Short Films. Big Screen. Make us laugh, make us cry, make us think, make us feel… We’re ready to be amazed by your films - any budget, any genre, any story, as long as it’s short!

BEST SHORT FEST is seeking the world’s best short films (under 45 minutes) and super-short films (under 5 minutes) to be shown on the big screen in Lanark County, Ontario, Canada.

Our venues include a historic community theatre with over 30 years as a live performance venue, which has regularly screened the best international films in partnership with the Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group. BEST SHORT FEST continues this tradition, showcasing the talents of independent filmmakers from far and wide!

Awards & Prizes

The Best Short Film and Best Super-Short Film will be chosen from the Finalists in the following categories:

Best Short
Best Short Comedy
Best Short Drama
Best Short Genre (Action / Sci-Fi / Horror...)
Best Short Experimental
Best Short Animation
Best Short Documentary
Best Short Music / Dance / Poetry

Best Super-Short
Best Super-Short Comedy
Best Super-Short Drama
Best Super-Short Genre (Action / Sci-Fi / Horror...)
Best Super-Short Experimental
Best Super-Short Animation
Best Super-Short Documentary
Best Super-Short Music / Dance / Poetry

Finalists in every category will be shown at BEST SHORT FEST.

Rules & Terms

Short is Beautiful! Submit an online screener of your entry, ensuring a maximum of 45 minutes for short films and a maximum of 5 minutes for super-short films, to be considered by our jury.

BEST SHORT FEST is open to all short films from all countries. Entry fees are non-refundable. All entrants agree with the terms and conditions listed on our website, in order to qualify as a finalist/winner.

Good luck to everyone!
42 Reviews
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  • Alexandre Alin

    I didn't attended to the event. I can't really give a review. Thanks to the team to have officially selected my 3D animated short film!

    September 2025
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  • LaKesha Sowell

    It is an honor that my film Communication has won an award. Thank you for this opportunity!

    October 2024
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  • ZK HOU

    It's a great honor to be a part of this great festival and I'm happy to have been selected to show my film to a wider audience, which is a reflection of the diverse culture of this festival.

    September 2024
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  • Richard Thompson

    Truly honored to have my animated short film, M0D3RN T1M3Z, a semi-finalist at your festival! Thank you!

    September 2024
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  • Stephen Bushnik

    So appreciative for my film "The Donut Mob" being selected a Semi-Finalist. Audiences are craving laughs, uniqueness and creativity these days. So happy it stood out.
    Hope to see you again, Cheers.
    Stephen Bushnik

    September 2024
    Helpful