Berlin Short Awards is a bi-monthly IMDb qualified online short awards event. We are happy to welcome filmmakers from all genres, particularly low or no-budget ones, and all countries, especially from those traditionally underrepresented in the global film industry. Our main goal is to showcase their brilliant projects in Berlin's beautiful city for a diverse audience of cinephiles. Berlin, as a city dates to the 13th century. Reminders of the city's turbulent 20th-century history can be seen in the parts of city. The city's also known for its art scene and modern landmarks like the gold-coloured, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonic, built in 1963. We encourage you to submit your work to this online event.
The selected projects are privately judged by a random team of invited experts from academia and the film industry worldwide, against a high standard of merit. From the official selection pool, which has a very competitive acceptance rate, Berlin Shorts Award chose the nominees and award winners of the month. All the Winners will receive the Official Laurels and the winning-category certificate and could request an online screening .

Awards & Prizes

Best German short film
Best international short film
Best first time short filmmaker
Best student short
Best documentary short
Best animation short
Best experimental short
Best horror short
Best comedy short
Best sci-fi short
Best micro short
Best erotic short
Best thriller short
Best music video
Best web series
Best lgbtq short
Best women empowerment short
Best black matter lives short
Best human rights film
Best female director
Best male director
Best producer
Best original screenwriting
Best unproduced script
Best cinematography
Best editing
Best sound design
Best original score
Best make up
Best costume design
Best production design
Best actor
Best actress
Best ensemble

Rules & Terms

Rules:

– In order to submit a film, you must own the rights or have permission from the owner.
– Any Foreign film that is not in English must have English or German subtitles.
– All fees are non-refundable.
– Not all the submissions are selected for the official competition. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers will be given about not selected films.
– Filmmakers can submit the film in multiple categories in order to become a multi-award film. Still, the decision about the selection is strictly determined by our judges’ team and no selection is guaranteed.
– Submitting your movie, you authorize Berlin short festival to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills in our social media.
– Films can be available online and still be entered in the competition for our festival.
– Films must have been completed within the past 4 years.
– Shorts must be less than 50 minutes.
-We do not require premiere status.
342 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rafael Maria Friebe

    As the director, I’m deeply proud of our team’s commitment to exploring such a complex and emotionally demanding subject. The themes we dealt with were not easy — raw, unsettling, and intimate — and required a level of emotional truth that can’t be faked.
    Felix Graf and Katherina Gareis delivered performances of exceptional depth, courage, and nuance. That their work has been honored with Best Actor and Best Actress at the Berlin Indie Film Festival means the world to us.
    We receive these awards with deep gratitude and humility. To have our story recognized by the jury — alongside so many powerful voices in independent cinema — is not only an honor, but a reminder of why we tell stories in the first place: to connect, to reflect, and to remind one another that even in darkness, we are not alone. Thank you for this incredible recognition.

    May 2025
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  • Bríd Fitzpatrick

    Awesome festival. I highly recommend it.

    April 2025
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  • Kevin B Ploth

    Not only was this our first Festival for ARTIMIS Theatrical Productions LLC but one of our first projects The GIANT TV Show a second win. Not bad for a military Veteran owned and operated company.
    Berlin Shorts Award was fun, inviting and gave our project a voice. We hope to be invited again and again.

    April 2025
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  • Robin Neil Chambers

    great time thanks for placement

    April 2025
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  • Listening Raven

    Absolutely fantastic experience! Berlin Shots Award is a standout contest that epitomizes the concept of art for art's sake. Berlin Shorts make it possible for film makers and screenwriters of all backgrounds to share their work with everyone. REZ, our humble screenplay was appreciated and given an appreciative audience of true professionals. Danke Schorn

    April 2025
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