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.
• 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)