The SeaShorts Film Festival is an annual celebration of Southeast Asian short film. Alongside its main competition, the programme is complemented by a robust line-up of activities that aim to reflect the diversity, authenticity, and bold visions of emerging and established directors in Southeast Asia. In addition to screenings, the Festival every year hosts industry sessions, art experiences, experimental projects, as well as S-Express, a travelling showcase dedicated to the new wave of cinema in the region.

This year, SeaShorts Film Festival will be held in Ipoh, Malaysia, from 25 - 30 August 2020.

A selection of 30 titles will be in contention for the SeaShorts Award, with the Next New Wave Award reserved exclusively for Malaysian directors. Outstanding achievement in direction, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, and acting round off the rest of the categories.

Qualified filmmakers from across the ASEAN region are invited to apply by the deadline of 30 April 2020. In keeping with the theme “Reimagining Short Films, Reinventing Southeast Asia,” submissions in all genres and forms are considered.

CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY

1. Director(s) and Producer(s) must be from Southeast Asia.

2. The short film submitted should be completed after 1 July 2019, not any earlier.

3. Country of production: Southeast Asia (fulfilled by at least two of these: film locations, main cast, or funding)

4. Film duration should not be more than 20 minutes, including credits.

5. There are individual awards for specific crafts e.g. Best Cinematography, Best Performance. For your film to be eligible for these sub-categories, the person responsible for the role must be from Southeast Asia.

6. Malaysian directors will be automatically eligible for the Next New Wave Award.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • June W

    The festival was really well organised. The organisers were friendly and always updated us. Really enjoyed being part of it!

    October 2020