Edinburgh Short Film Festival 2026 Now Open For Entries!

The 16th edition with International Film Festival showcases, more short film screenings, trophies, cash prizes and awards. Networking is a strong focus this year.

ESFF is now a BIFA Qualifying festival.

One of the UK's strongest short film programmes & dedicated to short film and
film-makers, with awards, trophies & cash prizes for:
Best Film, Best Animation & Best Scottish Short

We're also thrilled to be programming showcases of our best films for our 2026 international partners.

Max Length 25 minutes, international films welcomed, all genres eligible.

The final deadline for submissions is Friday June 19th 2026

Awards & Prizes

Best Film
Best Animation
Best Scottish Short Film
(films produced or shot in Scotland)

Trophy
Cash Prize

Winners may also be included in our 'Best of Fest' screening and included in any showcase programme we present at our international film festival partners editions. We will contact the filmmaker for their agreement to participate in any of these partner programmes and provide invitations to attend.

Rules & Terms

All Genres Considered
Films must be a maximum of 25 mins in length
Films should have been completed since January 2023
Early Deadline: Friday Feb 20th 2026
Regular Deadline: Friday May 15th 2026
Final Deadline: Friday June 19th 2026
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Hayden Mclean

    A really great festival! It was a real honour to bring my directorial debut film 'The Last Dance' to Scotland. Great venue, programming and lovely team! Would not hesitate to submit here in the future.

    February 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Many thanks for your kind comments Hayden, we were glad to have you here and to screen The Last Dance and wish you all the best with your next film project!

  • Anthony Bautovich

    I was honoured to have my film ‘Darlinghurst Eats Its Young’ nominated for Best Film at the Edinburgh Short film Festival.
    .The festival was thoughtfully curated, I was pleased to be showing alongside such an excellent group of short films.
    The festival team are well organised, enthusiastic with great communication - a great job by all involved!

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your comments Anthony, we were very happy to screen DEIY, a tremendous documentary which was very well received by audiences and our staff. Good luck with your next film project!

  • Agnes Athley

    Such a great festival! Thank you to the programming team for selecting and screening my film at Edinburgh's best cinema. A real dream come true.

    November 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi Agnes, thank you for your very kind comments! We were very glad to be able to screen We Walk At Night and wish you all the best with the film and your next film project!
    Paul

  • David Bickley

    What an honour to have my Celtic folklore short screened in another Celtic nation, and at such a well respected festival. Thanks a mill to Paul and his team! David

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi David,
    Thanks for your kind review and for letting us screen Old Gods, we're glad we could let our audiences see and enjoy it!
    All the best with the film and your next project!
    Paul

  • Wilma Smith

    Excellent festival run by a small team. Friendly, warm and encouraging to see programmers nurture new and emerging talent in screening and promoting films. Communications is second to none. Highly recommend attending if you have never been before.

    November 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Many thanks for your kind review Wilma, glad you enjoyed your visit!