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LET YOUR SHORT BECOME GOLDEN!
Get notification and a free scorecard in 48 Hours.

The Golden Short Film Festival rewards the best and most outstanding short films from around the globe. We consider the art of filming an essential component of our lives and encourage works that use powerful narration in order to create a unique vision. The cinema as a tool of fiction relies on an easy, central assertion: to tell is to feel empathic. There is no story to tell without the "Other". Because the audience empathizes with the characters, within the vast universe of all the stories that can be invented, he/she can experience those patterns of emotions that otherwise would be lost.

The Golden Short Film Festival is a three-month contest repeated four times for one year, dedicated to finding those remarkable works that may otherwise be overlooked or snubbed. We accept short films of all genres. Our mission is to encourage and support filmmakers throughout the world in order to provide the recognition they deserve.

All the quarter winners are nominated, awarded, and honored on our website and will receive certificates along with exclusive laurel and dedicated promotion. Every submission can also add additional categories, increasing the chances to become multi-award-winning. The overall winner will be awarded live during the ceremony at the stunning city of Avezzano in August 2024.

Awards & Prizes

⭐ Golden Short Film
⭐ Golden Animated Short
⭐ Golden Documentary Short
⭐ Golden Student Short
⭐ Golden Experimental Short
⭐ Golden Drama Short
⭐ Golden Sci-Fi Short
⭐ Golden Comedy Short
⭐ Golden Horror Short
⭐ Golden Thriller Short
⭐ Golden Romance Short
⭐ Golden Director
⭐ Golden Screenplay
⭐ Golden Producer
⭐ Golden Actress
⭐ Golden Actor
⭐ Golden Editing
⭐ Golden Cinematography
⭐ Golden Soundtrack
⭐ Golden Music Video

Rules & Terms

All genres are accepted with a maximum length of 40 minutes.
The Festival committee will notify submitters in 48 Hours.
The Festival committee will provide a free scorecard.
Scorecards are only for short film categories.
​Scorecards will be obtained according to objective criteria.
Scorecards are not necessarily related to the jury's final decision. 
The jury will assign the awards for each competitive section.
All decisions of the jury are final.
All quarter winners compete for the overall Golden Awards in August 2024.
The overall Golden Short Film winner receives an exclusive trophy.
Any foreign films must include English subtitles.
All fees are non-refundable.
Students must present their valid Student ID.
GSFF can use short's material for promotional purposes.
GSFF will not release, under any circumstances, the full short film.
Submitters must own all the rights of the short film. 
Submitters cannot withdraw the work after the official selection.
Not all submissions received are selected for GSFF.
Multiple entries are allowed.
GSFF has no obligation to disclose information about the committee.
Submitters must be 18 years of age or older.
All work's ownership and rights remain with the original holders.
GSFF reserve the right to refuse inappropriate works.
GSFF has the right to add, change, or delete guidelines at any time.​

🕗 DEADLINES AND FEES:

📣 EARLYBIRD DEADLINE: August, 31/2023 - $10
📣 REGULAR DEADLINE: October, 2/2023 - $15
📣 LATE DEADLINE: November, 2/2023 - $20
✅ FINALISTS NOTIFICATION DATE: November, 4/2023
✅ WINNERS NOTIFICATION DATE: November, 6/2023
✅ OVERALL AWARD EVENT: August 2024
206 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Daniel Foster

    It was GREAT! Excited to have participated.

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Jesse Womack

    Thanks for selecting my short film.

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Nader Mohandesi

    Thank you GSFF !
    My first movie “ Repudiation “ was selected for your festival. Truly honored.🙏

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Fabio Teriaca

    Ottimo festival, organizzazione ed informazione.. onorato di averne fatto parte con il mio Cortometraggio.. grazie

    August 2023
    Helpful
  • Scott Coello

    Typical money-making "pay for laurel" festival with no benefit, screenings or real people in attendance or involved at all. Wouldn't be surprise if this person had other festivals set up to skim more money from creators. Avoid.

    August 2023
    Helpful
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Scott Coello, your statements are very serious and damage the image of a festival that works with great passion to offer the best for filmakers. We include scorecard for free and our annual event takes place in Avezzano every year as documented with FilmFreeway Team. Don’t ever try to imply that we’re skimming money. This is offensive and rude. You're invited to be less judgmental.

    Best ragards.
    GSFF TEAM