Established in 2022 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.

2023 815HORTS SCHEDULE^
- 12 p.m. - A 5HORT Lunch + Learn (limited access, offsite)
- 3 p.m. - Doors Open at RPL Nordlof Center
- 3:15 p.m. - 815HORTS Matinees
- 5 p.m. - 2023 Sundance Film Festival Shorts Tour
- 7 p.m. - 815HORTS Prime Time
- 8:45 p.m. - 5HORT Talk featuring Bing Liu
- 9:30 p.m. - Awards + Closing Remarks
^ Note: Program and times subject to change.

815HORTS PARTNERS
- Presenting Partners: City of Rockford + Rockford Film Office
- Premier Partner: Illinois Film Office
- Supporting Partner: Ron Clewer
- In-Kind: RPL Nordlof Center, City Stage Studios, District Bar & Grill
- Nonprofit Partner: Rockford Public Library Foundation (A portion of proceeds benefit the RPL Library Foundation.)

Best 5HORT; Best Local/Regional 5HORT

815HORTS Submissions: Filmmakers (local, national and global) are encouraged to submit short films for consideration by Friday, October 27, 2023 via FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/815HORTS. Fiction, nonfiction, documentary, experimental, animation, music video and other short film/video genres are welcomed. If selected for screening by the 815HORTS Jury, requested file formats will include Blu Ray and/or high quality video files (1080p or higher .MP4). 815HORTS reserves right to amend guidelines, reschedule and/or cancel the program at any time. 815HORTS may be featured as a showcase or competition format.

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.

815HORTS Film Selections: 815HORTS/Plus Seven Company staff will let you know if your film has been selected for screening in November 2023.

Awards: 815HORTS Awards will be presented during the program December 2, 2023.

Questions: Please direct any additional questions to Nick@PlusSevenCompany.com.

Thank you for your support of 815HORTS and the film community!