Lancaster's own premiere, and longest running short film festival is an exciting and friendly event in the historic City of Lancaster in the North West of England. Our main festival screenings are held at the city's very special "Dukes Cinema", along with other venues specific to Documentary and/or Music screenings which screen later in the year.

Our small independent team continues to champion UK short film, and shine a spotlight on supporting Lancashire Filmmakers. We accept submissions from UK based short film makers of films made in the UK, through the following categories; "LA1Shorts Best National Film" for UK wide submissions, a locally focused "Lancashire Audience Choice Award" for Lancashire Filmmakers only, our "LA1Docs" for short documentary films with a Health & Wellbeing theme in connection with Lancaster University and only screened later in the year, and Music Video screenings, "LA1Music", working with other venues such as The Gregson Arts and Community Centre to screen music Videos for Lancaster Music Festival, again at a date later in the year.

Everyone has to start somewhere, with basic kit and skill, so we like to support grass roots filmmakers where we can, and offer advice where necessary. If you are a new or first time filmmaker, feel free to message us if you think your film suits our event but would like advice.

To submit to LA1Shorts your film should be "MADE IN THE UK" and have a maximum length of 16 minutes. If you enter the "Lancashire Audience Choice" category you or someone on your production team must have a Lancashire postal address, or your film must be made in Lancashire. We prefer films in DCP format but don't let this put you off, we will offer support here where we can. (Documentary are not required in DCP)

This festival offers selected "LA1 Shorts National Best Film" and "Lancashire Audience Choice" films a screening opportunity in front of a packed auditorium at Lancaster’s renowned Dukes Cinema. We aim to allow networking and chat with other filmmakers, sometimes "pre-screenings in our Gallery" - but time is always tight and there isn't always time for Q&A. We hand out awards for these categories at the end of the evening.
We look forward to seeing your film, and meeting you!

Awards & Prizes

We show all "selected for screening "National Best Film" and "Lancashire Audience Choice" short films at the Dukes Cinema, Lancaster. This screening event will be open to filmmakers and the general public.
The "LA1Shorts Best Film" will be decided by a judging panel. Everyone attending the screening will have the right to vote for their favourite film for the "Lancashire Audience Choice Award". Both the “National Best Film” and "Lancashire Audience Choice" winners will be announced and rewarded that evening. We wish we could screen everything, but we do our best with a varied and quality selection.
LA1Docs and LA1Music selections will be screened at a later date and screened at Lancaster Health Innovation Campus and The Gregson Arts & Community Centre.

Kindly supported by The Dukes Theatre, Atkinsons, Health Innovation Campus.

Rules & Terms

All films should be 16 minutes or less in length.
Entries must be UK based short film.
Only Lancashire postcodes or Filmed in Lancashire, are eligible for the Audience Choice Award.

The entry fee taken when submitting your film on the FilmFreeway website is non-refundable.

If possible please provide your film in DCP format.

All films will be viewed by a selection panel made up of industry professionals. All shortlisted entries selected to be screened during the festival will be notified as early as possible prior to the festival date.

All category winners will be notified on the night during the festival once all entries have been screened, and on FilmFreeway.

All selection & judging decisions are final.

Please upload your film via the FilmFreeway website.
Films and Digital marketing materials should be made available to be used for our marketing purposes asap.

Any conflicts of interest between filmmakers & the selection panel should be declared to the film festival organisers IMMEDIATELY.

I have read and accept the Rules and Terms of the LA1 Shorts Film Festival.
I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these Rules and Terms.

I authorise LA1Shorts to exhibit my film if selected. I confirm that an exhibition copy will be made available in a required format for screening during the festival.

I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to LA1Shorts and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.

By Agreeing to these Rules and Terms, I transfer to the LA1Shorts Film Festival the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the festival.

28 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lewis Charlesworth

    Highly recommended festival. Warm, impressive, engaging, hospitable, big screen, well attended, great location and good networking opportunities. Couldn't ask for more.

    June 2026
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  • Ruth Hanson

    I had such a brilliant time at LA1 Shorts! The organisers were so friendly and helpful in the lead up to the festival and on the day itself, and provided great opportunties, particularly a really welcoming meet and greet with the festival team, local industry contacts and other selected filmmakers. Thank you LA1 Shorts, and congratulations on 10 years! I look forwards to submitting again!

    June 2026
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  • Leonie Watkins

    I can't say enough good things about this incredible festival and the people who run it. We had the best time at the tenth anniversary of LA1 Shorts in Lancaster. Steve and the team go above and beyond to make outsiders and locals alike feel welcome. A truly unique festival that upholds its roots and champions local filmmakers. We were bowled over by the range of talent showcased by filmmakers from the region. Our film, RABBIT EARS, was lucky enough to take home the Best National Short Film prize! Thank you for having us, LA1Shorts.

    June 2026
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  • Joe Stebbens

    I was so pleased that our short film 'STABLES' was selected, and went on to win the LA1 Shorts Best Film award. The whole evening was a wonderful celebration of incredibly talented filmmakers from the area, and across the UK, with some amazing films being screened. Steve was a wonderful host and made everyone the whole team feel very welcome. I would highly recommend submitting and attending - bring on next year!

    May 2025
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  • Georgia Leigh-Taylor

    I was thrilled to have my short film Got Guts in this years programme. Steve is such a brilliant festival director, put on such a lovely night and really gave every filmmaker their moment to shine. I had the best audience reaction to my film in my fest run so far. Would absolutely recommend getting your work into LA1 Shorts!

    May 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for the lovely review Georgia! We really enjoyed meeting you and loved your film. It was a close run thing, but you were a very worthy runner up in our LA1 Best Film category! Best of luck with future screenings!