Shakespeare Shorts is an annual short film competition, celebrating the continued impact of William Shakespeare’s work. Organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, submissions are welcomed from film-makers of all ages and abilities, from all over the world.
Inspired by the Trust’s new multi-year theme, The Women Who Made Shakespeare, this year, the judges are especially interested in seeing entries from women and female-identifying people, of all ages and abilities, anywhere in the world. However, people of all ages and backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to enter.
This year there there is a category for films inspired by the theme ‘Shakespeare’s Female Characters’, from love-struck teenagers to shrewd political players and even witches.
Entries can be created using any form of technology from a smartphone to camera equipment.
Entries are invited in the following categories:
1. Best film inspired by the theme ‘Shakespeare’s Female Characters’ - up to 10 mins
2. Best film inspired by Shakespeare and his legacy - up to 10 mins
3. Best ‘Shakespeare Shorter Shorts’- up to 3 mins
4. Best Shakespeare inspired animation - up to 5 mins
5. Best Shakespeare inspired film or animation by a young filmmaker aged under 16 - up to 10 mins
For more information on The Women Who Made Shakespeare: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/a-multi-year-project/
Each category longlist will be shortlisted into a Top 3, selected by our panel of film industry and Shakespeare experts. The winner of each category will then be sent to our festival patron, Sir Kenneth Branagh and guest judge, Lolita Chakrabarti, who will select their 'Patron's Choice' winners.
All winning films will receive a certificate and be screened in Shakespeare's New Place over our busy summer period for all our visitors to watch and enjoy. Find out more about Shakespeare's New Place here https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/shakespeares-new-place/
The winner of the 'young filmmaker' category will win an animation kit, provided by Let's Animate.
This year's awards ceremony will be hosted online. We anticipate this will take place in the July 2025 and will inform successful entrants as soon as possible.