The Berlin Short Film Awards is an international, online-based film festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the creativity and vision of filmmakers from around the globe. Our festival provides a unique platform for emerging and established filmmakers to present their short films to a diverse and global audience.

We believe in the power of short films to tell compelling stories, push artistic boundaries, and inspire new ideas. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or a new voice in the industry, the Berlin Short Film Awards offers a space to connect with like-minded artists, receive critical recognition, and reach new heights in your career.

Submissions are open to a wide variety of genres, including narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and more. Selected films will compete for prestigious awards across multiple categories, judged by an esteemed panel of industry professionals.

Join us at the Berlin Short Film Awards, where creativity and passion meet on a global stage!

Awards & Prizes

Certificates
Laurels
Shutouts and Networking opportunities

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility:
- Films of all genres are eligible, including narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, and others.
- Films must be no longer than 60 minutes, including credits.
- All films must be submitted in English or with English/German subtitles. Non-English films without subtitles will not be considered.
- Filmmakers of any nationality are welcome to submit.

2. Submission Requirements:
All submissions must be made via the official submission platform (e.g., FilmFreeway or other).
All films must be submitted in one of the following formats: .MP4, .MOV, or .AVI.
Each filmmaker can submit more than one film, but each entry must be submitted separately with its own submission fee.
Any incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions will be automatically disqualified without a refund.
3. Submission Fees:
- All submission fees must be paid in full before the film is reviewed by the selection committee.
- Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether the film is selected for the festival or not.
- Early bird, regular, and late submission fees may apply, depending on the date of submission.

4. Rights and Permissions:
- The filmmaker retains all rights to their work, but grants the Berlin Short Film Awards the non-exclusive right to use the film for promotional purposes (including stills, trailers, or clips) before, during, and after the festival.
- Films may be used for public screenings if they are selected as a part of the festival's program.
- The festival holds the right to disqualify films that violate copyright laws or have illegal content.

6. Disqualification:
Films that contain hate speech, explicit content without artistic merit, or illegal material will be disqualified.
Films submitted without proper permissions (e.g., music rights) may also face disqualification.
Any attempt to influence the selection committee, judges, or festival staff will result in automatic disqualification.

8. General Conditions:
The festival reserves the right to change the event format, awards, or dates as necessary, including the possibility of screening films at an in-person event if circumstances allow.
The Berlin Short Film Awards is not responsible for any lost or damaged submissions.
By submitting, you agree to all the above rules and terms.
52 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Duda Gorter

    Having my film “Moisture” selected and awarded at this festival is a privilege: it is wonderful that we have a festival in an incredible city like Berlin that values thought-provoking films. I highly recommend the Berlin Short Film Awards to all filmmakers.

    April 2026
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  • Caroline Mardok

    Very honored to have won Best Documentary for Water Guardians. So pleased to have received this prize and to see this story of connection to water in New York cross borders-

    April 2026
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  • Sophie Schleimer-Newman

    This was such an amazing film festival to be apart of.

    April 2026
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  • Martin Keady

    This year (2026), Berlin Short Film Awards made my script TIGRESS (a mini-biopic of the author Judith Kerr, who wrote 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea') the Winner of its Best Unproduced Screenplay. Given that TIGRESS starts and ends in Berlin, it was particularly gratifying to me for it to be celebrated in this way in its "home" city. Many and sincere dankes to all!

    April 2026
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  • Leonie Watkins

    We were thrilled our short film, RABBIT EARS, was included in this year's Berlin Short Film Awards Festival programme. We couldn't be more pleased as we went on to win Best Drama Short! From start to finish, communication from the festival organisers was great. They kept us informed and updated with news on the various stages. From submission to the final awards, this is a well-thought-out and well-put-together event by a festival that champions emerging filmmakers.

    April 2026
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