FilmFore exists to help filmmakers connect with audiences, generate revenue and build momentum in their careers.
Every film submitted to FilmFore gets tagged, ranked and rated by a jury of film professionals, to help curate and present their film to audiences and market partners worldwide.
There are a couple of pathways short films can take in the FilmFore ecosystem:
1. The Shortlist - a quarterly shortlist of the best short films that are featured on our home page, written about on our published media channels and presented to market partners at all the major film markets.
2. Short Encounters - a curated short film channel that features stories about the moments between people that reveal something true, land with emotional impact, and refuse to leave you after the credits roll.
3. Rights Management and Sales - non-exclusive and/or exclusive rights management, based on the stage of film and the appetite of the filmmakers to recoup their budget, finance new projects and connect with market partners.
Every film submitted to FilmFore is evaluated by experienced industry professionals across five weighted criteria: Story, Direction, Craft, Originality, and Audience Potential. Every submission receives a composite score and written feedback.
The highest rated films make The Shortlist, gain a public profile on FilmFore.com, and are invited to publish on Short Encounters, the FilmFore YouTube channel — where they are seen by global audiences and presented to our growing network of distributors (FAST streamers, traditional broadcasters and short form partners).
We work hard to ensure that getting on The Shortlist means something. It is not a participation award. It is a signal to the industry that your film has been evaluated by professionals and found worth taking seriously. Films on The Shortlist get bought and licensed by broadcasters and streamers regularly.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Every film must contain a genuine human encounter — a moment between people that reveals something true about the human spirit and makes an emotional impact. Genre, language, and country of origin are open. Runtime: 1 to 15 minutes. Finished films only, though at times we will accept a sequence from a longer form work, provided the short stands alone.
WHAT YOU RECIEVE
A professional composite score, per-category feedback, and written notes from your reviewer — whether or not your film is shortlisted. And with a Select Entry, filmmakers get a guaranteed re-submission, free of charge. Many filmmakers use FilmFore as a way to get professional evaluation of their film before picture lock, to get feedback prior to finishing and re-submitting to FilmFore or other mainstream festivals.
FILMFORE ROADSHOW
Every year we host the FilmFore Roadshow, where we exhibit our favourite short films. In 2026, this will take place in Sydney and New York City, but we are currently working to expand our network of exhibitors, and hope to include Los Angeles, London, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong in 2027.
QUARTERLY SHORTLIST COMMUNITY
Films selected for the The Shortlist receive a public profile page on FilmFore.com with their professional score, written testimonials, and full metadata — visible to our global network of market partners and distribution contacts. All selected filmmakers can comment on other entrant's films and upvote comments and feedback, providing a community hub of likeminded filmmakers committed to one another's success.
SHORT ENCOUNTERS CHANNEL PARTICIPATION
Shortlisted films can opt to have their Channel Exhibition rights selected, and if so, will be eligible for the Short Encounters YouTube channel on a non-exclusive basis. Filmmakers will always have the rights to their work, and the ability to remove a film for whatever reason.
MARKETPLACE ACCESS
Shortlisted films with Discovery + Licensing rights selected are made available to registered FilmFore Market Partners — distributors, commissioners, and rights buyers who submit licensing enquiries through the platform. FilmFore facilitates all introductions and takes a flat 25% commission on any sales we broker on behalf of our filmmakers, only after we've made the sale.
ENCOUNTERS FUND ELIGIBILITY
Shortlisted filmmakers become eligible for consideration for the annual $25,000 Encounters Fund — a rolling prize pool awarded to the most compelling short film concept from filmmakers discovered on the platform. This film fund goes live every December, and is awarded in February.
THE FILMFORE SHORTLIST LAUREL
Every shortlisted filmmaker receives The Shortlist badge for use on their film's promotional materials, poster, EPK, and social media.
