IMDb qualifier's Independent Shorts Awards (ISA) is a Los Angeles-based international film festival, with monthly live screenings in Burbank, CA, and major annual awards events in Glendale, CA.

ISA is looking particularly 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 and are rated at their IMDb pages (if applicable). Some filmmakers, screenwriters and actors/actresses are invited for an interview or to provide ISA with BTS material to be published also in ISA website.

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
355 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Daniel Roy

    It was a pleasure to be apart of the Independent Shorts Awards. My team and I are truly honored to have had "22" selected. Thank you so much to the team of the Independent Shorts Awards. You guys are amazing and professional. We are looking forward to the annual awards ceremony. Again, thank you so much!

    March 2019
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  • Chaz Evans

    I like how they share all entries to promote the videos and they keep in contact with you throughout and are easy to work with.

    April 2019
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  • Debby Huvaere

    I was already thrilled to have made the official April '19 selection, but what an honor to have been awarded Gold for my short screenplay, while in the company of so many amazing projects. This was my first submission to ISA, and I was pleasantly surprised by their efforts to create visibility and recognition of the talent they receive in submission. Will definitely submit in projects in the future. Thank you!

    April 2019
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  • nicolas bosc

    i recommend it to all filmmakers

    April 2019
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  • Allisyn Arm

    Very happy with the quick results and quality of the festival! Great exposure for independent filmmakers! Our team was thrilled to be featured on the ISA website, and appreciated the mentions on social media!

    April 2019
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