The 18th London Short Film Festival will be held from 15th-23rd January 2021.

A platform for independent short filmmaking and the eclecticism of its many forms and voices, each year London Short Film Festival curates over 500 short works from across the world. As always, LSFF is proud to welcome both UK and international submissions and are looking for works demonstrating formal innovation, a uniqueness of tone, and an engagement with cultural, political and social conversations happening around the globe.

Each edition, we take over some of London’s flagship cinematic venues - from the Institute of Contemporary Arts to the British Film Institute - and award cash prizes to the UK and international short films screening in our annual Competition programme.

Awards & Prizes

Each year, the festival appoints an international jury who deliberate on the following categories and award prizes of over £6000 in value.

LSFF 2020’s international jury, supported by the British Council, comprised of actor Stacy Martin (Nymphomaniac, Vox Lux), musician and visual artist Baloji (Zombies), and programmer Lydia Ogwang (Toronto International Film Festival).

BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM
Sponsored by the British Council

The Best British Short Film award champions stimulating filmmaking in the UK with the winner receiving a £1500 grant towards their next project and the opportunity to screen their work through i. A Special Mention is awarded £500 towards their next project.

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
In association with frieze

The Best International Short Film award celebrates ambitious filmmaking from across the globe and the winner receives an award of £1500.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
The Best Documentary Short Film award recognises an outstanding ability to use the documentary form engagingly. The winner receives an award of £1000.

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
The Best Animated Short Film award recognises the skillful rendering of worlds in their chosen animated form and the winner receives an award of £1000.

BEST LO-BUDGET SHORT FILM
The Best Lo-Budget Short Film award recognises work that is imaginative, resourceful and tells stories masterfully with limited to no resource. The winner receives an award of £500.

RANDOM ACTS AWARD
The LSFF Random Acts award commends independent experimental film work under 5 minutes which boldly expresses creative spirit. All films in the festival under 5 minutes are in consideration and the winner will have the opportunity to have their film screened on Random Acts platforms subject to broadcast T&Cs.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE NOTE: LSFF does not accept speculative submissions. Only entries received via FilmFreeway will be considered.

Submissions are open to short form from every genre - including drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentary, animation, experimental work, music video etc. - and we are particularly excited by artist’s filmmaking and moving image.

Entries are open to both UK and international filmmakers based outside the UK, with two separate tiers of submission broken down in the side-bar.

All films under 5 minutes in length qualify for either our UK or international lo-budget category dependent on country of filming.

All submissions are fully considered and curated by our team of programmers, pre-selectors and review committee. Please note, due to the volume of entries received, we regret we cannot give individual feedback on submissions.

All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries without subtitles, or supplementary printed translations, will unfortunately be disqualified.

Films must have been completed after 1st January 2019, though LSFF does not require any premiere status.

Films must be no longer than 45 minutes.

Only completed entries with paid submission fees will be processed and considered for screening.

Entry fees are not refundable.

Only completed films may be submitted and will be considered.

Should your film be selected, you will be required to provide a Quicktime ProRes file and a DCP of your film.

We are a BAFTA affiliated festival, enabling accepted UK filmmakers to apply for the 2021 BAFTAs.
26 Reviews
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  • Paul Tarrago

    An adventurous, ever imaginative, and truly independent festival. It was a real pleasure to attend.

    February 2020
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  • Emilie Sheehan

    A very friendly and professional festival. Unfortunately I couldn't attend but friends did and were very impressed with the line up. Definitely recommend.

    January 2020
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  • Hesam Rahmani

    It was great.
    Thank you for your fantastic festival.

    January 2020
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  • Ben Young

    Seriously brilliant programming, outstanding organisation - LSFF is everything. A model for other shorts festivals. Huge thanks to Miranda and the rest of the team.

    January 2020
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  • Andy Sowerby

    LSFF is always a great festival. They have excellent curation and outstanding communication.

    January 2020
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