We celebrate short films of all kinds! Now in its 26th year, the Extremely Shorts Film Festival is a juried competition of all genres of short films and videos (3 minutes or less) from around the world.

Extremely Shorts is organized by Houston media arts organization Aurora Picture Show, and juried by guest artists, filmmakers, and curators. Each year, 20-25 short works are selected to screen at the two-day festival, held May 19-20. The short format of the festival encourages innovative approaches to filmmaking in a range of genres including narrative, experimental, documentary, and animation.

Extremely Shorts Film Festival 2023 will take place in Houston May 19 & 20, with online streaming May 26-28. This year’s festival juror, Venezuelan filmmaker Luis Arnías, will be in attendance for in-person screenings.

Awards & Prizes

Juror's Choice cash award (main program): $200
Audience Choice cash award (main program): $200

Each selected film will receive a screening fee of $20 (payable PayPal or check).

Rules & Terms

Rules: To be considered for entry, your film must be under 3 minutes long, including titles.

Terms & Conditions:

• Your film will be presented in both online and in-person screenings.

• Your film/video will be screened during the Extremely Shorts Film Festival and will be eligible to win a filmmaker award.

• Your film/video may be utilized for promotional purposes of the festival, limited to private screenings and preview-only copies for press and supporters.

• A sample clip of my film/video (up to 30 seconds in length) may be promoted via the Aurora Picture Show web site and Vimeo or YouTube non-profit channels, unless otherwise arranged with Aurora.

• The filmmaker will permit Aurora Picture Show to use their name and stills from my film/video (at least one print-quality version provided upon request) for promotional purposes.

• The filmmaker has the option to give permission for your film to be included on a touring program and in the Aurora Video Library. Filmmakers are always contacted prior to any additional screening.
19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Raymond Rea

    So honored and happy to have had a film in this gem of a festival! Aurora Picture Show provides year-round highly original programing and this festival is unlike most short short fests in that it absolutely centers on work that comes from original voices. Thank you so much Solome & Luis!

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Quina filmes

    The organization was very responsive and considerate with my questions, the festival went smoothly in the online version but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend! hope I can go into a next one!

    May 2022
    Helpful
  • Merritt Hill

    A wonderful festival with so much amazing work from around the globe! Thank you for the clear communication and for screening my film! Also, my family and I really loved that it was available to stream so that we could watch everyone's work together.

    May 2022
    Helpful
  • Ruxandra Mitache

    Thank you very much, I am glad to be part of this year Selection, I really appreciate the communication and the quality of the Festival.

    May 2020
    Helpful
  • Adam E. Stone

    Very good communication, festival was extremely well organized, and was packaged and delivered very professionally. The festival did a good job of adapting to the current situation and moving to a well-curated online program - something some other festivals have struggled with. I was honored to have a film selected for the fest, and look forward to submitting more films in the future.

    May 2020
    Helpful