One of the most exciting and diverse festivals to emerge in the UK, Short Focus Film Festival is an annual short film festival that takes place around the third weekend of September in selected cities. This year the event takes place online and in London from 17-26 September.

As part of the FRAME LIGHT Group, Short Focus Film Festival is dedicated to popularising the medium of short film, with particular focus on supporting independent filmmakers from around the world. We provide filmmakers with multiple platforms from which they can showcase their talents, share ideas and launch their careers. We offer opportunities for their work to be seen in unique and prestigious locations, as well as on our online short film channel, and reviewed in our written and audio publications.

It is our mission to discover, introduce and celebrate short films not widely seen publicly and that we believe deserve recognition for the skill, dedication and passion demonstrated in these productions. By screening and critiquing short films we help to broaden discussion relating to the medium's governing principles into cultural and casual arenas.

FRAME LIGHT is special in that we care about the filmmaker and the spectator alike, and therefore present Short Focus Film Festival to hardened cinephiles and uninitiated audiences alike. All filmmakers are welcome to submit their short films for festival exhibition and review subject to guidelines and fees, which are detailed fully on this page.

Awards & Prizes

• Golden Frame [First prize]
• Silver Frame [Second Prize]
• Bronze Frame [Third Prize]
• Special Jury Prize [Special Merit]
• Audience Award [One Award Per Programme]
• Official Selection
• FLTV Distribution

Rules & Terms

*** PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ***

• We accepts films/animations in any genre;
• Entrants may submit more than one film, but each film must be submitted separately.
• Entrants under 16 should request their submission fee to be paid for by a parent/guardian;
• The submitter must be either the director or producer of the work (or have the permission of the director/producer);
• The film must be under 25 minutes in length;
• The film must have been produced no earlier than 2018;
• All languages are accepted. Non-English language films must have HARD-CODED English subtitles;
• All films chosen for screening are be hand-selected by our curators, who will notify applicants as to whether or not their work has been successfully shortlisted; 
• Your film will only be reviewed on our website if you have paid the 'Submission + Review' fee. Films entered using a fee waiver are not eligible for film reviews;
• If production stills are not already included in your FilmFreeway profile, we may use our own stills to use for our articles;
• Once submitted, the payment for your film is non-refundable;
• We only accept films via FilmFreeway. Any links to your work sent to us via email will not be considered;
• Fee waivers will only be considered in the most extreme cases and is under the sole discretion of festival organisers;
• All accepted entrants are welcome to attend the screening. However, if you choose to attend, any travel, flights and accommodation will need to be arranged and paid for by the entrant;
• Payment for submission(s) is not a guarantee of your film being selected for screening.
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Tasha Williams

    We were very honoured to have our film 'Bulldog' screen at this years Short Focus Film Festival. The festival was so well organised, with a fantastic curated programme of films, and adapted superbly to the online format due to COVID 19. Thank you for putting on such a great festival, and looking forward to next years!

    October 2020
    Helpful
  • Lantigua Williams & Co.

    Lovely atmosphere and a real appreciation for short films and filmmakers. The organisers are passionate about good stories and they make all their guests feel welcome and included.

    September 2019
    Helpful