Edinburgh Short Film Festival 2025 Now Open For Entries!

The 15th edition with International Film Festival showcases, more short film screenings, trophies, cash prizes and awards!

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 2025 international partners.

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

The final deadline for submissions is Friday June 20th 2025

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 2022
Early Deadline: Friday Feb 21st 2025
Regular Deadline: Friday May 16th 2025
Final Deadline: Friday June 20th 2025
15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • 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
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    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
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    Response from festival:

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

  • Paul Harry Thomas

    A terrific festival staffed by genuine film enthusiasts.

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your kind words Paul and glad you enjoyed the programmes. We'll be back next year!

  • Serafima Serafimova

    I was over the moon when my animation was selected by ESFF, especially after receiving countless rejections. I attended the screening and loved every second of it. All the other short films in the programme were brilliant and I felt privileged to be almond them. The organisers made me feel so welcome and I did a Q&A despite my crippling fear of public speaking. The venue was grand and the crowd was super supportive and created an amazing atmosphere. To sum up, it was an unforgettable experience and one to tick on the bucket list :)

    November 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Many thanks for your kind words and for coming along Serafima!
    We're glad you enjoyed the ESFF and grateful that you let us screen your excellent animation! Good luck with The C Word and your next film project!

  • Beatrice Jäggi

    Thank you so very much, that we could be part of the festival! Hope to make it to Edinburgh next time!

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your kind feedback Beatrice, and for letting us screen Ethel, congratulations , it's a wonderful stop motion!
    Good luck with Ethel and your next film project and hopefully see you at a future ESFF!