SUBMISSIONS FOR 2025 815HORTS ARE OPEN TO FILMMAKERS WORLDWIDE! This year's submission categories include: Animated, Documentary and/or Live Action short films. Submissions should not exceed 40 minutes runtime.

As part of the fourth year of 815HORTS, we are proud to partner with the Illinois Film Office on the return of the Shortcuts Short Film Contest, which is a statewide short film contest curated for Illinois students/residents ages 22 and under. The winner of Shortcuts will receive $250 and the winning short film will be automatically screened at 815HORTS. See Rules and Terms below for more contest information.

2025 815HORTS SCHEDULE
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 14-15, 2025
Details coming soon!

ABOUT 815HORTS
Built to amplify the Rockford, Illinois, region’s creative and filmmaking community, 815HORTS (pronounced 815 shorts) celebrates the fine art of short film cinematography by showcasing local, national and international short films amidst a festival format. As the festival heads into its fourth year, the program continues to expand through educational content, networking opportunities and film blocks.

2025 815HORTS PARTNERS
Premier: Illinois Film Office
OTHERS TBA!

Partnership Opportunities: Contact Nick@PlusSevenCompany.com.

2025 AWARDS CATEGORIES
- Best 5HORT (Best in Show)
- Best Animated Short
- Best Documentary Short
- Best Live Action Short
- Best Shortcuts Student Contest Winner

815HORTS Submissions: Filmmakers (local, national and global) are encouraged to submit short films for consideration by the published entru deadlines via FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/815HORTS. Animated, documentary and/or live action short film submissions are welcomed. Submissions should not exceed 40 minutes of runtime.

If selected for screening by the 815HORTS Jury, requested file formats will include high quality video files (1080p or higher .MP4). 815HORTS reserves right to amend guidelines, reschedule and/or cancel the program at any time.

Shortcuts Student Contest Rules: All Shortcuts submissions must be from Illinois students/residents who are 22 years old or younger. All submissions will be automatically submitted for screening consideration at 815HORTS. The Shortcuts winner will receive $250 and be screened at 815HORTS. Additional Shortcuts submissions may also be selected for screening by 815HORTS.

Promotional Use: Filmmakers who submit films for consideration grant legal authority to Plus Seven Company, LLC, 815HORTS, and all associated staff/volunteers to use all music, images, clips and film content for promotional use on any medium.

Submitter Responsibilities: It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant/Submitter to secure authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the submitted Project. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant/Submitter to secure authorization and permission from the owner(s) of any and all trademarked content or materials included within the submitted Project. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant/Submitter to clear all content of the Project from any and all actual or potential legal claims and issues, including, without limitation, claims based upon theories of libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of rights of publicity, theft of trade secrets, breach of confidence, breach of confidential relationship, and breach of express or implied contract (“Third Party Claim(s)”). Plus Seven Company, LLC, 815HORTS and all associated staff and volunteers expressly disavow any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any of these Submitter Responsibilities described.