The only "Pacific Rim" film festival in the world returns for our 13th annual edition -- join us for screenings, networking, and much more in May 2025!

Every year, Short Circuit screens work from over 30 countries around the Pacific Ocean and welcomes filmmakers to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Short Circuit is presented by CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers on Vancouver Island, in the traditional and unceded territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən people, now known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

In 2024 we presented more than three dozen short films in six screening programs with filmmaker Q&As and hundreds of audience members in attendance. We also re-activated Victoria's historic Odeon Alley with even more films screening in the public square, shared some festive food and drinks with dozens of filmmakers from near and far, hosted networking sessions, and resurrected the indie/industry component with a Safety & Survival Panel, Anamorphic on a Budget Workshop, and Brunch 'N Pitch event.

At Short Circuit we put filmmakers first. We keep entry fees low and accessible (even lower for FilmFreeway Gold Members). All selected Directors are invited to Victoria to participate in-person. We might even interview you for our podcast!

Filmmakers from all regions bordering the Pacific Ocean are invited to submit your short films for consideration (see list of eligible locations below). We are looking for oustanding work in all genres from a diversity of cultural and geographic perspectives. Your film will also be considered for potential Short Circuit touring programs.

Submit your film today for the 2025 edition!

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Short Circuit is the premier annual short film festival in Victoria, the Canadian province of British Columbia's beautiful capital city on Vancouver Island. Bordered by the Salish Sea, the city is surrounded by historical landmarks and natural wonders. Victoria was recently named the best city in the world by Condé Nast Traveller two years in a row, while Canada was recently picked as the #1 destination country by Lonely Planet. The island's world-class locations also attract many well-known productions such as The Last of Us, X-Men, Deadpool, Planet of the Apes, Reginald the Vampire, Sonic the Hedgehog, and many Hallmark movies.

Short Circuit rules:

1) Entries and submission fees are only accepted via the FilmFreeway online portal.

2) Film submissions are only eligible from residents of the following locations:
• British Columbia or Yukon, Canada
• Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, or Guam, USA
• Australia, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji
• Japan, North Korea, South Korea, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Thailand
• Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru
• Entries originating from outside of these regions will be deleted. NO REFUNDS.

3) Entries may be fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, or other genre. Films must be in English OR contain English subtitles. Maximum running time is 20 minutes including credits. Only films completed after January 1, 2023 will be considered. Only the originally submitted version of the film will be considered (file updates after the original submission date will not be considered).

4) All programming decisions are final. We do not provide feedback on film entries or selection decisions.

5) If selected for screening at the festival, the filmmaker will be required to submit the following:
• Minimum two high-resolution film stills
• One high-resolution Director's headshot photo
• Brief synopsis of the film
• Film exhibition copy in 2K or 1080p resolution, in DCP, ProRes, or MP4 format, with HI/VI captions and descriptive audio track if available
• Film trailer file and/or online link

6) Once a film has been selected for the festival it may not be withdrawn.

7) Screening fees will be paid to Canadian films/filmmakers which are selected to screen at the festival, as per IMAA standard rates.

8) One representative from each selected film will be provided with a pass to all festival events.

9) Please note our entry form includes the following disclaimer:
I confirm that I maintain copyright or chain of title to the creative content and intellectual property in the submitted materials. I acknowledge that as part of the Short Circuit evaluation and decision process, CineVic may contract assessors who sign their own ethics and confidentiality agreements prior to reviewing applications, ensuring a transparent process and confidentiality of all applicant information and application materials. I accept in good faith that any similarities between my application materials and any current or future projects or ideas undertaken by CineVic or the assessors is purely coincidental. I acknowledge that I have read and understood CineVic's Ethics and Confidentiality Policy at https://cinevic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CineVic-Ethics-and-Confidentiality-Policy-2022.pdf

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Shana Gibson

    Thank you for screening my short documentary, 'Ruth', it was a great pleasure!

    May 2025
  • Hiromu Yamawaki

    I had amazing time attending the festival! Eventful 3 days and elected films are all high quality and enjoyable. Looking forward to comeback next year!

    May 2025
  • Shelley McIntosh

    So happy to be part of this lovely festival. It was very well organized. A great milieu of imaginative energy.

    May 2024
  • Beatrice King

    Thank you for having our film, YOU ARE THE BLUE screen at your festival! Everyone was very communicative, and the event was well organized. The Q & A at the end of our screening was very engaging, and it was fantastic meeting all the other filmmakers too. Our team was well taken care of, and we look forward to attending again!

    May 2024
  • I had an incredible time with the Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival this year (2024). The entire team were welcoming and passionate with a particular emphasis on supporting local filmmakers. The venue was fantastic, right in the centre of downtown Victoria, and I had the opportunity to participate in a lively Q&A after my screening. Our short “I Can’t Go On” also won Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Cinematography, and Outstanding Screenplay, and my entire team and I are so grateful. I highly recommend this festival both participating and attending. I had so much fun and can’t wait to return!

    May 2024