A short film can be a calling card or a proof-of-concept that helps finance a feature. Some filmmakers just love working in the medium and seeing where it takes them. Either way, if you’re making a short, chances are you’re up against the same strenuous elements as a feature.
At some point, you’ll need to start planning your festival strategy. Remember, entry fees add up quickly, so leave about $1,000 in the bank for submission fees, and submit to festivals on a rolling basis. This gives you time to generate buzz around your film and wait for programmers to come to YOU with invites and entry fee waivers.
Making the most of your festival experience as a short filmmaker is priority #1, and finding festivals that offer a well-rounded experience for you and your team should be included in your overall strategy. We’ve come up with some questions to ask to help you gauge whether a festival is a good choice for your short.
Does the fest want your premiere? Some festivals require regional premiere status, such as “West Coast” or “North America,” even for shorts. Check the festival’s site for premiere requirements and submit to your top 3-5 in each region.
What is the cost of entry? Entry fees range from $15 - $100 per festival, however, most festivals give discounts for “early” submissions.
How many screenings do I get? The more screenings, the better! Festivals that schedule multiple screenings for shorts programs tend to provide a better experience all around. Also, check out venue sizes and locations.
Do you want to win an Oscar? If you think your short is Oscar-worthy, then look for festivals that qualify shorts for the Oscars and other major awards. Also, be on the lookout out for cash prizes and special jury prizes. Winning “audience choice” will likely send programmers calling.
Will traveling expenses cost me an arm and a leg? See if the festival can cover your flight there, and ask about discounts for accommodations and homestay programs.
Do they play shorts before features? Having your short programmed before a feature film is like having your own private screening with a much larger audience. Usually, the films are paired together by the festival team based on a specific theme.
Is there an active film market? A film market means an industry presence. Having a chance to sell to distributors means your short can have a life after its festival run.
Does the festival have a niche audience? Some festivals showcase films around a particular genre or subject. If your film falls into one of their categories, you might have a better shot at getting in.
Do shorts get Q&As? Having a Q&A is an important part of the experience. It’s a chance to engage with audience members and talk about what inspired you to make your film.
We’ve compiled a list of festivals, mostly by word-of-mouth, that short and mid-length filmmakers reportedly had an awesome experience at!
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
February // Free!
Considered the Cannes for shorts, Clermont ISFF boasts 600 screenings,160,000 attendees, and 3,500 industry professionals. The Film Market started 30 years ago with the mission to “raise the economic profile of short films," providing an avenue for distribution and sales. There’s also a library called Short Film Depot dedicated to the preservation of short films. Awards are determined by a small jury composed of well-respected filmmakers, and of course, it’s a “qualifying” fest to all the major awards.
April // $80
Aspen Shortsfest is one of the premier short film festivals in North America. Film programmers go there to discover new and exciting shorts. Each award comes with a significant cash prize from a sponsor. A National Premiere is required. Lodging can be a little pricey in the upscale ski town, so plan to share an Airbnb or split hotel costs with your team or other attending filmmakers.
Palm Springs International ShortsFest
June // $75
Just a stone’s throw from La La Land, Palm Springs International ShortsFest is one of the largest short film showcases in North America, attracting over 22,000 filmgoers. Its Film Market draws a huge industry presence. The festival’s also Oscar, BAFTA, and Los Premios Goya-qualifying. Over 100 shorts have gone on to receive Oscar nominations. The ShortFest Forum provides a series of free panels, master classes, and roundtable discussions designed to educate and provide networking opportunities, along with one-on-ones with industry pros, and a “Meet the Programmers” that puts you in touch with top festival “gatekeepers.”
November // $50
Billed as the “ultimate film, food, and wine” experience and located in the heart of wine country, Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) provides a unique experience for all festival-goers. It’s a breath of fresh air from the multiplex experience. Historic opera houses and wineries are converted into cozy screening rooms where the wine flows freely. Driving or renting a car is recommended as screening take place across the valley, from Sonoma to St. Helena. NVFF also has a homestay program for filmmakers on a travel budget.
November // Free!
A blend of cinema, theater, and mixed-media arts, Cucalorus is a cool and eclectic fest. There’s no entry fee; just send a copy of your film to their office in Wilmington, North Carolina. Over 100 films make it onto their lineup each year. Shorts programs are as eclectic as the festival itself. The programming team does not divide shorts into categories or genres.
August // $55
With over 280 screenings across LA and attracting programmers from all over, LA Shorts is the only festival with 7 recognized award categories for shorts. The festival’s year round programming supports filmmakers with funding and educational programming. The festival also uses its website to spotlight a new short film every week.
September // $25
Encounters is the UK’s leading short film festival with a space built out entirely for virtual reality and 360-degree filmmaking. The festival takes place in Bristol, where you can enjoy screenings, special events, networking, masterclasses, and workshops. At the heart of the festival lies the Encounters International Competition – one of the world’s leading international competitions for short film and animation. Immersive Encounters is a competition for 360-degree filmmaking.
Here are a few genre festivals we recommend for shorts:
April // $35
Got a doc? Hot Docs is the perfect fest for short documentaries. Based in Ontario, Canada, its industry conference and market offers exceptional professional development, networking, and business opportunities. Hot Docs’ film funds have supported 187 Canadian and international documentary projects through no-interest loans and grants that total nearly $4 million.
Annecy International Animated Film Festival
June // Free!
If your short is animated, you’ll feel right at home at Annecy International, the biggest animation showcase in the world, accepting all formats from 2D/3D, papercraft, to mixed-media. The festival is a one-of-a-kind, immersive experience, set against the French Alps, with screenings taking place all around town, including open-air night projections in the historic town square. The MIFA market and pitch sessions allow filmmakers to pitch animated projects in development to a room of accredited investors, producers, and industry professionals.
July // $50
It’s official! Our friends at Outfest are now an Oscar-qualifying festival for shorts. As a year-round organization, Outfest works to preserve the legacy of LGBT cinema and support emerging filmmakers. The shorts programs are curated around powerful themes in the LGBT community. The 2-week festival attracts over 40,000 attendees and screenings take place all across LA’s best theater venues: DGA, Ace Theater, The Ford Amphitheater, and REDCAT.
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
October // $40
The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFF) has generated very positive word of mouth from filmmakers who have attended. It’s the oldest non-fiction festival in North America and an Academy-qualifying festival in the category of Documentary Short Subject. The city’s colorful past as one of Al Capone’s old haunts adds to its character along with the turn-of-the-century buildings that make up Bath House Row. The experience is fun, intimate - you’re guaranteed to leave the festival with new friends and collaborators.
Have you already ridden the festival circuit with a short or mid-length film? Share your experiences and recommendations in our comments below!
