, 2024
Deadline Fee: $40 (International Films category)
Dates: January 31–February 8, 2025
Many of the best film festivals for shorts mentioned so far are maybe 10 to 20 years old. Not bad for events that showcase only shorts. But the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival is celebrating its 42nd anniversary in 2025! The deadline for next January’s event is still several months away, so make sure to submit – for free.
Deadline: July 11, 2024 (for films completed in 2023 only) & October 3, 2024 (for films completed in 2024)
Deadline Fee: €11
Dates: July 13–21, 2024
Another heavy hitter on the short film circuit, the Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival has more relaxed requirements. Filmmakers can submit shorts up to 60 minutes that are animated, documentaries, fiction films, experimental, or music videos.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. July 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: August 2–10, 2024
DokuFest is an event that celebrates many types of creators – narrative filmmakers, documentarians, and musicians. This celebration of all things artistic has been highlighting the best of film and music for more than 20 years.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. October 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: November 5–10, 2024
What sets the best short film festivals apart from the rest is the recognition that the short movie medium is its own unique artform. That’s exactly how the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur promotes its event dedicated to short films. Like several of the international events mentioned so far, this fest is free to submit to, so add it to your list.
Submission Deadline: July 14, 2024
Deadline Fee: FREE!!
Dates: December 2–10, 2022
Many of the best short film festivals run for just a few days given the shorter run times that take up less space on the schedule. This makes the Leuven International Short Film Festival, which is a full week, all the more impressive for the numerous short movies they highlight.
International Deadline: August 15, 2024
Deadline Fee: €14
Dates: June 29–July 6, 2024
Another fest with a 20-year history of showcasing great short films, the ShorTS International Film Festival also has a program with shorts geared specifically towards the under 15-crowd. Have a short that’s kid-friendly? Submit it to the ShorTS International Film Festival!
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. November 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: August 13–17, 2024
Europe is home to many of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, but as this list indicates, it’s also home to some of the best venues that specifically celebrate short film! Shortynale is part of that list. Add it to yours for next year’s showcase of great short storytelling.
The 2024 Shortynale submission deadlines and submission fees have not been published as of this writing. Please check back to the Shortynale website for updated information.
Dates: March 5–9, 2025
Did you know there’s a film festival dedicated solely to showcasing short films that’s been around for over 50 years? The Tampere Film Festival has built a much-deserved reputation for its devotion to this medium, and its 55th event is coming up in March 2025.
Earlybird Deadline: September 1, 2024
Deadline Fee: €11 (International Competition category)
Dates: May 28–June 2, 2024
The final entry for the best film festivals for shorts only is Vienna Shorts. For nearly 20 years, it has made its focus short films. Impressively, this fest highlights close to 300 works by short filmmakers, providing a substantial platform for creatives who work in this medium.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. August 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
If you have a short film, you don’t have to limit yourself to short-only film festivals. In fact, many of the world’s most prestigious film festivals cater to both feature and short filmmakers and can provide great exposure for those in the latter category.
All right, below is a cross-section of film festivals in the United States that – while not exclusive to short films – offer short film categories for creatives with qualifying projects.
Dates: October 16–27, 2024
We’re heading back to the Midwest and one of its most renown events: the Chicago International Film Festival. For 60 years, this Windy City institution has been providing a stage for short filmmakers.
Regular Deadline: June 10, 2024
Deadline Fee: $60 (Short Subjects category)
Dates: April 2025 (specific dates TBD)
The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has put a spotlight on all things creative for more than 60 years. New Directors/New Films, which is produced by Film at Lincoln Center, is a must for any short filmmaker wanting to showcase their work in the Big Apple.
The 2025 film festival dates, New Directors/New Films submission deadlines, and submission fees have not yet been published as of now. Please check back to the New Directors/New Films website for updated information in the coming months.
Dates: September 27–October 13, 2024
Film at Lincoln Center offers multiple opportunities for short filmmakers. New Directors/New Films is one of those opportunities, and the New York Film Festival is another. This event, which is closing in on its 62nd year, offers incredible exposure for any short filmmaker whose project is accepted into its programming schedule.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. February 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: June 5–16, 2024
New York is second to none when it comes to the number of events in this city that celebrate film. The Tribeca Festival, co-founded by none other than Robert De Niro, is yet another Big Apple event that gives space and exposure to short filmmakers from around the world.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. September 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: April 24–May 4, 2025
Atlanta’s reputation as a hub of entertainment activity makes it an ideal spot for one of the nation’s best film festivals for short films. The Atlanta Film Festival, which is going into its 48th year, “actively strives to be an inclusive showcase with spotlights on filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ films, women and gender nonconforming filmmakers, and filmmakers from the American South.”
Hella Early Deadline: May 31, 2024
Deadline Fee: $35 (Narrative Short category)
Dates: September 19–25, 2024
Not to be outdone is the Nashville Film Festival, which will be holding its 55th event this fall. As the oldest film festival in the South, NashFilm “discovers, elevates, and honors filmmakers, screenwriters, and music makers from around the world while engaging, connecting, and strengthening the community.”
Late Deadline: June 3, 2024
Deadline Fee: $70 (Narrative Shorts Competition category)
Dates: September 24–29, 2024
Who knew that the American Southeast had so many of the best film festivals for shorts? This time, we’re heading to Virginia for the Richmond International Film Festival.
Among its short categories are Narrative Short Film, Documentary Short Film, Experimental Short Film, and Animated Short Film. G This festival gives short filmmakers of every genre an opportunity to showcase their work through this event.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. August 2024 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: October 24–31, 2024
The Austin Film Festival is among the best short film festivals in the United States, and one of two located in Austin that made our list. Like Atlanta, Austin is known as a city for creatives – “Keep Austin Weird” anyone? – so be sure to consider this event that celebrates filmmakers of all kinds on your to-enter list.
Regular Deadline: May 17, 2024
Deadline Fee: $70 (Narrative Short category)
Dates: March 2025 (specific dates TBD)
You can’t have a list of the best film festivals for short films without the SXSW Film Festival. Also located in Austin, this event has been providing a platform for filmmakers and their projects since its first fest all the way back in 1987.
The 2025 film festival dates, SXSW Film Festival submission deadlines, and submission fees have not yet been published as of now. Please check back to the SXSW Film Festival website for updated information in the coming months.
Dates: February 20–26, 2025
The Slamdance Film Festival no longer stands in the shadow of the Sundance Film Festival – if it ever did. So why is it one of the best film festivals for shorts? This event has “created a track record for showcasing breakthrough artists that is beyond dispute.” They’re not wrong, so see for yourself how this event can be a gamechanger for your career.
Earlybird Deadline: July 8, 2024
Deadline Fee: $45 (Narrative Shorts category)
Dates: January 23–February 2, 2025
Many consider Sundance to be one of the best film festivals for shorts in the entire world. For over forty years, this event has put a spotlight on the most innovative cinema from indie filmmakers.
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival submission deadlines and submission fees have not yet been published as of now. Please check back to the Sundance Film Festival website for updated information in the coming months.
Dates: September 2023 (specific dates TBA)
Many of the best short film festivals can be found outside the United States, such as the Toronto International Film Festival. This event offers both Canadian Shorts and International Shorts categories, giving creatives from anywhere around the world the opportunity to have their works screened at it.
The 2023 film festival dates, Toronto International Film Festival submission deadlines, and submission fees have not yet been published as of now. Please check back to TIFF’s website for updated information in the coming months.
Dates: November 5–11, 2024
We’re crossing the Atlantic once more and heading back to Europe to highlight some of the best film festivals for shorts. This time, we’re starting off with… the American Film Festival? You read that right. It’s a film festival hosted in Poland that specifically showcases American filmmakers and their works.
Deadline: July 25, 2024
Deadline Fee: Please check out the website directly for submission costs.
Dates: February 2025 (specific dates TBD)
The greater the notoriety, the greater the competition. The prestigious Berlin Film Festival can be a career-making event for any short filmmaker.
The 2025 film festival dates, Berlin Film Festival submission deadlines, and submission fees have not yet been published as of now. Please check back to the Berlin Film Festival website for updated information in the coming months.
Dates: May 14–25, 2024
This is likely no greater stage for a filmmaker than the Cannes Film Festival. Yes, it is a hugely competitive event, but it can change the trajectory of any short filmmaker’s career should they get into this best of the best film festivals for shorts.
The 2024 submission deadlines and submission fees have not yet been published as of now. Please check back to the Cannes Film Festival website for updated information in the coming months.
Dates: August 15–21, 2024
Here we have both one of the best short film festivals and one of the oldest. The Edinburgh International Film Festival clocks in at 77 years old and prides itself on being “intimate in scale and ambitious in its artistic scope,” which is reflected in its emphasis on animated and experimental short films.
All deadlines for the 2024 film festival have passed. January 2025 is the estimated opening period for the next submission cycle.
Dates: June 18–27, 2025
We’re traveling back to the UK for the Raindance Film Festival, which is the largest independent film festival in the country. This particular event makes our list of the best short film festivals in part on account of its diverse category offerings, which include Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Animation Short, and Queer Short.
Earlybird Deadline: December 4, 2024
Deadline Fee: £33
Dates: August 28–September 7, 2024 (specific dates TBA)
We have arrived at the last of our best short film festivals, the Venice Film Festival. Like Cannes, Berlin, and Sundance, this event is widely anticipated each year and known around the world for its stellar lineup of films. Certainly an event that can quickly propel a filmmaker’s career forward, the Venice Film Festival is a fest to strongly consider during your fest run.
Please refer to the Venice Film Festival’s website directly for all submission deadline and deadline fee information.
And there you have it – the best short film festivals from around the world.
These events can provide a pivotal opportunity to share your work with the greater film community and meet others in the industry, so don’t wait for someone to ask to see your movie. Plan your film fest run today so that in the weeks and months to come you too can showcase your short film through these top film festivals for short films.
Got a feature film you want to submit? Check out what fests to submit to, and no matter what, make sure you know how to best prepare for your film fest run.
At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances.
Anna Keizer originally hails from the Chicagoland area. After receiving her B.A. in Film/Video from Columbia College Chicago, she moved to California and finished her M.A. in Film Studies from Chapman University. She has also graduated from UCLA’s Writing for Television Professional Program and is currently in post-production on the short She Had It Coming, which she wrote and is executive producing.
