Please read attentively the Rules & Terms and apply under right category. Films which do not belong to any of the categories of the Festival will not be accepted.
All entries will be judged according to Overall Production Value, Cinematography, Acting, Story, Script, Originality and Festival Friendliness.
Short documentaries will be considered only if in a narrative form.
The submission of splatter horror movies is discouraged.
1. I have read, understood and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Eligibility requirements.
2. All shorts must have a runtime of 15 minutes or less (including credits). We do the occasional exception for local (longer) shorts, but they must remain exceptions.
3. The very latest deadline for submissions (where applicable) is the 30th of June. We aim to get back in touch with all submitted filmmakers in the beginning of July to inform them if we are screening their film during the festival.
4. Films in any language other than English MUST have English subtitles.
5. The Gozo Film Festival accepts secure online screeners through FilmFreeway, Vimeo and YouTube. We do not accept DVD submissions.
6. For the current year Gozo Film Festival has no awards presented or winners.
7. I have the right or authorisation to submit the film to the Gozo Film Festival as my own work or on behalf of the creators, and the production has no litigation or disputes regarding any part of the production, distribution or originality.
8. I certify that I have full rights to the use of the music in the entered work.
9. I give permission to the Gozo Film Festival to use stills, titles, trailers, short excerpt of the film and any information from the film for promotional purposes, online and in any print media or campaigns connected with the Gozo Film Festival. This includes brochures/programmes, printed media magazines/newspapers and online.
10. I give permission to the Gozo Film Festival to screen the film during the Festival.
11. There is no official restriction on how many films can be submitted by an individual, but we normally discourage more than 3 submissions per submitter.
By submitting your entry, you confirm that you have read and accepted the above terms and conditions.
Kindly understand that, unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualised feedback to filmmakers.
Our selecting criteria
1. Champion Emerging Talent
Prioritise works by promising and new local and international filmmakers whose voice, vision, or craft shows clear potential. A festival should be a platform for discovery and encouragement.
2. Recognise Excellence
Select accomplished short films that demonstrate strong storytelling, compelling characters, striking visuals, or technical innovation. Exceptional craftsmanship deserves to be celebrated, regardless of the filmmaker’s experience.
3. Engage and Challenge the Audience
Choose films that move, intrigue, provoke thought, or offer fresh perspectives. A great short film should resonate beyond its runtime — whether by stirring emotion, inspiring reflection, or opening a window to unfamiliar worlds or ideas.
4. Curate a Balanced Programme
Aim for a thoughtful blend of tones and formats: drama, comedy, suspense, experimental, light-hearted and heavy, brief and more substantial. Variety in pace, mood, and theme keeps the audience engaged and enhances the overall experience of the screening.
