PDSFF27 | SHOCKWAVES

Our world is shaped by shockwaves: violent spikes testing the limits of what we thought was possible. Politics become explosions, earthquakes and colliding cosmic bodies, forcing sudden pressure waves upon us, destroying our surroundings. So what remains after another wave of urge washes over us? What can we gather from the ground before the next wave buries everything again?

Shockwaves are fast and destructive, but we can find ways to hijack them, to use them for transformation, even healing. In the dips between our struggles, we need to find the power - not only to catch our breath - but to experience joy, allowing us to stand together against the flow, not go with it.

With care and joy, we build a momentum capable of resisting the pressure of the upcoming waves. We will not be swayed.

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We invite filmmakers, documentarists, visual content creators, students and emerging artists to submit their short films. We are particularly interested in the topic of intersectionality; in the stories of characters, communities and individuals that, due to their identities and life-experiences, remain unseen.

Our team and audience are charmed by aesthetic coherence as much as they are excited by simplicity. Shorts that reflect bold visions and personal urgency are, essentially, what we are after! Share your shorts with us! We eagerly await them, and look forward to meeting you in the cinema for 5 days of screenings, discussions, and parallel events.

Early Bird Deadline (3 euros): 19 July 2026
Submissions Deadline: 4 September 2026
Fee: 8 euros

Awards & Prizes

Best Film Award: 1000 euro
Audience Award: 500 euro
Best Greek Film Award: 500 euro
Curatorial Team Award: 500 euro

Travel & subsistence costs: The festival will support all finalists to join in person.

Rules & Terms

- Early bird deadline: 19 July 2026 [3 euros]
- Regular submission deadline: 4 September 2026 [8 euros]
- Topics: Intersectionality; LGBTQI+; feminism; social justice; privilege.
- Age of video makers: There is no age limit to the participants in the competition.
- Origin: There is no limitation or restriction to the origin of the video or its author.
- Duration: Videos should be up to 30 minutes long.
- Completion date of the film: after 01/07/2026
- Waivers: Waivers are available on a case by a case basis. If you want to be considered for one, briefly explain the reason by writing us at positivelydifferentff@gmail.com)
- Submission fee: 8 euro
- Categories: Documentary, fiction, animation, experimental, video art.

Submission of your video
- You can use Vimeo (by submitting your password) or any other platform to submit the video. Other forms of submission (e.g. USB stick delivered to our office) will also be accepted.
- The video files should be in one of the formats: AVI, MP4 or MOV.
- Videos created with a smartphone are encouraged and will also be accepted.
- Suggested frame size 1080 * 1920
- Language: The video can be in any language, subtitled in English.
- More information available here: positivelydifferentff@gmail.com, indicating in the subject line of your e-mail: “Film Call 2027”.

Film Festival Terms
- The final number of films that will be screened during the festival in Athens depends on the final decision of the organising team.
- The final films will be selected by the International Jury of the Film Festival by December, 2026
- The selection of the screened films, the order of projection and the programme are decided by the organisers, based on the technical specifications, the duration and the grouping of the films.
- The finalists will be informed by January, 2027 about the progress of their film in the contest.
- The organising team of the Positively Different Short Film Festival, reserves the right to project part of the final selection whenever it is needed for reasons of promotion of the Festival and under no circumstances for commercial causes.
- The finalists have to inform the organisers whether they will attend the festival so as the organising team can organise their trip and stay.
- There will be a jury prize, an audience prize, and an award for the Best Greek Production. The organisers will decide about the possibility of giving special prizes regarding the amount and the characteristics of the finalist films.
- The award ceremony will take place in Athens in a special ceremony after the end of the competitive programme of the Positively Different Short Film Festival.
- Prizes consist of cash awards as well as promotion in other events of the organisation throughout the year
- Participants agree to give interviews to the communication sponsors and to be photographed if asked.
- Parts of the Festival will be filmed for Inter Alia’s archive and for its promotion to the public. Members of the audience and participants that may appear in these parts cannot claim anything from the organising entity.
- During the Positively Different Short Film Festival parallel events will take place.
- Positively Different Short Film Festival organising team reserves the right to cancel the Festival if it is necessary
- The sending out of the signed participation form entails the complete and unconditional acceptance of the above terms of participation.
34 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Dimitra Chrysoula

    It was a pleasure to participate to PDSFF, watching all the beautiful films, meeting wonderful creators. The team if PDSFF did a wonderful job at coordinating everything and selecting all these wonderful works!

    May 2026
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  • Mika Nivola

    I am SO grateful with Positively Different. It was a wonderful experience that opened the door to a whole network of empathetic creatives. The curation was superb, really surprising short films, and the whole experience was more than enjoyable. Thank you a hundred times. Thank you, Polona. Thank you, Mel. You all made this experience truly valuable.

    April 2026
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  • Μα γδα

    We participated with our film The Cafe Will Remain Closed at the 7th PDSFF. The festival stands out for its excellent organization and overall quality. Everyone involved is approachable, cooperative, and genuinely supportive, which creates a very positive and welcoming atmosphere. Communication is smooth and efficient throughout, making the entire experience enjoyable for participants and attendees alike.

    In addition, the film selection is highly curated, showcasing a range of truly high-quality works. The program is thoughtfully structured and well-balanced, reflecting careful planning and attention to detail. Overall, it is a well-executed festival that prioritizes both artistic value and a strong sense of collaboration.

    March 2026
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  • Santosh Ram

    My film the Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan was selected for 7th Positively Different Short Film Festival 2026. It is great festival.

    March 2026
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  • ELENI TSEKERI

    The greatest hospitality I have seen helping filmmakers get together, a festival on the right side of history.

    March 2026
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