Independent Shorts Awards

Important note on COVID-19: Although currently postponed, all of the screenings and Q&As will be scheduled for the first safe opportunity, merged in extended events. Until then, ISA has also optional streaming opportunities for who wants to join, namely VOD or monthly subscription via ISA TV channel.
This means that our event dates designate, at this temporary stage, the day for the announcement of the award winners of each season. The respective live events will take place as soon as possible.
Everything else is working as usual.

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 with a major annual awards event at the same venue every August.
Besides the premiere screenings at one of the most prestigious venues of Hollywood, ISA offers a distribution deal to all award winners through its streaming TV channel, plus the exclusive ISA official trophy (at the annual event) and other rewards.

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.

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. As screening copies, we accept mov and mp4 files that we convert in DCP with no extra fees.

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

As an 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 streaming channel with the payment of shared revenue.

At the annual events, award winners receive also for free the official ISA trophy, an exclusive piece of art made in cristal. These trophies can be ordered by any award winner from the monthly rounds.

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 Screendance 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

All genres are accepted with a maximum length of 59 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.
4. You can withdraw your submission only during the 5 days after.
5. You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.

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).

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Nickel Road Productions

This was our first year to experience ISA, and it was absolutely wonderful! Very organized and ran top notch with every aspect...from communicating with the filmmaker, to networking and working social media! Would definitely return and highly recommend other filmmakers to submit. Thank you for having us be a part of Independent Shorts Awards! Best wishes!

August 2020

Helpful
Jennifer Plotzke

Great festival offering lots of opportunities to filmmakers. Wonderful communication and organization. Looking forward to more screenings in the future!

August 2020

Helpful
Jesse Gasca Garcia

Great film festival. I am very proud that I was part of this festival experience. I really enjoyed it.

August 2020

Helpful
Jim Norman

Very worthwhile festival with excellent communication. I will be submitting my next project.

August 2020

Helpful
Dina Faye Gilmore

Independent Shorts Awards have been excellent in every way! We have thoroughly enjoyed our warm welcome and are honored to have been selected as finalists for "Baby in the Basement!" Thank you for the amazing experience for our first film ISA! We will be back!

August 2020

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

August 12, 2020
Opening Date
August 14, 2020
Regular Deadline
September 8, 2020
Late Deadline
September 13, 2020
Notification Date
September 19, 2020
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Best Short Script
Under 35 pages.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Indie Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Drama Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Animation Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Documentary Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Experimental Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Student Short
Mandatory student status evidence (e.g copy of student card included in the project).
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $37.50
Submit Now
Best Microfilm
Under 5 minutes.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Romantic Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Comedy Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Dark Comedy Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Mystery Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Film Noir Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Crime Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Action Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Thriller Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Horror Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Fantasy Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Sci-Fi Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Western Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Parody Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Children Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best LGBTQ Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Women Short
Directed by a woman or about women.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Screendance Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Music Video
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Web and New Media
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Mobile Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Drone Short
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Director (Female)
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Director (Male)
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best First Time Director (Female)
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best First Time Director (Male)
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Student Director (Female)
Mandatory student status evidence (e.g copy of student card included in the project).
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $37.50
Submit Now
Best Student Director (Male)
Mandatory student status evidence (e.g copy of student card included in the project).
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $37.50
Submit Now
Best Young Filmmaker
Under 18. Mandatory age proof (e.g copy of ID included in the project).
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $40
- Gold Members: $30
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $50
- Gold Members: $37.50
Submit Now
Best Actress
Please include the name in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Actor
Please include the name in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Supporting Actress
Please include the name in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Supporting Actor
Please include the name in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Child/Young Actress
Under 18 (please include the name in the cover letter).
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Child/Young Actor
Under 18 (please include the name in the cover letter).
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Acting Duo
Please include the names in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Trailer/Teaser
Under 10 minutes.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Acting Ensemble
Please Include the names in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Cinematography
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Editing
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Production Design
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Sound Design
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Original Score
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Original Story
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Special FX
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now
Best Visual FX
Please include the name(s) in the cover letter.
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $45
- Student: $40
- Gold Members: $33.75
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $55
- Student: $50
- Gold Members: $41.25
Submit Now

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