Welcome to the McMinnville Short Film Festival. Come celebrate our 12th anniversary with us in February 2023!
Located one hour south of Portland, in the heart of Oregon wine country, the McMinnville Short Film Festival (MSFF) is a true filmmaker’s and film lover’s festival. Our team carefully considers every submission and we strive to identify independent voices and original storytellers. The MSFF has been selected as a “Top 100 Best Reviewed Festival” by FilmFreeway multiple times, most recently in 2020! Once selected, the films are then reviewed by our award winning and noteworthy film industry professionals to judge for category winners and awards.
We foster a critical component to the Oregon arts community by connecting local filmmakers with their counterparts around the world, and by providing a venue for culturally diverse screenings, events, and gatherings.
MSFF organizers cater to filmmakers from the moment a film is submitted to the moment the festival wraps. Experience why New York City based filmmaker, Nancy Nagrant, had this to say, "The McMinnville Short Film Festival stands out for all the right reasons: easy and prompt communication, high-quality programming, a great venue, and plenty of networking events where you can really get to know fellow attendees. The vibes here are fun, warm, and welcoming. You can feel MSFF’s love for film and filmmakers from the first email you receive to the closing night after party. Highly recommended."
The MSFF held an in-person 2022 festival showcasing over 105 short films from all over the world. Highlights included filmmaker Q & A's, networking mixers hosted at local wineries, and a fully catered closing awards ceremony with keynote speaker - and self proclaimed Angry Filmmaker - Kelley Baker (Good Will Hunting, Psycho, To Die For, Birddog.)
"Imagine screening your film in a beautiful setting with welcoming audiences who appreciate your work and what it takes to make a film. Imagine networking events where filmmakers truly want to help each other. Imagine world class wine and amazing restaurants. Now imagine yourself here, at the McMinnville Short Film Festival. Come once, and you’ll want to come back every year." - Kelley Baker, Independent Filmmaker & Author
We look forward to watching your work and celebrating independent filmmakers with you! Questions? Email: films@mcminnvillefilmfest.org.
vineyard photo credit: Linfield University
Each Official Selection will receive a certificate. Each Award Winner will receive a certificate and a trophy (cash prizes noted below.)
Grand Jury Award - $1000 prize
Founders Award - $500 Awarded to Outstanding Female Filmmaker
(Director, Writer, DP, Editor, and/or Producer are all eligible)
Will Vinton Award for Best Animated Short Film - $300 prize
Best Environmental Film (Sponsor: Zero Waste McMinnville) - $250 prize
Best Experimental / A Bit Strange
Best Documentary
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Suspense/Horror/Sci-fi
Best LGBTQ+
Best Oregon Filmmaker
Best Student Film (College)
Shawash Ilihi Award - presented in partnership with The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde