The Cyber Shorts: A VR Film Festival, came into being during the COVID-19 pandemic, days after the festival directors facilitated a successful AltspaceVR event for novelist Matt Ruff.

All genres are welcome.

The festival will take place on May 1, 2021. The festival programming will be as follows: two hours for films, and one hour for filmmaker Q&A.

AltspaceVR is available for free on Vive, GearVR, Oculus devices, WMR and 2D mode on PC

NOTE: you do not need a VR headset to join the screening. All you would need is to download and boot up the AltSpace VR app on PC to access 2D mode.

Cyber Shorts is made possible by the volunteer staff of Rise Up Daily (www.riseupdaily.com)

Three awards will be given:
Best film
Best director
Best screenplay

Cyber Shorts: A VR Film Festival has the following requirements:

*Short films must be 15 minutes or less
*Music videos must be 5 minutes or less
*Fees are non-refundable
*Competition is open to International entries
*Films not in English must be subtitled in English

ELIGIBILITY: Films completed after January 1, 2010 are eligible

Short films that are available on VOD or a streaming platform ARE eligible for competition at the festival.

SUBMISSION FORMAT: ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR PRE-SCREENING WITH VIMEO OR YOUTUBE LINK. You are required to keep us updated with passwords.

You may submit multiple entries but must fill out a separate entry form and PROVIDE an entry fee for each.

FEEDBACK: Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions, we are unable to provide individualized feedback to filmmakers at this time.

Have additional questions about submitting? Please email shahab@zedcollective.com

LIABILITY
Great care will be taken with entries while with us, however we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage incurred. Cyber Shorts: A VR Film Festival is held harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses that may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity or screening of any film in the Virtual Reality platform.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The festival offers the very innovative format of screening your film in a virtual VR theatre with the AltSpace app. It's refreshing to see newer emerging festivals offering something new in the very crowded scene of new festivals popping up on FilmFreeway. The organizers are also very genuine and communicative, and try to connect you with opportunities beyond the festival.

    June 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Sina, keep up the great work!

  • Ian Ebright

    My first foray into virtual reality and even in the 2D version of AltspaceVR the event was really immersive and professionally managed from start to finish. So nice when you find a festival that takes itself and their filmmakers and attendees seriously.

    Highly recommended, and I hope to screen there again in the future!

    May 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Ian! Congratulations!!

  • I've been to many film festivals around the world, physically or otherwise, and even before the awarding ceremony, the festival director (Shahab) and the team have been very warm and accommodating. I have received emails in advanced and we get to be given the chance to view all films in competition during their live event.

    There is, of course a mix of genuine shock and surpise when our film was announced as one of the winners. While me and my team are indeed grateful for the award (thank you to the jury), I would be saying the same thing even if we didn't get anything. Truly one of the friendliest (and filmmaker-friendly) film festivals I've been. I hope to see you guys share more films from around the globe in the years to come. I truly enjoyed the experience. It made our quarantine lives a little livelier. Congratulations from all of us in our team from across the miles!

    June 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Elvert!! We appreciate the kind words!