Three Rivers - Shorts & Script Competition (formerly Pittsburgh Shorts)

CRITERIA
The Three Rivers Film Festival is open to all independent filmmakers, including college and graduate-level film students, as well as professionals in the field. Please note: Film Pittsburgh does not pay screening fees for short films.

Eligible films must adhere to the following criteria:
• Must be a Pittsburgh premiere (no prior public Pittsburgh screening)
• Films must have been completed in 2024 or later
• Foreign language films must have English subtitles
• Length: forty (40) minutes or less
• Single episodes of web series ARE eligible
• Films that are available online ARE eligible (must meet above criteria)

Eligible scripts must adhere to the following criteria:
• Screenplay submissions must be in English and be 15 pages or fewer.
SCRIPTS OVER 15 PAGES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
• Scripts written using any form of artificial intelligence (AI) are prohibited.
• Entrant(s) must hold all rights to perform, reproduce, display, and distribute their work
• The work must not have been previously optioned, sold, or produced

Feature-length films can be submitted to filmfreeway.com/ThreeRiversFilmFestival

ENTRY FORM
Entrants may submit more than one film or script. Each entry requires a separate submission form and fee.

Please include the following as part of your submission:
• Film synopsis (50 word maximum)
• Country of Origin
• Languages spoken in the film
• Type of film (Live Action, Documentary, or Animation)
• Length of film
• Prior Festival Screenings and Broadcast History
• Honors and Awards
• Filmmaker contact information
• Short Director’s Bio (100 word maximum)
• Short Personal Statement (100 word maximum)

ENTRY FORMAT:
Please submit online via FilmFreeway. Vimeo links are strongly preferred.

DATES
Entries are due by July 31, 2026

ENTRY FEES
Payments must be made via FilmFreeway at the time of submission.

NOTIFICATION
Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status by October 19, 2026.

PRODUCTION DELIVERABLES
Selected films will need to be submitted as follows:

Preferred format: ProResHQ 422 QuickTime File AND DCP

Also acceptable:
H264 QuickTime File (must be a maximum quality – 30mb/s or higher)
MP4 (must be a maximum quality MP4 – 30mb/s or higher)

• 1920 x 1080 Pixels
• 24 Frames Per Second (23.98fps is also accepted)
• 5.1 Audio (Stereo is also accepted)

The above-mentioned specs are preferred. If your project settings do not match, a master quality file of your project in its native frame-rate and resolution is acceptable.

Questions? Email us at: Info@FilmPittsburgh.org

Additional Terms and Conditions (aka the boring legal stuff, by submitting your film you agree to the following):
Film Pittsburgh is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, or ineligible entries. Entrants will retain all ownership rights to their submitted films and scripts. Scripts over 15 pages will not be read or considered. By entering this festival, the entrant certifies that they have the legal right to submit and exhibit the film and/or script and acknowledge the understanding that Pittsburgh Shorts does NOT pay screening fees to films that are selected and filmmaker authorizes Film Pittsburgh to include the film in festival screenings including special events that may take place prior to or following the official festival screening dates. The applicant is responsible and liable for any breach of rights or the law in the submission and exhibition process. Award winners will be required to sign an affidavit confirming that their short film or short script is original and that he/she/they hold all rights. Affidavits of winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. All federal, state, and local taxes, and customs fees, when applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winners. The undersigned assumes responsibility to ensure the submission payment information is complete and correct and agrees to reimburse Film Pittsburgh for any additional fees incurred by incorrect submission payments, submission disputes, and credit card chargebacks. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Film Pittsburgh for any and all fees, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving submission payment disputes, copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the content submitted and/or screened. By entering the festival, the entrant grants the right to publish or transmit portions of the film or script for the purpose of press or promotion, unless otherwise noted. Additionally, entry constitutes permission to use winner's name, likeness, and voice for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Void where prohibited.