A festival for amateur and professional filmmakers, we welcome short films of any genre, of no more than 20 minutes in length. Filmmakers call us "a festival for filmmakers!" where we honor the filmmakers first and foremost.

Rated Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals by filmmakers on FilmFreeway, experience for yourself why the MSFF is worth participating in.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Jury Prize - $500 cash prize

Best Director
Best Story
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Music/Score
Best Sound Mixing
Best Actor
Best Actress

Will Vinton Award for Best Animated Film - a $150 cash prize
Sunrise Rotary Award - a $100 cash prize
Recology Sustainability Award - a $100 cash prize

Rules & Terms

Short films in any genre, maximum 20 minutes in length.

The Will Vinton Award for Best Animated Film will be awarded to the top scoring animated film. Will Vinton, a native of McMinnville, OR, is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and pioneer of Claymation. He is supporting this award and festival to encourage animation filmmakers!

Recology Sustainability Award
Recology’s vision is a world without waste. This employee-owned company carries out its vision through community based services, educational programs and innovative engineering solutions that promote the 3 R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle.

The Recology Sustainability Award will go to a filmmaker who demonstrates and promotes environmental sustainability as a major theme in their short film. Themes can include but are not limited to:

• Natural Resource Conservation
• Waste Reduction Outreach and Education
• Sustainable Product Production, Use and Management

A panel of judges will review the qualifying films and select the film that best fits this award.

Sunrise Rotary Award
The Sunrise Rotary Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding achievement by an Oregon-based filmmaker. Whether a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned veteran, the films produced by artists within Oregon are watched and judged by members of the McMinnville Sunrise Rotary Club during a special viewing prior to the festival. All genres are given consideration and voted on by the viewing members.

12 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Stevie Jackson

    One of our favourite festivals! Thanks so much for screening "Honestly Charlotte."

    May 2018
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  • Debra Sears

    A warm and welcoming festival which was very well organized and a pleasure to attend.

    October 2017
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  • Franklin Fuentes

    Such an amazing festival! Great people. Everyone is very personable and friendly.

    October 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Franklin! It was an honor to show "On Her Lips!" - such a great film! It truly added to our festival.

  • Zach Putnam

    What an incredible experience the McMinnville Short Film Fest was! In this charming little town nestled in Oregon's wine country, the festival organizers curated a sophisticated collection of high caliber films from both local and international directors. They create a welcoming environment for all attendees, but as a filmmaker, it felt like I was treated like a king! The festival program also included interesting panels and speakers, and it was a great setting for networking too. From the filmmakers reception to the final awards dinner, every detail of this festival was planned and executed to perfection. Any filmmaker would be lucky to have their film selected for the MSFF!

    October 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Wow! Zach, this means so much. Thank you! We love meeting filmmakers like yourself and showcasing such amazing films. It's our honor and privilege. Hope to see you at a future festival!

  • Phillip Guzzo

    A great little film festival. Nice access to filmmakers and other attendees and a well rounded selection of films. This festival gets better an better every year!

    July 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Phil! This means a lot. We appreciate your continued support and hope to see more films from you.