The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (the MAH) is pleased to launch the inaugural MAH 5 Minute Film Fest, a short film festival open to submissions under five minutes in length from artists aged 18+ in Santa Cruz County working in video art, film, documentary, animation, or experimental media.

The top 15 film selections will be screened at the MAH on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6pm. Attendance for the screening is $5, free for filmmakers. Prizes will be announced at the screening: 1st Place will receive $500, 2nd Place will receive $250, and 3rd Place will receive $100. All awardees will also receive a complimentary one-year membership to the MAH.

Awards & Prizes

1st Place will receive $500, 2nd Place will receive $250, and 3rd Place will receive $100. All awardees will also receive a complimentary one-year membership to the MAH.

Prizes will be announced at the live screening on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Rules & Terms

All applicants must be residents of Santa Cruz County, California aged 18+
All submissions must be under 5 minutes in length.
All video media is considered, including video art, film, documentary, animation, experimental media, etc.
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  • Madeline Rosene

    I was so thankful to be part of the MAH 5 Minute Film Festival and see all of the reactions to our video. It was very exciting.

    January 2026
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