The founders of Rock the Shorts Film Festival, in Los Angeles, are both filmmakers and huge fans of short films. Short films can pack an emotional punch and take us on a wonderful ride in 40 minutes or less. The creators of such entertainment deserve recognition and encouragement.

When your film is an "Official Selection" and celebrated at a well-organized film festival it is the most gratifying experience. This is what we want to bring to you. Our goal is to further inspire you to keep creating...keep writing...keep directing...keep producing...keep acting...keep telling stories...keep making short films! Short films Rock!

Many actors, directors and writers have launched their careers by making short films. Many continue to make short movies to tell their stories, their own way.

AWARDS:
Best Actress (Trophy)
Best Actor (Trophy)
Jury Award (Trophy)
Best Animation Short Film (Trophy)
Best Comedy Short Film (Trophy)
Best Documentary Short Subject (Trophy)
Best Drama Short Film (Trophy)
Best Thriller/Horror Short Film (Trophy)
Best International Short Film (certificate of achievement)
Best Student Short Film (Trophy)
Best of Fest short Film! (Trophy)

Only shorts with a TRT of 20 minutes or LESS are eligible for submission. Live Action, Animation, Documentary Short Subject, Drama and Comedy. There will be three to five 60-90 minute film blocks (depending on the venue) with a Q&A with the filmmakers to follow. Each category will have an award winner and an overall "Best of the Fest" winner will be announced at the close of the festival.

We appreciate and respect the hard work you put into your film. We won't skim over it as many larger festivals will do with thousands of submissions waiting to be viewed. We look forward to watching and we wish you good luck!

ONLY ONLINE SCREENERS THROUGH FilmFreeway WILL BE ACCEPTED. PLEASE DO NOT SEND SCREENERS IN THE MAIL.

Exhibition materials:
Will only be returned upon request and at the expense of the filmmaker.
Arrangements with self-address, pre-paid envelopes must be made PRIOR to the festival. Posters and Collateral must be picked up by the close of the festival.
Exhibition Formats: DCP or special export to match specs if shown on the rooftop of the Montalbán Theatre.

By agreeing to the terms and conditions on the entry form for Rock the Shorts Film Festival, the person or entity (the Applicant) submitting an entry (the Short) to Rock the Shorts Film Festival (RTS) acknowledges that s/he has read, understood and agrees to the following rules and guidelines:

1. The Applicant is legally authorized to enter the Short in RTS, and the Short is not subject to any claims or litigation and is not threatened by any claims or litigation.

2. Entries must be 15 minutes or under in length and submitted in one of the following categories: Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama or Thriller/Horror..

3. Non-English language shorts must be subtitled in English.

4. RTS can only accept, consider and notify entries submitted with valid entry form and non-refundable entry fee. To be considered for RTS, the Applicant must fill out the entry form on FilmFreeway. Applicant must submit a Secure Online Screener. Entry Fee payment must be made online through FilmFreeway.

5. Late Entries: For Late entry request please contact RTS at rocktheshortsfilmfestival@gmail.com.

6. To verify RTS has received your entry, we advise that you check the FilmFreeway status before emailing us with further questions.

7. All films will be notified of their status by late January or early February. If your contact information or premiere status changes between entry submission and our notification date, please update your information on FilmFreeway and email any changes.

8. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials in the Short. The Applicant releases and discharges RTS, its employees and agents from any and all claims, demands or causes of actions related to misappropriation or infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising out of or relating to this Short.

9. In the event that the Short is accepted as a Finalist by RTS, the Applicant hereby agrees to the following rights and requests and grants to RTS without reservations, conditions or qualifications:

10. RTS reserves the right to screen an exhibition-quality digital file of the Short (see guidelines for accepted formats).

11. RTS reserves the right to use excerpted clips, still images and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Short for promotional purposes in all media including Rock the Shorts Film Festival website.

12. RTS reserves the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Short and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information.

13. RTS reserves the right to provide contact information for the director and producer(s) of the Short and to grant RTS the right to provide this information to film industry organizations sponsoring Festival events at its discretion.

14. RTS reserves the right to pull a film from the screening if a representative of the film cannot attend the Q&A. We put a great deal of effort into our Q&A's, such as seating (director's chairs), mics and picture opportunities.

15. RTS reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees, any entry which is in violation of the guidelines and participation agreement.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ken Glaser

    Rock the Shorts is the 20th and likely final festival to exhibit my animated short "A Biker's Dream," and as the old adage goes, "they saved the best (festival) for last." Organizers Roxanne and Josef are filmmakers and film buffs, they communicated with me continuously pre- and post-festival, they chose a top-notch venue (the rooftop of The Montalban Theater in Hollywood, with parking literally next door), with hi-res projection, crystal clear sound system including wireless headphones for each attendee, friendly staff, many freebies, great Q&A sessions, and more. And as an audience member, I enjoyed each high-quality short; no filler! I am honored to have been a part of the festival, and look forward to attending in the future, whether or not my films are on the agenda.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much Ken. We were honored to show your film. The audience really enjoyed it. We hope to have you back!

  • Attending the festival, a festival with professional and experienced members, was my honor and I am grateful for the respectful treatment.

    September 2023
  • David Luck

    Wow! I can't say enough positive things about this phenomenal film festival! Roxanne & Josef, the festival directors, were beyond excellent. It was an honor that my short, Death by King Cake, was screened with such brilliant films. I highly recommend The Rock the Shorts Film Festival to ALL FILMMAKERS!!!!

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you David! Your film was very well done. A smart script and talented actors.

  • Chris Esper

    A fantastic festival! Great communication prior to the festival, very nice venue, screenings, and hospitality to all filmmakers. It was a very open and welcoming experience. I would highly recommend it and would easily submit again.

    September 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Chris! IMPOSTER is a very moving film that stays with you. We were honored to screen it.

  • Jennie Fahn

    This festival was a really nice surprise! Not only were the other films that screened during our block really high quality, but the screenings were on a shorts channel that played and replayed the block in major markets where people could actually watch them! Which was great during COVID! Not only that, the hosts of the festival had a lovely little viewing party for those of us who were locals - they were gracious and warm hosts. A great experience with really good communication throughout.

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jennie! We enjoyed your film JERRY very much. We especially liked Michael Shepperd's performance. It was great timing that we could host a small screening for the local filmmakers, like yourself, whose film was airing on ShortsTV the same day. We love meeting talented filmmakers.