The ShortList Rules & Guidelines
By submitting a project, the applicant agrees to the terms and conditions of The ShortList’s rules and guidelines and acknowledges that they have read, understood and agree to the rules and guidelines.
1. Entries must be 40 minutes or shorter, including credits.
2. The Applicant is legally authorized to enter the film and warrants that the film is not subject to any claims, lawsuits, or disputes.
3. The films premiere cannot have occurred prior to January 1, 2021
4. Entries that are available online or have been publicly broadcast are ineligible. Films that have been screened with restricted availability as part of an online film festival are eligible to submit.
5. All Non-English language voices must be subtitled in English.
6. Works in progress are accepted, however, only one version of a film will be evaluated. We cannot guarantee that revisions and updates will be reviewed.
7. Fee Waivers are not provided for any projects.
8. Each submitted film goes through an involved judging process, and is screened in its entirety.
9. Premiere status does not affect eligibility.
10. By entering, you represent and affirm that your entry is an original creative work, and does not infringe, misappropriate or violate the copyright, trademark or other intellectual rights of any third party. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials in the film. The Applicant releases and discharges The ShortList and it’s affiliates, employees and agents from any and all claims, demands or causes of actions related to misappropriation or infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising out of or relating to selecting this film.
11. If a film is selected for the annual ShortList, the applicant grants The ShortList the right to use excerpted clips, still images and/or titles, names, and information from or relating to the film for promotional purposes in all media and online. This includes excerpted clips, still images, titles, information, trailers, and film posters. As well as the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the film and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information.
12. The Short List reserves the right to disqualify, without refund, any entry which is in violation of The Short List’s rules and guidelines.
13. All decisions by the jury are final and may not be disputed.
14. Due to the amount of entries, no Feedback on films will be provided.
15. No refunds will be given, regardless of reason (including withdrawals). Please take this into account before submitting.
16. The ShortList is announced every February.
17. The ShortList does not conduct public screenings or host live events.
18. To be considered, the applicant must complete the entry process on The ShortList website or on FilmFreeway, and pay the entry fee. Entry form(s) must be completed in English. All streaming links must remain active through the announcement dates. Entries submitted on the ShortList website must provide a password protected streaming link.
19. All filmmakers must be 18 years of age or older on the date of submission.
20. Employees, officers, directors, contractors and agents, and their immediate families or members of the same households are not eligible to particiate.
21. The ShortList entrants retain all rights to their films.
22. The submitting filmmaker must be either a producer or the director of the film.
23. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.
24. The ShortList reserves the right to retain a preview copy of entries selected for The ShortList.
25. The ShortList reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees, any entry which is in violation of the rules, guidelines and instructions provided by The ShortList.
26. The entrant agrees to indemnify and hold The ShortList, its employees, contractors, agents and judges harmless from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, losses, damages and liabilities, including but not limited to attorney's fees and court costs, which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and/or publicity to the film entered, and agree to reimburse The ShortList for any expenses that may be incurred as a result of these claims.
27. There is not an annual list made for each category. There is only one annual list comprising films across all categories and combined into one annual ShortList.
28. Any issues that are not addressed or foreseen by these rules will be decided by The ShortList. All decisions are final.
If you're on the hunt for 2024's top short film festivals?
International Short Film Competition
29. The Qualified Countries discount applies to films that were produced or co-produced with NO CONNECTION to Australia, Canada, countries of the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, or the United States. All other countries qualify for the discount. Any film claiming this discount and having a connection to one of these countries will be disqualified. We encourage filmmakers to enter the International Short Film Competition. English subtitles are required.
Try the ShortList Short Film Competition.
