AI-GENERATED CONTENT IS NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.

ALL FILMS SHOULD BE 10 MINUTES OR LESS.

ALL FILMS NOT IN ENGLISH SHOULD PROVIDE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

Submission fees are £2.50 (£1.50 for students).

WE DO NOT ISSUE WAIVER CODES. However, we do have a free submission periods.

The Purbeck Shorts Competition is part of the annual Purbeck Film Festival in Dorset, England - an important film festival in the South West of England and the longest running rural and coastal film festival in the UK.

The Purbeck Film Festival will take place in October/ November 2026 and the dates will be announced in due course.

In our main programme, we show approximately 95 feature length films in up to 40 venues across the Purbeck region, Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester and Bridport during a two week period each year. The Purbeck Shorts event is our exciting filmmakers' competition, with the shortlisted finalists screening at the Mowlem Cinema, Swanage, at the end of the festival.

Submitted films are viewed by a preliminary judging panel and the finalists are then chosen for the screening event. On the evening, the films are judged by a panel of industry professionals. Winners are announced at the end of the night and cash prizes are awarded to the winners of The David Holman Award for Best Student Film. Winners will be invited to be part of the post-festival press and marketing announcements.

A selection of films amongst the winners will be screened before our outdoor summer cinemas and ahead of a selection of films during the autumn festival, where possible.

Finalists are invited to attend the Purbeck Shorts evening with free ticket admission to directors and key team members.

Awards & Prizes

The Judges' Award for Best Animation Short
The Judges' Award for Best Overall Short Film
The Audience Award for Best Animation Short - voted for by the audience on the night of the finals
The Audience Award for Best Live Action Short - voted for by the audience
The David Holman Award for Best Student Film - selected by the Judges' Panel

Winners are to be announced on the evening.

Rules & Terms

AI-GENERATED CONTENT IS NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.

ALL FILMS SHOULD BE 10 MINUTES OR LESS.

ALL FILMS NOT IN ENGLISH SHOULD PROVIDE ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

SCRIPT ONLY SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Films of all genres can be submitted via FilmFreeway .
We will contact you should the film be selected for the final but all submissions will receive a response, either through FilmFreeway or via contact details supplied.

Contact/profile information can be submitted via FilmFreeway with your entry as requested.
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Alexander Sparinsky

    Today, more than ever, it is necessary to convey all the truth about the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian occupiers to the whole people of the planet. The wider the audience, the more people know about the depth of Russian hypocrisy and blatant consequences of this adventure for the future.

    Great Thanks to the Purbeck Film Festival where chronicles of Moscovian shame under the name of "Lullaby of Ukraine" has found one more platform for the wide international presentation.

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Isabella Campbell

    Had our short film here last year! Still thinking about this event and what a valuable experience it was! The team were so supportive and met so many amazing creatives from it, cannot reccomend more! - Time Between Us Team.

    July 2025
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  • Kenneth Pulgar-Vidal

    Thank you so much!!! Winning Best Short was such a pleasant surprise and made our day! I wish nothing but the best to the judges as well as the film festival team. Thanks again!

    November 2024
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  • Mike Coggan

    Great event showcasing some amazing films.

    November 2023
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  • Keith Allott

    A great festival with excellent communication and a passion for film and exhibiting in the best possible way. Highly recommend all filmmakers submit their work.

    November 2021
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