The only "Pacific Rim" film festival in the world returns for our 11th annual edition! Join us for screenings, pitches, parties and more, here on Vancouver Island or online from around the world, 5-13 May 2023.

Every year, Short Circuit screens work from over 30 countries and welcomes filmmakers from around the Pacific Ocean to Victoria, British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. Short Circuit is presented by CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers -- we acknowledge and respect the long history of the Lək̓ʷəŋən people, now known as the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, as well as the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nation, on whose traditional and unceded territory we carry out our activities.

In 2022 we presented 50 short films in 8 screening programs, with more than 30 filmmakers and hundreds of audience members in attendance at The Vic Theatre, near Victoria's inner harbour. We also re-activated "Odeon Alley" adjacent to our headquarters, running all festival films in the public square for socially distanced viewing in the open air. We had some food and drink (and brunch), supported struggling artists by sharing ticket sales with filmmakers, and the CINE⚡SPARK script + pitch competition crowned its sixth winner!

Submit your film today for the 2023 edition:

• In-person and online screening programs
• Moderated Q&A sessions
• Screenplay competition & LIVE pitch event
• Networking events
• Parties
• Awards presentation

At Short Circuit we put filmmakers first. We keep entry fees low and accessible (even lower for FilmFreeway Gold Members!). We share ticket sales with our international filmmakers, and pay IMAA standard screening fees to Canadian filmmakers. All selected Directors are invited to Victoria to participate in-person, or online from your locations around the world. We might even interview you for our podcast!

Filmmakers from all regions bordering the Pacific Ocean are invited to submit. We are looking for great short films made after January 1, 2021 in all genres with a maximum running time of 20 minutes. Your film will also be considered for upcoming Short Circuit touring programs.

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CINE⚡️SPARK script competition and production program is back again, and we've upped the ante with a prize package NOW valued at over $20,000!

Every year CINE⚡️SPARK awards a hefty production package of cash, resources, and equipment rentals to the production of an outstanding short film script by a writer from the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands region in British Columbia, Canada. The Top 5 entries pitch their projects at Short Circuit in May 2023, and one winner will receive the production package to create their short film, including:

• $2,500 cash grant *NEW*

• $14,000 in-kind equipment rentals from CineVic

• $2,500 in-kind equipment rentals from William F. White

• $500 Modo driving credits toward production van rental

• Production Insurance - 10 consecutive days of coverage ($225 value)

• One-year complimentary CineVic Production Membership ($220 value)

• Interview segment on Push In - The CineVic Podcast

• 50% discount on services by ScreenReaders.com – comprehensive screenplay notes from industry experts

• Your film will have its world premiere at the Short Circuit Film Festival!

Please see below for full program rules & terms.

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Short Circuit and CINE⚡SPARK are presented by CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers in Victoria, Canada -- the province of British Columbia's beautiful capital city on Vancouver Island. Nestled between the Vancouver and Seattle metropolises, in the middle of the Salish Sea, the city is surrounded by historical landmarks and natural wonders. Victoria is a recent Royal destination and has been named one of the Top 5 Cities in Canada by Travel + Leisure, one of the Friendliest Cities in the World by Condé Nast, and one of the Top 20 Places to Visit by CNN, 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 X-Men, Deadpool, Planet of the Apes, Sonic the Hedgehog, SEE, and many Hallmark movies.

Awards & Prizes

• Outstanding International Film
• Outstanding BC Film (sponsored by William F. White International Inc)
• Outstanding Documentary Film
• Outstanding Animated Film
• Outstanding Director
• Outstanding Cinematography
• Outstanding Art Direction (sponsored by Joyce Kline)
• Outstanding Screenplay
• Outstanding Performance
• Outstanding Sound
• Outstanding Music
• Outstanding Editing
• Audience Choice
• CINE⚡️SPARK (sponsored by William F. White International Inc, Modo, and ScreenReaders)

Rules & Terms

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, Russian Far East, North Korea, South Korea, Pacific Coast Provinces of China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Thailand
• Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Pacific Coast States of Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru
• Entries truly originating from outside of these states/provinces/countries 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, 2021 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) Films which are publicly available to view online are not eligible.

5) Only films which are selected to screen at the festival will receive notification.

6) 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
• Film trailer file and/or online link

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

8) Online screenings will be available worldwide and NOT geoblocked. If your film requires geoblocking you must indicate the regions and reason in your submission notes.

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

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

11) 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 or Cinespark 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

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CINE⚡️SPARK rules:

1) The CINE⚡️SPARK production program is open to anyone residing on Vancouver Island or the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada. Eligibility will be determined by the address in the submitter's FilmFreeway profile.

2) Entrants must submit a complete short film script in standard screenplay format. THE WRITER'S NAME AND CONTACT INFO MUST BE REMOVED FOR BLIND JUDGING.

3) You may submit as many scripts as you wish, but only one script per writer will be allowed in the Top 5.

4) Scripts may be 10 pages maximum, not including title page. Scripts must be an original work and must be live-action narrative (documentary, animation, or experimental films are not eligible). Only the originally submitted version of the script will be considered (file updates after the original submission date will not be considered).

5) The Top 5 finalists will be announced in April 2023. These 5 Writers may then form teams with a Director and a Producer for the pitch event. These other roles must also be filled by residents of the Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands region. The Writer may fill 2, but not 3, of these key positions. All team members will be required to submit a headshot photo and bio for promotional purposes. **Please Note: The Top 5 are not required to form a team, and may perform their pitch solo if desired.**

6) Top 5 will pitch their projects at Short Circuit in May 2023 (exact date and time TBA). Attendance at the pitch event is mandatory for the Top 5, otherwise your spot will be forfeited. Any one or a combination of all three team members (Writer, Director, Producer) may participate in the pitch presentation. Teams will be allowed 5 minutes maximum for their pitch, followed by 5 minutes maximum Q&A period with the jury. Members of the winning team may not change after the pitch.

7) The winning team will receive: a $2,500 cash grant; up to $14,000 of in-kind CineVic equipment rentals toward production of the submitted film; $2,500 of in-kind William F. White equipment rentals toward production of the submitted film; $500 Modo driving credits toward production van rental; production insurance with 10 consecutive days of coverage; a one-year complimentary CineVic Production Membership; 50% off services by ScreenReaders.com, and a premiere screening at Short Circuit. Total package is valued at over $20,000 CAD.

8) The winning team will enter into a Production Agreement with CineVic Society of Independent Filmmakers and will be required to deliver the completed film by April 1, 2024 in order to screen at Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival in May 2024.

9) The cash grant will be released via cheque in two instalments: 75% will be released upon signing of the agreement, and the remaining 25% will be released upon receipt of the finished film and promotional materials. If the film is not completed or provided by the deadline, all monies received by the winning team must be repaid to CineVic.

10) The winning team will be required to provide a minimum of 6 production stills including: 2 action shots of filmmakers interacting with CineVic equipment, 2 action shots of filmmakers interacting with William F. White equipment, 2 action shots of filmmakers utilizing a Modo vehicle.

11) CineVic will maintain first rights to a world premiere screening of the finished film.

12) Any Writer who wins the CINE⚡SPARK competition may not submit a script to future CINE⚡SPARK programs. Any scripts which are selected for the Top 5 may not be submitted to future programs.

13) CineVic reserves the right to cancel this program and refund entry fees.

14) 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 or Cinespark 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
35 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Nicholas Riini

    Great festival! Great communication! Amazing to be a part of. I look forward to next time.

    December 2022
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  • Tanya Jade

    A wonderful festival to be a part of! I wish I could have attended! Thank you!

    August 2022
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  • Alayna Y

    The support, the cozy venue, and filmmaker hospitality was so good it makes me want to make another film so I can submit again one day. Thank you for making my very first festival go so awesomely!!

    June 2022
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  • Tony Olsen

    Many thanks to David Geiss and his team for this years festival - truly a feast of flavours from around the Pacific. Our kiwi team were especially thrilled to participate in the 'Magic Realism' block and are very grateful of the opportunity to screen our short 'HOT WOOL' to a huge potential audience over such a vast territory. I strongly encourage regional filmmakers to consider this festival for the promotion of your indigenous project. All our best to CineVic.

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • Joyce Kline

    LOVE this jewel of a festival! They really know how to look after filmmakers. David is amazing, the films were excellent and the warm hospitality, communication and organization were outstanding .A great interntional festival for any Pacific Rim filmmaker!

    June 2022
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