LA Shorts International Film Festival ranks among the most prestigious and largest international short film festivals in the world. The festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television.

LA Shorts is the first and longest running short film festival in Los Angeles. The festival attracts over 8,000 attendees each year including Hollywood industry professionals and emerging undiscovered independent filmmakers.

The 2018 Oscar Nominees included 4 films previously screened at LA Shorts.
The 2017 Oscar Nominees included 3 films previously screened at LA Shorts.
The 2016 Oscar winners in Live Action Short and Animated Short both screened at LA Shorts.

A total of 54 LA Shorts filmmakers have earned Academy Award® nominations, with 15 taking home the Oscar.

LA Shorts is an official qualifying event for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) short film awards. Award-winners at the festival are eligible to win BAFTA's

LA Shorts is recognize by The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT) presenters of the Canadian Screen Awards.

Those who have been honored at the festival include directors, Jon Favreau, Paul Haggis, Bryan Singer, Jan de Bont, Shane Black, and actors Gary Oldman, James Woods, Martin Landau and Richard Dreyfuss. Many recognized actors and directors have screened films and attended the festival such as Scarlett Johansson, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Courteney Cox, Tim Burton, Jason Reitman, Terry Gilliam, Spike Jonze, Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel, Rachel Weisz, Hilary Swank, Josh Brolin, Kirsten Dunst, Rita Wilson, Ralph Macchio, Ricky Gervais, Vin Diesel and many more.

Last year's opening night was sold out with special guests; John Stamos, Dean Cain, Matthew Modine, Michael Flatley, Bai Ling and Robin Wright.

LA Shorts annually attracts more than 8,000 moviegoers, filmmakers and entertainment professionals looking for new talent.

The film programming screens all genres from a wide spectrum of categories with high to low budget films under 45 minutes. From recognizable celebrities directors and actors to the finest student films from college and even some high schoolers- its all here!

Opening Night Gala, Closing Night Awards Ceremony, Industry panels & workshops. Parties and much much more fun excitement and special surprises.

The 22nd annual LA Shorts International Film Festival will be held at L.A. LIVE Regal Cinemas and the Laemmle NoHo 7 Theatres.

L.A. LIVE is a sports & entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles adjacent to Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center featuring Microsoft Theatre and The Novo, the Grammy Museum, the 14-screen Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 theatre, and ESPN broadcasting studios

Awards & Prizes

*ACADEMY AWARD® QUALIFYING

Best of Fest*
Best Foreign Film*
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Animation*
Best Experimental
Best Documentary*

Best Actor
Best Actress

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Films must NOT have screened in Los Angeles county prior to our festival.
Films must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2017.
All non-English films must have English subtitles.
Films must be submitted via online screener.
Works-in-progress will be considered, provided they will be completed prior to the festival.
Do NOT send stills or press kits. If your film is selected we will ask you to email us a still in jpeg format.

You may submit more than one film, but you must complete a separate entry form and pay entry fee for each film.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ari Felix

    THE OTHERS premiered at this year's LA Shorts and it screened in the same block as the film that won, so it was in great company! This fest was fun, informative and lively, run by a staff who know what they're doing. Excellent communication from start to finish. Thanks to the entire team!

    October 2017
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  • Ursula Taherian

    Was so honored to screen my film, "The Brownlist", at LA Shorts this year. Bob, the festival director, is an incredible human being with an obvious love for film and filmmakers. The communication was excellent (thanks, Julie!), the events were super fun, and most importantly, the quality of the films was mind-blowing. I hope I'm lucky enough to screen here again someday. Thank you, LA Shorts!!

    September 2017
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  • Randall Whittinghill

    A great festival and fun networking events. Thanks I had a blast.

    August 2017
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  • Jan Stanton

    THINK FAST was thrilled to premiere in L.A. at LA Shorts International Film Festival. The LAShorts Team was hugely helpful; the venues were great; and the films were impressive!

    August 2017
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