The CineManiacs Short Film Festival is a hybrid film festival that offers both online and live screening opportunities. Our goal is to encourage a continuing conversation between filmmakers and audiences by critiquing films on CineManiacs UnReeled, our fun analytical podcast. The continuing conversation will be available online to view and comment on throughout each season.

Members of the CineManiacs Short Film Festival committee are active in the world of independent filmmaking and hail from a multitude of specialties within the craft.

We like to think of our festival as a place for filmmakers to get honest feedback on their films to aid in their future filmmaking ventures. Also, filmmakers who are not in the film series may benefit from watching and listening to the thoughts of the panel. We believe that filmmaking is an intellectual exchange that both entertains and enlightens. So, sit back and prepare to be entertained and enlightened.

Awards & Prizes

Best Narrative Short Film
An award certificate and a cash price of $1000 will be issued to the Best Narrative Short Film in competition.

Best Documentary Short Film
An award certificate and a cash price of $1000 will be issued to the Best Documentary Short Film in competition.

Best Animation Short Film
An award certificate and a cash price of $1000 will be issued to the Best Animation Short Film in competition.

Best Experimental Short Film
An award certificate and a cash price of $1000 will be issued to the Best Experimental Short Film in competition.

Audience Choice Award
The Audience Choice Award comes with a diploma certificate and a cash price of $500. Only one film from any of the categories will be chosen for the Audience Choice award at the festival's award night.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
The CineManiacs Short Film Festival accepts all film genres: short films, narrative (drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, fantasy), experimental, screendance, animation, and documentary. Specify only one main Category for your film. Films should have a total run time of no more than 40 minutes but we would prefer shorter films ideally.

Films or videos using non-licensed, copyrighted musical or literary properties without legal permission are not eligible. The competition is open to professional and non-professional filmmakers. Entries must be submitted in the completed form in which they will be judged. The decisions of the Jury are final.

We accept films from the United States and International entries, however non-English language films must be subtitled in English. Accepted films must be submitted in the following file formats: High Quality h.264 MP4 or MOV with a file size less than 10GB. All entries must submit preview screeners via online through FilmFreeway. Any other method must receive prior approval from the festival.

ENTRY FEES
Entry does not guarantee acceptance into the festival. Submission materials WILL NOT be returned. We accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere. Multiple entries are allowed; however a separate entry form and fee must be submitted for each entry.

The non-refundable fee covers screening and administrative costs, and will not be returned.

SELECTION and NOTIFICATION
All entries will be viewed by the selection committee. The Festival will make no cuts or changes. Festival selections will be announced on our around January 5th 2025. All entrants will be notified by email. The festival does not pay rental fees for submitted work.

The Filmmaker holds CineManiacsHD.com and the CineManiacs Short Film Festival, its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from entry. The Filmmaker will indemnify the organizers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.
5 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Evie O'Brien

    Thank you to the festival team for screening our short film. We are honoured.

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Leon Lechner

    Cinemaniacs Short Film Festival was worth submitting to!! Thank you to the festival team for the selection and screening. Hopefully we will be back at the festival again next year!

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Oliver Williams

    Worth submitting. Amazing team and good communication

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Shihyun Wang

    The best way to grow is to grow with a new festival like CineManics. Thank you for selecting my film.

    June 2018
    Helpful
  • Sheldon Schiffer

    Good festival for online promotion and critical review. They did a podcast review of each film, and the insights were intelligent. Also, the selection of films were bold and interesting.

    June 2018
    Helpful