Greetings, and welcome to the Loveland Shorts Film Festival!
We are committed to producing a festival that is top-tier and one that attending filmmakers want to return to year after year. Our focus is entirely on Short Film entries; those that are 20 minutes or less in length.

Our second annual festival will take place in the city of Loveland, Ohio on August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The venue for the festival is a quaint movie theater in our historic downtown with a seating capacity of 180 with additional rooms for workshops and concessions.

Loveland, also known as “The Sweetheart of Ohio,” is rated one of the ten best small towns in the state. The arts-focused community is home to art festivals and art crawls, live theater, music venues, an authentic medieval castle, and the LSFF. The beautiful Little Miami River and Ohio bike trail run through the middle of town, offering scenic views for outdoor enthusiasts enjoying kayaking, canoeing, biking, or just wandering through boutique shops and restaurants for all tastes.

Come join us for our annual Short Film Festival and experience Loveland, “the sweetheart of Ohio”. For a peek at our small town, be sure to check out our promotional video on our website: Lovelandfilmfest.org

Our Award Ceremony will take place during our Sunday Coffee & Donut celebration where filmmakers and festival VIP's will be our guests. In 2024, trophies were awarded to filmmakers in the following categories:
Best of the Fest
Sweetheart of the Fest
Best Horror
Best of the Region
Best High School Film
Best First Time Filmmaker
Best Documentary
Best Animation
We look forward to honoring all our filmmakers.

​Loveland shorts, herein referred to as “the Festival“ is a celebration of the Filmmaker, Art Lovers, and visitors to our welcoming community, Loveland, Ohio. The festival is open to filmmakers of all backgrounds, including established and emerging artists.

SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY AND ​GUIDELINES:
- Film submissions must be made through our FilmFreeway page.
- All categories and forms of artistic expression are welcome.
- Films submitted must be 20 minutes duration or less.
- All entries must be in English or subtitled in English.
- Films must have been completed after 2021.
- There are no restrictions relative to premier status, or whether your film was previously available online.
- Filmmakers must provide all required information and materials during the submission process to have your film considered.
- By submitting a film, Filmmakers grant the Festival permission to screen your film if accepted into this year’s lineup.

SELECTION PROCESS:
- Submissions will be reviewed by programmers and judges selected by the Festival.
- Programmers and judges will use criteria such as originality, storytelling, technical execution, and overall impact to evaluate Films.
- Filmmakers will be notified of their film status by July 8, 2024.
- All decisions by programmers and judges are final. And, no refund of entry fee will be made.

AWARDS:
- Our festival will offer awards in various categories to celebrate our winning Filmmakers. Award Ceremony details will be announced closer to festival dates.

PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY
- By submitting a film to the Festival, Filmmakers grant the right to use clips, trailers, posters, and other materials for promotional purposes for the Festival.

- Filmmakers confirm they have obtained all necessary permission and licenses for the
content of their submitted film.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

By submitting to the ​Festival, ​Filmmaker agrees to the Festival's terms & conditions.

​Representations and Warranties:
- The Filmmaker is authorized on his/her own behalf, and on behalf of all of their persons or entities who have any ownership, rights or interests​ (including, without limitation, for all images, photographs, logos, recordings, music, and performances) ​in or relating to the ​Film to exhibit at the ​Festival.

Liability:
- The ​Filmmaker agrees that the ​Festival, its employees, officers, directors, volunteers, and agents shall not be liable for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, or liabilities, including without limitation, attorneys​' fees, and costs arising out of or in connection with the screening, exhibition, or promotion of the ​Film during the ​Festival. It is understood that the ​Festival​'s total liability for any claims and/or causes of action shall not exceed and is limited to the total amount paid to the ​Festival in entry fees by the Filmmaker.

Indemnification
- The​ Filmmaker agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the ​Festival, its employees, officers, directors, volunteers, and agents from and against all claims, damages, losses, expenses, or liabilities, including without limitation, attorneys​' fees, and cost, ​arising​ out of or in connection with any breach of ​Filmmaker​'s representations, warrantees, copyright, or any claim or dispute related to the ​Film or ​Filmmaker​'s participation in the festival.

The Festival reserves the right to amend these Rules and General Provisions. Any changes will be posted and highlighted within Rules & Terms.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Carly Baker

    Great festival, really enjoyed seeing our film on the big screen!

    September 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Carly, thank you for the kind words. I really enjoyed your film and hope to see you and your next film at the 2025 LSFF!!
    Gary and the LSFF Team

  • Glenn Berkenkamp

    FADE IN:
    EXT. LOVELAND, OHIO -
    Everything about this city is lovely and inviting. The shops, the park, the walking/bike path, the restaurants, the river that gently winds its way through it, and the people - making you feel right at home as they go about their day.
    I'm so pleased that I submitted my film Grey to the inaugural Loveland Shorts Film Festival. Gary, Mark, Kelly, Dan, and the rest of the LSFF team did a fantastic job. The festival ran smoothly. The screenings were very well attended with audiences that were deeply engaged and stayed for the Q&As following each screening block. The after parties allowed plenty of time for filmmakers to get to know one another. The Sunday morning award ceremony was also well attended and the awards themselves were beautiful. I have no doubt that this festival will become one of the premiere short film festival destinations. And I will forever be proud that our film, Grey, was awarded the Best of the Fest award in such a special place.

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Glenn, thank you for the kind words. It was a our pleasure getting to meet you, spend some time with you and screen GREY. We hope that you submit your next film to the LSFF and visit us again in the"Sweet Heart of Ohio", Loveland.
    Gary and the LSFF Team

  • We absolutely LOVEd attending the Loveland Film Fest. Very organized, and a great opportunity to watch amazing films and network with local filmmakers as well as global. We cannot wait to return in 2025!

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    VPC, thank you for the kind words. It was a pleasure getting to meet you and we look forward to seeing more of the VPC's films in 2025.
    Gary & Team

  • Don Hessell & Alan LaFave

    We have lots of LOVE for LOVELAND!! This fest accomplished more in one year than other festivals have in many years. Such a great start, and it must mean they have an amazing group of dedicated people who are invested in making a festival that'll last. They care they took with communication, time put into marketing & creating a buzz, and the care they had for their filmmakers & audience is priceless. Highly recommend this young fest who is making a name for themselves!

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Don and Alan, thank you for the kind words. The LSFF team is a group of passionate and dedicated individuals whose focus is to host a festival that creates a meaningful experience for the filmmakers and the film goers. From the feedback we are getting, I think we met that goal. We look forward to seeing more of your films and you in 2025.
    Gary & Team

  • Have you ever shown up to a film festival only to find out that you're the only on in the theatre watching your own film? This is NOT THAT! One of the better festivals I have attended. A packed house for every block of films and not just the other filmmakers! They got the whole community involved in this event and the filmmakers get real audience feedback. For their first year out, they certainly did this right!

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Brandon,
    Thank you for the kind feedback. The LSFF team worked hard marking the festival to the Loveland community and surrounding area. And it paid off. The buzz is that the patrons thoroughly enjoyed all of the films and they are already talking about the 2025 festival. We look forward to seeing more of your films and seeing you at the next festival.

    Gary & Team