Part Four


Festivals 

Which feature film festivals have important shorts sections?

East End Film Festival 2011


Best UK Short - "This year's lineup of short films is exceptional and arguably now the strongest selection you'll see in London outside of specialist short film festivals".

Glasgow Film Festival


Glasgow Best International Short Film Award - "Glasgow Short Film Festival celebrates inspiration and innovation in new cinema".

Rushes Soho Shorts Festival


The Short Film Award - "Generally the entrant will have directed a number of short format pieces whether that be documentary, short film, animation, music promo or commercial work".

London Surf/Film Festival


The Shorties Contest - "Short film making has always been the creative hub of the surf film world. Here at the London Surf Film Festival we want to celebrate the short and give home grown talent a platform to bring their visions to the surf world".

London Short Film Festival


Best Film of the Festival, VX Auteur Theory Award, Horror Award, Fortean Times Award, Music Doc Award, Music Video Award, Comedy Award, Experimental Film Award, Time Out London Film Award, Women's Film Award, Lo-Budget Award, Animation Award, Teenage Jury Award, Trick of the Light Award, Documentary Award - "With over 200 short films, the London Short Film Festival’s programme is exclusively with the work of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming filmmakers".

Leeds International Film Festival


The Best of Short Film City Showcase - "We will be showcasing the best of this year’s Short Film City programme section which is dedicated to the short film form including international and UK competitions".

Manchester European Short Film Festival


The Award for Best Film, The Best Northern Film, AudienceChoice Award, The Best Student Film Award, The Kinofilm Award for Best European Film - "
Since 1995, Kinofilm has supported over 3000 filmmakers, screening short films from over 20,000 international submissions".

Bristol International Film Festival 


Brief Encounters - "
Brief Encounters is the competitive strand for both live action and animated short films, leading a major celebration of today’s leading short filmmaking talent from all around the world".

BFI London Film Festival


Short Cuts and Animation - "Short and sweet: live action, animation and family films".

Endinburgh International Film Festival


Nokia Shorts Weekend - "A three day celebration of short film including workshops, masterclasses and premiere screenings of the eight finalists from the Nokia Shorts 2011 competition".



 
How do the festivals market and promote themselves?
  • posters
  • adverts

Who attends them?
  • actors
  • producers
  • directors
  • agencies
  • film critics
  • film fans

How are they supported?

What have you noticed about the structure/style of the sites?

They have tabs at the top of the page with hyperlinks like "News", "How to Book" and " Awards". For example, the awards page lists more hyperlinks, such as "Judges", "categories" and "previous winners". Their layout is clear and precise so its easy to navigate around the site in order to find things, like tickets, awards, films that are showing and venues. Most of them have similar layouts.




What are the key international festivals for short films?

AFI FEST (California, USA)
Grand Jury Prize for International Short Film
www.afi.com/onscreen/AFIFest

ACADEMIA DE LAS ARTES Y CIENCIAS CINEMATOGRAFICAS DE ESPAÑA (Spain)
Goya Award for Best Short Fiction
Goya Award for Best Short Animation
http://www.academiadecine.com/

ACADÉMIE DES ARTS ET TECHNIQUES DU CINÉMA [CÉSAR] (France)
Best Short Film
http://www.lescesarsducinema.com/

ACADEMY OF CANADIAN CINEMA & TELEVISION [GENIE] (Canada)
Best Live Action Short
Best Animated Short
http://www.academy.ca/

ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES [Student Academy Awards] (California, USA)
Gold Medal - Alternative
Gold Medal - Animation
Gold Medal - Narrative
Gold Medal - Foreign Film
http://www.oscars.org/

ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL (Michigan, USA)
Best of the Festival
Lawrence Kasdan Award for Best Narrative Film
Gus Van Sant Award for Best Experimental Film
Chris Frayne Award for Best Animated Film
http://www.aafilmfest.org/

ANNECY FESTIVAL INT'L DU CINEMA D'ANIMATION (France)
Le Cristal d’Annecy       
Special Jury Award
http://www.annecy.org/

ASPEN SHORTSFEST (Colorado, USA)
Animated Eye Award
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Best Short Short
http://www.aspenfilm.org/

ATHENS  INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (Ohio, USA)
Best Narrative
Best Animation
Best Experimental
http://www.athensfest.org/

ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL (Georgia, USA)
Best Animated Short
Best Narrative Short
http://www.atlantafilmfestival.com/

AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL (Texas, USA)
Narrative Short Jury Award
Animated Short Jury Award
http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/

BERLIN INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (Germany)
Golden Bear - International Shorts Competition
http://www.berlinale.de/

BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Bermuda)
Bermuda Shorts Award Winner
http://www.biff.bm/

BILBAO INT'L FESTIVAL OF DOCUMENTARY & SHORT FILMS (Spain)
Grand Prize of the Bilbao Festival
http://www.zinebi.com/

BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS [BAFTA] AWARDS (England)
Best Short Film
Best Short Animation Film
http://www.bafta.org/

CANADIAN FILM CENTRE’S WORLDWIDE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (Canada)
Best Live Action Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
http://www.worldwideshortfilmfest.com/

CANNES FESTIVAL INT'L DU FILM (France)
Palme d’Or (Short Films)
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/

CARTAGENA INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (Colombia)
Best Short Animation - Golden Catalina Indian
Best Short Fiction - Golden Catalina Indian
http://www.festicinecartagena.org/

CHICAGO INT’L CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL  (Illinois, USA)
Adult Jury First Place - Animated Short
Adult Jury First Place - Live Action Short
http://www.cicff.org/

CHICAGO INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (Illinois, USA)
Golden Hugo for Best Short Film
http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org/

CINANIMA INT'L ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL (Portugal)
Grand Prize
http://www.cinanima.pt/

CINEQUEST FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)         
Best Short Narrative
Best Short Animation
http://www.cinequest.org/

CLERMONT-FERRAND INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (France)
International Grand Prix
National Grand Prix      
http://www.clermont-filmfest.com/

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Ohio, USA)
Best Short Narrative
Best Animated Short Film
http://www.clevelandfilm.org/

DAVID DI DONATELLO AWARD [ACCADEMIA DEL CINEMA ITALIANO] (Italy)
Best Short Film
http://www.daviddidonatello.it/

ENCOUNTERS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (U.K.)
Brief Encounters Grand Prix
Animated Encounters Grand Prix
http://www.encounters-festival.org.uk/

FESTIVAL DE CINE DE HUESCA (Spain)
International Short Films Contest - Danzante Award
Iberoamerican Short Films Contest - Danzante Award
http://www.huesca-filmfestival.com/

FLICKERFEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS FESTIVAL (Australia)
The Coopers Award for Best Short Film
The Yoram Gross Award for Best Animation
http://www.flickerfest.com.au/

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL (Florida, USA)
Best Narrative Short
Best Animated Short
http://www.floridafilmfestival.com/

FOYLE FILM FESTIVAL (Ireland)
Best Irish Short Film
Best International Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
http://www.foylefilmfestival.org/

GIJON INT'L FILM FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (Spain)
Premio Principado De Asturios Al Mejor Cortometraje (Best Short Film)
http://www.gijonfilmfestival.com/

GUANAJUATO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, EXPRESION EN CORTO (Mexico)
Best International Animation
Best International Fiction
http://www.guanajuatofilmfestival.com/

THE HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (New York, USA)
Golden Starfish Best Short Film Award
http://www.hamptonsfilmfest.org/

HIROSHIMA INT'L ANIMATION FESTIVAL (Japan)
Grand Prix
www.urban.ne.jp/home/hiroanim/

KRAKOW FILM FESTIVAL (Poland)
The Golden Dragon
http://www.kff.com.pl/

LOCARNO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL (Switzerland)
Golden Leopard – Best Short Film, International Competition
Golden Leopard – Best Short Film, National Competition
http://www.pardo.ch/

LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)
Best Animated/Experimental Short Film
Best Narrative Short Film
http://www.lafilmfest.com/

LOS ANGELES INT’L. SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)
Best of the Fest
Best Foreign Film
Best Drama Film
Best Comedy Film
Best Animation Film
Best Experimental Film
http://www.lashortsfest.com/

LOS ANGELES LATINO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)
Best Short
http://www.latinofilm.org/

MELBOURNE INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (Australia)
The City of Melbourne Grand Prix, Best Short Film
Best Fiction Short Film
Best Animated Short Film
http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/

MONTREAL FESTIVAL DU NOUVEAU CINEMA (Canada)
Best Short Film - International
http://www.nouveaucinema.ca/

MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL (Canada)
First Prize - Short Film
http://www.ffm-montreal.org/

MORELIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Mexico)
Best Animated Short Film
Best Fiction Short Film
http://www.moreliafilmfest.com/

NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL (Tennessee, USA)
Best Animated Short
Best Live Action Short
http://www.nashvillefilmfestival.org/

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL
Best Short Film
http://www.gkids.com/

NORDISK PANORAMA - 5 CITIES FILM FESTIVAL (Five Nordic Countries)
Best Nordic Short Film
http://www.nordiskpanorama.com/

OBERHAUSEN INT'L SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (Germany)
Grand Prize of the City of Oberhausen
http://www.kurzfilmtage.de/

OTTAWA INT'L ANIMATION FESTIVAL (Canada)
Best Independent Short
www.awn.com/ottawa

PALM SPRINGS INT'L FESTIVAL OF SHORT FILMS (California, USA)
Best of the Festival Award
Best Animation
Best Live Action (15 minutes and under)
Best Live Action (over 15 minutes)
http://www.psfilmfest.org/

RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Rhode Island, USA)
Grand Prize, Short Film
http://www.film-festival.org/

RIO DE JANEIRO INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (Brazil)
Grand Prix - International Competition
Grand Prix - National Competition
http://www.curtacinema.com.br/

ST. LOUIS INT’L FILM FESTIVAL (Missouri, USA)
Best of the Festival
Best Live Action Short Film
Best Animation Short Film
http://www.cinemastlouis.org/

SAN FRANCISCO INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)
Golden Gate Award Narrative Short
Golden Gate Award Animated Short
http://www.sffs.org/

SANTA BARBARA INT’L FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)
Bruce C. Corwin Award - Best Live Action Short Film
Bruce C. Corwin Award - Best Animation Short Film
http://www.sbfilmfestival.org/

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (Washington, USA)
Best Narrative Short Film
Best Animation Short Film
http://www.seattlefilm.com/

SHORTSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL (California, USA)
Best of Festival Award - Grand Prix
http://www.shortshorts.org/

SIGGRAPH (USA)
Best of Show
http://www.siggraph.org/

SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL (Utah, USA)
Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short
Grand Jury Prize for Best Animated Short
http://www.slamdance.com/

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST (Texas, USA)
Best Animated Short
Best Narrative Short
http://www.sxsw.com/

STUTTGART INT'L ANIMATION FESTIVAL (Germany)
Grand Prix International Competition
http://www.itfs.de/

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL (Utah, USA)
Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking
Jury Prize in International Short Filmmaking
http://www.festival.sundance.org/

SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL (Australia)
Dendy Award - Best Australian Short Film – Live Action
Yoram Gross Animation Award
http://www.sydneyfilmfestival.org/

TAMPERE INT’L SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (Finland)   
Grand Prix - International Competition
National Main Prize (under 30 minutes)
http://www.tamperefilmfestival.fi/

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL (New York, USA)
Best Narrative Short
http://www.tribecafilm.com/

UPPSALA INT'L SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (Sweden)
Grand Prix
Best Swedish Short Film
http://www.shortfilmfestival.com/

USA FILM FESTIVAL - NATIONAL SHORT FILM & VIDEO COMPETITION (Texas, USA)
Fiction First Place
Animation First Place
http://www.usafilmfestival.com/

VENICE INT'L FILM FESTIVAL (Italy)
Corto Cortissimo Silver Lion - Best Short Film
www.labiennale.org/en/cinema

ZAGREB WORLD FESTIVAL OF ANIMATED FILMS (Croatia)
Grand Prix - Best Short Film at Festival
http://www.animafest.hr/




Student Film Festivals:

http://www.studentfilm.org.uk/festivals/listings/:

International Student Film Festival
The Student Academy Awards
Cambridge International Student Film Festival
The National Student Film Festival
Student Moving Image Festival of Wales
Appledore Visual Arts Festival
Cinemagic World Screen Film Festival for Young People
Young Independent Film and Television Awards
Co-operative Young Film-Makers Festival
Student Film Festival Awards
Exposures: New Talent in Moving Image
Winchester University Film Festival
Half Cut Film Festival
Cam*Era- The Cambridge International Student Film Festival
Artrix Student Film Festival




Online Short Film Festivals:

The Shcweppes Short Film Festival
Virgin Media Shorts
The BBC Film Network
The National Screen Institute

Advantages:
  • Free
  • Watch it anytime/on demand.
  • Watch it from the comfort from your home, etc.
  • Watch it as many times as you like.

Disadvantages:
  • You won't get to see/meet people of the industry (you can't make contacts).
  • You can't watch it on the big screen, etc.
  • You won't see any of the awards being given out.
  • You won't experience/be part of the festival atmosphere.