By agreeing to the terms and conditions on the entry form for Aspen Film's Shortsfest, the person or entity (the Applicant) submitting an entry (the Short) to Aspen Film's Shortsfest (ASF) acknowledges that s/he has read, understood and agrees to the following rules and guidelines.
PLEASE NOTE: To ensure the consistency and quality of the festival-going experience for all parties, Aspen Shortsfest is a DCP-only festival. If selected the following rules apply:
If you already have a DCP version of your film, you will upload it through a DCP portal.
If you do NOT yet have a DCP version, our DCP company can help you get one created.
We are also committed to accessibility for all attendees. As such, we require all films with dialogue, (including those natively in English) to have Open Captions in English.
If your film does not already have Open Captions in English, we can connect you with a studio to help facilitate getting an .srt created.
NOTE - You do NOT have to have these files complete at the time of submitting your film via filmfreeway.
1. The Applicant is legally authorized to enter the Short in ASF, and the Short is not subject to any claims or litigation and is not threatened by any claims or litigation.
2. Entries must be 40 minutes or under in length, cannot have premiered before March 2025, and must be submitted in one or more of the following categories: Animation, Comedy, Documentary, or Drama. Entries that have been publicly broadcast or made available online in the U.S. are ineligible. (Note: Films that have only been digitally screened with restricted availability as part of an online festival selection are still eligible.)
2.a ASF will not review multiple versions of a submitted Film. Only one version of the Film may be submitted. If multiple versions are submitted, ASF can not guarantee the newest version will be reviewed and may only view the version that was received first.
3. To qualify for the Student Award, the Short must have been completed while enrolled in an accredited film or media arts course or program. PLEASE indicate that you are a student in your application materials.
4. Non-English language shorts must be subtitled in English. For accessibility, English language shorts must have the option of English captioning.
5. ASF can only accept, consider and notify entries submitted with valid entry form and non-refundable entry fee. To be considered for ASF, the Applicant must fill out the entry form on FilmFreeway. Applicants must submit a Secure Online Screener. Entry Fee payment must be made online through FilmFreeway.
5.a Due to the limited number of fee waivers available, all requests are subject to strict review. PLEASE NOTE: Waiver fee requests must be received one week BEFORE the end of the regular deadline period (September 26, 2025). We cannot guarantee that you will receive a waiver, even if you meet the criteria outlined below. Eligibility for a fee waiver will depend on the following:
• You are unable to pay the submission fee for political/geographical reasons outside of your control.
6. ASF reserves the right to consider for inclusion in the Festival, and include in the Festival, films received at any time and through any means, channel, or process, including means, channels, or processes other than those outlined in these Terms. Nothing in these Terms or otherwise requires ASF to select for Festival inclusion any of the Films submitted through the process outlined in these Terms.
7. Late Entries: For Late entry requests please contact ASF at shortsfest@aspenfilm.org.
8. To verify ASF has received your entry, we advise that you check the FilmFreeway status before emailing us with further questions.
9. All films will be notified of their status in March. If your contact information or premiere status changes between entry submission and our notification date, please update your information on FilmFreeway and email any changes to ASF at: shortsfest@aspenfilm.org.
10. Entry materials cannot be returned.
11. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials in the Short. The Applicant releases and discharges ASF, its 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 this Short.
12. In the event that the Short is selected by ASF, the Applicant hereby agrees to the following rights and requests and grants to ASF without reservations, conditions or qualifications:
12a. ASF reserves the right to screen an exhibition-quality digital file of the Short (see guidelines for accepted formats) during ASF, including educational screenings and a post festival Awards screening event.
12b. ASF reserves the right to coordinate ALL publicity and press outreach concerning the Short’s presentation at ASF, including but not limited to:
12.b-1 The right to use excerpted clips, still images and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Short for promotional purposes in all media including Aspen Film's website.
12.b-2 The right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Short and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information.
12.b-3 The right to provide contact information for the director and producer(s) of the Short and to grant ASF the right to provide this information to film industry organizations sponsoring Festival events at its discretion.
12c. ASF reserves the right to retain a preview copy of any Short submitted or solicited for ASF’s non-circulating library, as well as for ASF educational purposes.
12d. ASF reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees, any entry which is in violation of the guidelines and participation agreement.
13. Due to the number of film submissions received, we are unable to provide individual feedback on your submission.
