PIGEON LAUGHS SCFF is the first comedy short film festival in Cardiff. The festival celebrates comedy as a highly regarded genre and are seeking submissions from the most inventive film makers and, of course, the funniest shorts from both UK and International creatives.

The 4th edition will be taking place in Cardiff on the 21st- 22nd of March 2027

WHAT MAKES PIGEON LAUGHS FESTIVAL UNIQUE?

PIGEON LAUGHS mission statement is to celebrate comedy at its best filmic and creative regard. We want to create a festival based in Wales where we can celebrate comedy shorts in an accessible form, whilst being proud to showcase, connect and promote talented comedy directors, actors, producers (and more!) from all over the world.

The Festival will feature an official selected programme where audience members can vote for which shorts will be included in the competition programme!

Selected and shortlisted creatives will also be invited for an exciting Comedy networking event and other comedy-related activities in Cardiff !

Every ranked piece of work/ selected short will receive a honorary diploma.

AWARDS:

Best of Fest 🏆

For the short film/ piece of work that best represents the spirit of the festival. Most outstanding comedic filmic work on screen.

Best Performance 🏆

For the best comedic performance represented by an individual or ensemble cast.

Best Welsh Director 🏆
Cyfarwyddwr/wraig Cymraeg Gorau

For best directing work by a Welsh or Wales based director.
Gwobr i’r gwaith cyfarwyddo gorau gan gyfarwyddwr/wraig Cymraeg neu gyfarwyddwr/wraig sy'n byw yng Nghymru

Best of Made-in-Wales 🏆
Gwobr 'Made-in-Wales'

For the best piece of work/ short made in Wales or with a strong root to Wales (Welsh cast, crew or story).

Gwobr i’r gwaith gorau a chafodd ei wneud yng Nghymru neu fod gan y gwaith gysylltiad cryf â Chymru (cast, criw neu stori Gymraeg)

Best Costume/Prop 🏆

For most inventive comedic prop or outstanding costume in a piece of work/ short.

Best Short Sketch 🏆

For the funniest short sketch. Shot on a phone/tablet or Digital.

Best Animation Short 🏆

PIGEON LAUGHS ISCFF – TERMS & CONDITIONS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND FESTIVAL RULES:

(1) Eligibility: The festival is open to all individuals and production companies worldwide. Films must be in English or have English subtitles.

(2) Film Submission: Films must be original works, and cannot have been shown publicly or commercially prior to the festival. All entries must be received by the deadline listed on the festival website.

(3) Genre: Films submitted must fall within the comedy genre and must not contain any material that is defamatory, obscene, or in any way offensive. The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that does not meet these criteria.

(4) The PIGEON LAUGHS INTERNATIONAL SHORT COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL (PLISCFF) decision is final, and we cannot enter into discussion about films not accepted.

(5) PLISCFF reserves the right to schedule accepted SUBMISSIONS and to make any changes at any time, and may withdraw any SUBMISSION from the festival at any time for any reason;

(6) If your film is chosen to screen in competition, we will send you an acceptance email and request a digital transfer of your short film. The file must be received by the date stated in the acceptance email- your short may not be screened in case the digital files does not get sent in due course.

(7) If selected, your film can only be screened for the festival edition you have submitted to. We cannot postpone screenings of your film to later festivals.

(8) PLISCFF is hereby granted the right to utilize for up to a year after the festival an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized for up to a year after the festival to commit the film for screening (including but not limited to multiple screenings in multiple U.K. and International locations), and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

(9) By submitting your entry into our festival competition, you hereby grant us a perpetual, world-wide, royalty free, non-exclusive license to publish, sample, and sub-license the film/work, solely in relation to the promotional purposes of PLISCFF, and in support of the Festival (including but not being limited to, screening your film/work on our YouTube channel and our affiliate distribution partners). This allows us to promote and share your comedy in a way that reaches an audience of engaged fans. Wherever reasonably possible, you (or the author of the film/work) shall be properly credited and referenced and neither PLISCFF acquire any ownership rights in your film/work. *

(10) *Please note that we will notify you if we intend to curate your work in programs outside of the festival screenings and you will be given the opportunity to opt out.

(11) By submitting your entry into our festival competition, you confirm that the film/work is original and that you have obtained all necessary consents from all collaborators (including but not being limited co-producers, co-writers, directors and performers) to submit the film/work into competition (together with the purposes described in clause 8 above). Further you confirm that entry of the film/work and PSLICFF’s (and it partner’s) use of the film/work will not infringe the rights of any third party.

(12) Submitting a SUBMISSION does not guarantee inclusion in the PLISFF, and the selection committee has sole discretion to determine which SUBMISSIONS are selected for participation in the festival;

(13) Judging: Films will be judged by a panel of industry professionals, and the decisions of the judges are final.

(14) Prizes: Prizes will be awarded to the top three films in each category. The prize details can be found on the festival website, social media or YouTube channel.

(15) By submitting your SUBMISSION to PLISCFF you agree to the above rules described.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Gavin Irvine

    Thoroughly enjoyed attending this fab festival. Two things that really impressed me: José's unbound enthusiasm for comedy and his genuine warmth as a host, and the venue itself - the projection and sound was top-notch in comparison to many other festivals I've been to. I'll definitely be entering future projects. Bravo, José!

    April 2026
  • Friendly team, great communication, and most importantly, some really good films (and audience). We would definitely go again 👍

    April 2026
  • Malcolm Lamont

    Pigeon Laughs is a fantastic festival. The quality and variety of films was excellent and the organizers did a really great job of keeping the filmmakers updated before and after the event with everything that was happening throughout the weekend either by email or on their social media channels. This one is definitely worth the entry fee!

    April 2026
  • Eleanor Mason

    Pigeon Laughs was a great experience, the venue was fantastic and the shorts selected were genuinely so funny. It's good value for the audience and we loved seeing our film on screen.

    April 2026
  • Annabel Vine

    What luch festival dedicated to all things comedy. Thanks so much for all the support. Amazing team.

    March 2026