Cardiff Mini Film Festival has arrived in a wide variety of unique and unusual venues in the capital city since 2012.

We are committed to celebrating filmmaking talent of any budget, with our Low Budget and One Minute Wonder categories being some of our most popular, enabling grassroot filmmakers a perfect opportunity to showcase their work. Please disclose your production budget to ensure we can place you in the correct category.

NAHEMI proudly sponsors the British Student Award; to be eligible for this, at least one key member of the crew (director, producer) must have been a student throughout the film’s production process, and you either reside in the United Kingdom or studied here.

We proudly showcase Welsh films within our Welsh Film category, to be eligible for this your at least 50% of your film crew must reside in Wales, and the entirety of the film must be shot in Wales.

We accept entries from all over the world, and nothing makes us happier than those that come to visit us in Cardiff, from afar to enjoy our annual in-person festival. Entries in all languages are accepted, however please ensure if your entry is not in English language, they have burnt-in English subtitles.

All British films accepted into the 2027 Cardiff Mini Film Festival are (once selected at a second BIFA-qualifying festival) eligible to be entered into the 2027 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA). All shortlisted films made in Wales are also eligible to be submitted to the BAFTA Cymru Awards.

You can expect to watch 100 short films in; a classical hotel, coffee shop vault, shopping centre basement, antiques market, themed bar and any other fantastic venues we can celebrate within. This is a festival for those that like to mingle with a drink throughout the day whilst enjoying the best up and coming short films.

This festival is open to those within the industry, alongside wider public audiences, with actors to musicians as well as special guests attending, which have included: Philip John (Downton Abbey), Boyd Clack (Twin Town), Kirsten Jones (Satellite City), Kevin Allen (Twin Town), Ryan Eddleston (Prevenge), S4C, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Creative Skillset, GORILLA, Festival Formula, Cult Cymru, Buzz Magazine and many more to discuss your career in the industry.

Cardiff Mini Film Festival is brought to you by Bulldozer Films Ltd.

Awards & Prizes

Best Low Budget Fiction

Best Big Spender Fiction

Best Documentary

Best Twisted Tale

Best Comedy

Best One Minute Wonder

Best Welsh Film

Best British Student Film

Best Music Video

Best BFI Film Academy Film

Audience Choice Award (presented after the festival)

Rules & Terms

1. Films must have been completed within 1 year, at time of submission.

2. Our panel comprises of industry judges who are not connected with the festival. Their decision is the final decision.

3. We may use a short clip of your film in our festival trailer posted publicly on our social media. By submitting you are allowing us to also screen your film at the festival.

4. No refunds after submission.

90 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jake Mark

    Loved this festival!!!! The team are excellent and put on an incredible event :)))

    Absolutely submit!!!!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much.

  • Keith Allott

    We were over the moon to have our short film LUNCH HOUR screen at Cardiff Mini. The communication from the festival was excellent and they made us feel a part of the event. Highly recommend filmmakers submit to this festival.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    We are so pleased you had a good experience. Thank you for your very lovely review.

  • J. E. Dufton

    Wonderful festival! Thank you so much Cardiff Mini Festival for showcasing our film. The whole roster was phenomenal and it truly was a special day!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for coming. We really appreciate your support and are so glad you had a good day.

  • Liz Cartwright

    Fantastic to have our short film Butty be part of Cardiff Mini Film Festival. Brilliant communication from Michael throughout the process.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for your kind words.

  • Kieran Freemantle

    Cardiff Mini Film Festival was an excellent festival. I am happy that my short was selected and played with some excellent films. The calibre of films and filmmakers was high. It tight, one day event and worth going.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for coming. We really appreciate it.