The Selene International Short Film Festival (SISFF) is an international online (three editions) event based in Athens, Greece, dedicated to celebrating the art and power of short films.
Our ultimate goal is to make cinema accessible to everyone, connecting filmmakers and audiences across the world through the universal language of storytelling.

“Selene” — inspired by the Greek goddess of the Moon, symbolizes light, creativity, and cinematic imagination. A name that reflects the festival’s Greek roots and its international spirit.

SISFF welcomes films of all genres — fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and student films.

The festival honors excellence in filmmaking with Certificates, Honorable Mentions, and Official Laurels across multiple categories, including Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenwriter, and more.

🎬 Selections & Laurels

Receiving an Official Selection means that a film has been chosen as a Nominee in at least one award category of the Selene International Short Film Festival (SISFF).
There is no separate “Nominee” laurel — the Official Selection laurel itself represents this recognition.

Among the Official Selections, some films may also receive an Honorable Mention, awarded to works that demonstrate exceptional artistic or technical achievement within their category.
However, an Honorable Mention may not be presented in every category, as it is granted only when the jury deems a film truly deserving of this recognition.

The highest distinction in each category is the Winner, honoring the most outstanding project as chosen by the Festival President and Jury.

Official SISFF laurels are granted for the following distinctions:
Official Selection, Honorable Mention, and Winner.

At the Annual IN-PERSON Event in Athens (every October), the most prestigious distinctions of the Selene International Short Film Festival (SISFF) are presented — the Selene Best of Fest and Audience Award, along with the Selene Awards for Best Performance, Best Student Film, Best Photography, Best Poster and more.

For each category, two films are selected as nominees to compete at the Annual Event.
These finalists may include winners or honorable mentions from any of the three ONLINE yearly editions (Lumen, Helios, or Eclipse), and both may originate from the same edition.
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Through its inclusive and international spirit, SISFF seeks to inspire creativity, encourage diversity, and celebrate the boundless imagination of filmmakers worldwide.

Awards & Prizes

Main Awards:
Moonlight Award (Best Short Film)
The festival’s top honor, recognizing the most outstanding short film overall.
Luna Award (Best Director)
For exceptional artistic vision and direction.
Aurora Award (Best Screenwriter)
For excellence in storytelling and narrative craft.
Orion Award (Best Photography)
For visual artistry and emotional impact through the lens.
Harmonia Award (Best Soundtrack)
For creative and emotional use of sound design or score.
Selene Rising Star Award (Best Young Director)
For filmmakers under 30 demonstrating exceptional talent and promise.

Additional Awards:
Best Greek Short Film
Celebrating excellence in Greek short filmmaking.
Best Student Film
For exceptional short films created within an educational program.
Best Super Short Film
Recognizing the most outstanding super short film overall.
Best Short Documentary
For outstanding documentary short films.
Best Animation
For excellence in animated short filmmaking.
Best First-Time Filmmaker
Awarded to a director presenting their debut short film.
Best Actor
Honoring an outstanding lead male performance.
Best Actress
Honoring an outstanding lead female performance.
Best Supporting Actor
Recognizing excellence in a supporting male role.
Best Supporting Actress
Recognizing excellence in a supporting female role.
Best Editing
For exceptional skill and creativity in film editing.
Best Production Design
For excellence in visual design, set, and costume work.
Best Poster
For outstanding design, creativity, and visual impact in film promotion.

Note: All Additional Categories may receive an Honorable Mention, but only if a project is deemed exceptional by the jury. This recognition highlights outstanding artistic or technical merit, but it is not guaranteed for every category or submission. Similarly, the jury reserves the right to withhold a winner in any additional category if no project is deemed to meet the required standard of excellence.

Rules & Terms

1. Eligibility
a. Open to short films of all genres: fiction, documentary, animation and student films.
b. Films must be completed within the last three years prior to submission.
c. International submissions are welcome.
d. Multiple submissions per filmmaker in the same edition are NOT allowed.

2. Film Duration
a. Maximum running time: 40 minutes for Short Films & 50 minutes for Short Documentaries, including credits. In exceptional cases, with a reasoned opinion of the Artistic Director and a decision of the Board, the Festival reserves the right to accept a longer film.
b. Maximum running time for Super Short Films: 5 minutes, including credits.

3. Language & Subtitles
a. All films, including Greek-language films, must have English subtitles.
b. Subtitles must be clear, legible, and accurately synchronized.

4. Submission Format
a. Accepted digital formats: MP4, MOV, ProRes.
b. Films must be final versions; work-in-progress or teasers are not eligible.

5. Premiere Status
Premiere status is not required; all films are eligible regardless of previous screenings.

6. Rights & Permissions
a. Filmmakers must own all rights to their submitted work.
b. Filmmakers are solely responsible for clearing all copyrights, licenses, and permissions for music, footage, images, and any other content included in their film.
c. Submission grants the festival permission to screen, promote, and use stills or trailers for publicity.
d. The festival is not responsible for copyright violations or legal disputes arising from submitted films.

7. Entry Fees
Entry fees are non-refundable.

8. Judging & Awards
a. Films are evaluated by a multi-awarded Director/Cinematographer/Editor and jury.
b. Jury decisions are final.
c. Awards include Main Awards (Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenwriter, etc.) and Additional Awards (Best Actor, Best Poster, etc.).

9. Technical Requirements
a. Films must meet screening-quality standards in image and sound.
b. Submissions with technical issues may be rejected.

10. Withdrawal
Filmmakers may withdraw their film up until the end of the Extended Deadline. After this date, withdrawal requests will not be accepted.

11. Animated films
Animated entries are not eligible for performance-based awards (Actor, Actress, Supporting), Moonlight Award / Best Short Film, Best Young Director / Selene Rising Star (Under 30) and Best First-Time Filmmaker

12. Documentaries
Documentary entries are not eligible for performance-based awards (Actor, Actress, Supporting) or categories focused on fiction or animation-specific production.

13. Liability & Conduct
a. The festival is not responsible for loss or damage of submitted films.
b. All participants are expected to follow festival rules and behave respectfully.
c. Violations may lead to disqualification.

14. Festival Schedule & Modifications
a. The festival reserves the right to modify dates, schedules, or programming at its discretion.
b. Changes may occur due to organizational needs, technical reasons, or circumstances beyond the festival’s control.
c. Any modifications will be communicated through the festival’s official website and social media channels.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • César Camán

    Thank you so much Selene International Short Film festival for supporting emerging talents and for your professionalism. I had the honor of being selected twice and I'm sure it won't be the last . Thank you so much.

    July 2026
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  • Jorge Morais

    Selene International Short Film Festival has been a wonderful experience from start to finish. The team is friendly, welcoming, and always quick to communicate, making filmmakers feel that their work is truly appreciated.
    One thing I really liked is how they actively promote the selected and winning films through their social media. For independent filmmakers, that extra visibility is incredibly valuable, and it shows that the festival genuinely cares about supporting the projects it selects.
    I would happily recommend SISFF to any filmmaker looking for a festival that not only celebrates cinema but also supports and promotes the people behind it.
    We're keeping our fingers crossed that our paths will cross again at the annual event in Athens. Until then, thank you once again for recognizing our work and for making us feel part of the Selene family.

    Jorge Morais
    Director & Producer /In Half

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Karim Kari

    Receiving an Honorable Mention for my very short poetic film Errances À jamais at the Selene International Short Film Festival is a true honor.
    I would like to warmly thank the festival team and the jury for their sensitivity, their professionalism, and for recognizing a film that explores memory, poetry, and the invisible dialogue between theatre, cinema and the sea.
    Set against the timeless beauty of Greece, Errances À jamais is an invitation to wander through places where stories never truly disappear, where the voices of the past continue to resonate like echoes carried by the wind.
    The Selene International Short Film Festival offers filmmakers much more than a competition. It creates a welcoming space where independent cinema is respected, encouraged, and celebrated with genuine care. Throughout the festival, communication was clear, respectful and thoughtful, making the experience both enjoyable and meaningful.
    I am deeply grateful for this Honorable Mention, which encourages me to continue exploring a cinema of poetry, emotion and artistic freedom.
    Thank you, Selene International Short Film Festival, for your warm welcome and for allowing Errances À jamais to become part of your beautiful cinematic journey.

    June 2026
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  • Belle Arte Lamia

    A wonderful festival experience with great communication and excellent organization. The team was very professional and supportive throughout the process.

    February 2026
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words and for being part of Selene. It truly means a lot to us. We’re really glad to have you back with us in this new edition.

  • Alexandre Athané

    Dear Selene International Short Film Festival Team,

    I am truly honored and happy to have been part of the very first edition of your brand new festival, and to have received both Best Animation and Best Poster for my film JUS D’ORANGE.

    I wish you all the best for a long and successful future, and I’m grateful our paths crossed for this celebration of our love for cinema and filmmaking.

    Thank you for your enthusiasm and professionalism, the great encouragement with these awards, and the positive energy around this first edition.

    Sincerely,
    Alexandre 🍊

    February 2026
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Alexandre,

    Thank you so much for your beautiful message and your kind words. It truly means a lot to us.

    We are honored that JUS D’ORANGE was part of the very first edition of SISFF, and we’re delighted to celebrate its achievements with the Best Animation and Best Poster awards. Your film brought a unique sensitivity, visual charm, and artistic voice to the festival, and we’re very grateful for your trust and presence.

    We wish you continued success with your work and hope our paths cross again in the future. You will always be part of the Selene family.

    Warmest regards,
    Alexandros Kouros
    Selene International Short Film Festival 🌙