One-Reeler is a unique international awards competition that recognizes and promotes short films with a runtime of 12 minutes or less. Attracting filmmakers from all over the world, the competition emphasizes original, concise and impactful storytelling – the same qualities film festivals and distributors look for. With hundreds of short films submitted every year from all over the world, placement in our competition signifies to the film industry that your “one-reeler” is exceptional. Past competition Winners have also won or been nominated for: BAFTAs, Critics Choice Awards, Emmys, Genie Awards, Golden Globes, Hollywood Film Awards, Saturn Awards.

Awards & Prizes

Winner laurels in gold, black, and white for your film's marketing and promotion; indefinite listing on the One-Reeler website; custom 24k One-Reeler Winner Statuette for our Best Short Film winner; IMDb Awards credit for all films that place in the competition; scorecards available.

***IMPORTANT*** Additional confirmations + notifications regarding your submission will come directly from One-Reeler. If you do not receive a One-Reeler confirmation from our Coordinator (jeff@one-reeler.net) within 48 hours of your FilmFreeway submission, please check your spam folder and ensure future communications are not blocked by your e-mail client.

Rules & Terms

• Submissions must be 12 minutes or less (excluding end credits).

• Submissions in other than English must be subtitled English.

• Screenplay submissions must be uploaded as a PDF file, typed in English, and properly formatted using 12-point Courier font. Most screenwriting software will do this for you.

• Please provide an online link to your submission and be sure to include the password on our submission form if applicable. DVDs are not accepted.
148 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Don Gage

    Very rewarding experience. This festival is professional and courteous. Their communication is exemplary and they are quick to answer any questions. Highly recommended.

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Don! We hope to see more short films from you in the future.

    - One-Reeler Team

  • Michael Fantauzzi

    Thank yoy very much for appreciating my movie Gags!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Michael,

    We really enjoyed Gags and are honored to include it among our Winners! We hope to see more short films from you in the near-future.

    Best,
    One-Reeler Team

  • Amy （王亦淳）

    Happy to be the winner as special mention in this festival Thank you:)

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Amy,

    Yes, congratulations once again on your placement! We really enjoyed Pain From You and hope to see more of your work in the near-future.

    Best,
    One-Reeler Team

  • Mike Bennion

    A great honour to be a winner at this excellent competition!

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hello Mike,

    Thank you for taking the time to write this review and congratulations once again on your placement! We hope you had positive experience and hope to see more short films from you in the future.

    Best,
    One-Reeler Team

  • Rohan Gnaniah

    I am so happy and honored to share that our film "Croaked!" won our first award from the One-Reeler Short Film Competition this summer. Thank you so much to the judges!

    November 2025
    Helpful