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!

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. The Filmmakers of Finalist / Official Selection films will be awarded free passes to attend all festival screenings. We will also provide free passes to 3 members of your cast and crew, or family and friends. Plus, we'll welcome you to town at our annual Opening Night Mixer.

Presented on stage at the end of our closing ceremonies, Winners will receive the BEST SHORT FEST Trophy for Best Short Film of the Year and Best Super-Short Film of the Year. Or, if you’re unable to attend, trophies will be mailed to you.

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!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jerry Wilson

    Wonderful, a great festival and I look forward to next year.

    October 2023
  • Marcus Graham

    This Should Be Banned! Best comedy short! Thank you Best Short Fest , I’m so pleased you enjoyed our film - thank you for the award !

    September 2023
  • Roberto Strazzarino

    I would like to thank Best Short Fest for placing my film PENTACLUB (The Club of Five) as Semi-Finalist.

    September 2023
  • Nell Dashiell

    Thank you so much for acknowledging our short, GPS -- we feel well and truly honored.  It's been a pleasure working with you, and we can't wait to return with our next venture!

    January 2023
  • Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your festival!

    October 2022