Welcome to the International Film Festival OnlyShorts in Munich - an annual cinema event that brings together the world of short films in the unique atmosphere of Germany's cultural capital. Our festival will take place at the City Kinos cinema and will consist of several components:

We invite filmmakers from around the world to submit their entries for our festival. Our jury will analyze all entries and select the best short films for screening in the competition program of our festival. Selection will take place over several weeks, and results will be announced on June 28.

Our festival will be filled with exciting events, including screenings of the best short films, master classes, lectures, and networking. Over one day, festival participants will be able to enjoy watching up to 30 of the best short films selected by our jury. You will also have the opportunity to participate in master classes and lectures by invited speakers and industry experts who will talk about the latest trends in cinema. Additionally, you can discuss films and meet other festival participants during networking events.

For films that do not make it into our competition program, we will provide an online screening opportunity on our website (The option of online screening is provided at the request of the filmmakers whose works have been selected during the competition). This way, all viewers can enjoy the best short films regardless of whether they were shown in the cinema or not.

Our festival will be a unique cinema event that brings together filmmakers and movie lovers from around the world. Join us and discover the world of short films in all its glory! We aim to become a haven for independent filmmakers from around the world and help them increase their audience and attract the attention of viewers. We believe that every film we watch shapes the future of the industry and the world around us.

We invite you to participate in our festival, which will take place on July 15. Submit your entries by June 18 and showcase your talent to the world. Enjoy exciting events and meet talented filmmakers from around the world. We guarantee you an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on you.

Thank you for participating in the International Film Festival OnlyShorts in Munich!

Awards & Prizes

Winners in each category will receive prizes and certificates. In addition, we will also provide an opportunity to showcase films on our website and social media to expand their audience as much as possible. We believe that every participant in our festival deserves recognition and encouragement for their hard work and talent, and we will be happy to award the best works. Prizes may also be provided by festival sponsors or partners.

Rules & Terms

Official Regulations for Participation in the OnlyShorts Film Festival

1 Eligibility:

Open to all directors and producers worldwide.
Films must be produced in 2019 or later.
Maximum running time of 43 minutes.
Films must feature German or English dialogue or be subtitled in German or English.
Resubmissions of films previously submitted to OnlyShorts are allowed only if the film has not been shown at the festival before.
Only those involved in the film's direction, production, or those authorized by them can submit their films.
All genres and themes of short films are welcome, including animation, documentary, experimental, and narrative.

2 Submission Categories and Fees:

Different submission categories may have varying fees. Please refer to the festival website for specific details about submission fees for each category.
Student filmmakers must provide proof of their student status to qualify for a discounted submission fee.
All submission fees are non-refundable.

3 Rights:

By submitting a film, the filmmaker confirms that the film can be shown at the OnlyShorts festival and for advertising purposes on the festival's website, social media, and other promotional materials or events.
The filmmaker and respective rights holders agree to the free use of the film as part of the OnlyShorts event.
All third-party rights, including copyrights, performance protection laws, personality rights, name and trademark rights, must not be violated, and all third-party materials such as music, film, images, or text used in the film must have been cleared for use.
The submitter is fully responsible for the use of the respective film, including the necessary and reasonable costs of legal defense. The jurisdiction is Munich.
4 Submission and Entry Deadline:

The submission form with all necessary documents and the evaluation copy must be received by October 25, 2023, at OnlyShorts in Munich.
The submission occurs digitally and can only be sent by mail in exceptional cases. More information can be found on the festival website.

5 Judging and Selection:

All submitted films will be reviewed by a pre-selection committee and then by a jury panel.
The jury panel will consist of experienced professionals from the film industry, including directors, producers, actors, and film critics.
The selection process will be based on the originality, creativity, storytelling, and technical aspects of the films.

6 Screening Copy:

The final copy for screening should be of the highest possible quality.
Films in a language other than German or English must have German or English subtitles.
In case of trouble with the final screening copy, the evaluation copy will be used instead.

7 Notification:

Submitters will receive an email notification around the middle of October 2023 if their film has been accepted.
A list of all accepted films will be published on the festival's website at the end of October.

8 Awards and Prizes:

Awards will be presented in various categories, including Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Actor, Best Actress, and other special categories.
Winners in each category will receive prizes, certificates, and recognition on the festival's website and social media channels.
Prizes may be provided by festival sponsors or partners and may include cash, equipment, or other valuable items.

9 Film Promotion and Distribution:

By submitting a film, filmmakers grant OnlyShorts the right to use film stills, posters, and trailers for promotional purposes in perpetuity.
Filmmakers may also grant OnlyShorts the right to screen their films at future festival events or partner screenings to help promote the festival and the filmmakers' work.
Any additional promotional or distribution agreements must be negotiated separately between the filmmaker and OnlyShorts or its partners.

10 Privacy Policy:

OnlyShorts is committed to protecting the personal information of its participants and will not share personal information with third parties without the explicit consent of the participants.
By submitting a film, participants agree to receive occasional updates and promotional materials from OnlyShorts via email. Participants may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

Note: The festival administration reserves the right to change the time and location of the festival, and the payment for the application is non-refundable. In case of any disputes, the decision of the festival administration will be final.