IMDb qualifier's Independent Shorts Awards (ISA) is a Los Angeles-based international film festival, with monthly live screenings at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA, along a major annual awards event at the same venue.

ISA is looking for independent projects from all genres, particularly low or no-budget ones, as well as from all countries, especially from those traditionally underrepresented in the global film industry.

Each round, the submitted projects are judged by a random team of invited experts from academia and film industry, against a high standard of merit. The monthly winners are automatically qualified to compete and to be screened at ISA annual event. Some of them, selected by the programmers of ISA, are publicly screened in Los Angeles at the end of each monthly round.

Every submission can add numerous additional judging categories (via multiple submissions). The name(s) to be credited should be included in the cover letter or sent by email.

Awards & Prizes

All entries are promoted through our social media and website with a dedicated page with synopsis, film stills and trailer.
For this purpose, we recommend that projects must be fully entered on FilmFreeway, including film stills, production pictures, downloadable poster, and trailer or teaser.

All projects officially selected in each season receive the Independent Shorts Awards laurel and certificate. Some filmmakers, screenwriters and actors are invited for an interview or to provide ISA with BTS material to be published also in ISA website.

Some of the award-winning films are screened every month at the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, CA, and their crews invited to attend and participate in a public Q&A.

Based on the highest rates, the pools of monthly Platinum and Gold Awards given during the annual cycle (April 2019-March 2020) are eligible for the nominations for the 2020 annual awards. Our judges' committee can decide to nominate also other award-winning projects.

As additional reward, the highest rated projects from all categories receive a 12-month free subscription to IPitch and special discount waivers to submit to our sister film festivals.

Finally, the most competitive films are invited to join our exclusive online TV channel with the payment of royalties and shared revenue.

Judges score quality and creativity of entries on a performance scale and winning entries are recognized and awarded monthly at four levels:

Platinum Awards, Gold Awards, Silver Awards, and Bronze Awards.
It can be given also Honorable Mentions and Outstanding Achievement Awards.

The awards by category:
Best Short Script
Best Narrative Short
Best Indie Short
Best Student Short
Best Animation Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Microfilm
Best Music Video
Best Drama Short
Best Comedy Short
Best Dark Comedy Short
Best Thriller Short
Best Parody Short
Best Horror Short
Best Crime Short
Best Film Noir Short
Best Mystery Short
Best Fantasy Short
Best Sci-Fi Short
Best Western Short
Best Children Short
Best LGBTQ Short
Best Women Short
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
Best Web and New Media
Best Mobile Short
Best Drone Short
Best First Time Director (Female)
Best First Time Director (Male)
Best Young Filmmaker
Best Director (Female)
Best Director (Male)
Best Student Director (Female)
Best Student Director (Male)
Best Acting Ensemble
Best Acting Duo
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Child/Young Actor
Best Child/Young Actress
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Sound Design
Best Original Score
Best Original Story
Best Special FX
Best Visual FX
Best Trailer/Teaser

Rules & Terms

All genres are accepted with a maximum length of 55 minutes.
For student fees, it is mandatory the student status evidence (e.g copy of student card included in the project).

The films must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English).

By submitting your film, you agree that:
1. Independent Shorts Awards can use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster) for promotional purpose.
2. Entry fees are non-refundable.
3. You own all the rights to the film.

Independent Shorts Awards does not accept the following:

1. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations.
2. Films which are made before 2000.
3. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, or video resolution less than 720p HD).

Independent Shorts Awards 2018/19 © All Rights Reserved
426 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Valeria Jiménez Montes de Oca

    took the time to watch my movie and suggest me to apply for another category :)

    September 2019
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  • Bradley Dunn

    Awesome festival, extremely glad i entered my film. Very supportive and great communication!

    September 2019
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  • Patrick Krawec

    The best festival we’ve submitted to!! highly recommend:)

    September 2019
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  • Jennifer Trudrung

    Very supportive to independent filmmakers and great communication! Glad to be a part of this!

    September 2019
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  • Anna Anaka

    I had a wonderful experience with this festival and I truly appreciate all of their efforts in the promotion and support of independent film! As an emerging filmmaker, it was truly an honour to be selected and awarded by this festival. I wouldn't hesitate to submit projects to them in the future. Thanks ISA!

    September 2019
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