GLOBAL SHORTS is a bi-annual Los Angeles-based online international awards competition that recognizes and promotes short films with a runtime of 55 minutes or less. Films are judged by in-house staff and industry professionals. Some of the countries we have received Winning submissions from include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA. Past competition Winners have also won or been nominated for: BAFTAs, British Independent Film Awards, Cannes Film Festival Awards, Emmys, Genie Awards, Golden Globes, Saturn Awards.

Winners are announced twice a year. Competition deadlines are March 31st and September 30th of every year.

All submissions will be considered for Best Short Film as well as Awards of Excellence, Merit, Honorable Mention and Special Mention. These placements are our way of honoring Finalists.

***IMPORTANT*** Additional confirmations + notifications regarding your submission will come directly from Global Shorts. Please ensure that e-mails from our Coordinator, jeff@global-shorts.net, are not blocked by your E-mail client.

Awards & Prizes

Our Best Short Film winner will receive our Custom Global Shorts statuette, manufactured by the same company that manufactures the Emmy and Golden Globe! All Winners will also receive Winner laurels, IMDb Awards credit, and an indefinite Winner listing on the Global Shorts website. For updates, please consider subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

Rules & Terms

• Submissions must be 55 minutes or less (including end credits).

• Submissions in other than English must be submitted in subtitled in English.

• The primary Best Short Film category (required) is $60USD. Additional subcategories (Best Actor, Actress, Director, etc) are $40USD.

• Please provide an online link to your film and be sure to include the password on our submission form if applicable. DVDs and other physical media are not accepted.
192 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Zoran Ignjatović

    Thank you for spreading and supporting art!!!
    Thank you very much for awarding our short documentary film „Out in the open“.
    We are very proud of it.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Zoran,

    Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We really enjoyed Out in the open and hope to see more short films from you in the future!

    - Global Shorts Team

  • Angelo Oddo

    Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Global Shorts Film Festival. I'm truly honored to receive an award for my film A Cup of Faith. It means so much to have the project recognized, and I'm grateful for the support and appreciation of its message. I look forward to submitting future films to Global Shorts and continuing this incredible journey.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Angelo,

    Thank you for this kind review and congratulations on your placements! We're very much looking forward to seeing more of your work in the near-future.

    - Global Shorts Team

  • mark ridley

    The kindness shown to me from Jeff and the staff keeping me up to date on the event and activity was great

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Mark,

    Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad to hear you had a positive experience. We hope to see more short films from you in the near-future!

    Thank you once again!

    Best,
    Jeff - Global Shorts Coordinator

  • Pedro Vasconcelos

    It was a pleasure to participate in Global Shorts; the way the organization communicates and positively welcomes us is a benchmark for everyone.
    But even better was knowing that Douro Stream - Stories Drifting With the River´s Stream, won in the Documentary Short category. Thank you for the recognition.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Pedro,

    Thank you for taking the time to write this review and congratulations on placing in the competition! We really enjoyed Douro Stream and hope to see more short films from you in the future.

    Best,
    Global Shorts Team

  • Sary Asmar

    Amazing festival. Thank you for the special mention

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Sary,

    Yes, congratulations on your placement - well done! We really enjoyed Turmoil - Chapter One and hope to see more of your work in the near-future.

    Best,
    Global Shorts Team