ShortScape Film Festival is a celebration of the developing Scottish film and video industry. The festival aims to provide an alternative platform to showcase the works of independent creatives, and to encourage inclusivity, cooperation and development of new ideas in the field of media production.

The 3rd edition of ShortScape Film Festival will take place 5-7 September 2024 in Leith Arches, Edinburgh.

**If you are facing barriers in submitting your film because of submission fees, please get in touch with our team at: shortscapesubmissions@gmail.com.**

Note that the festival will take place from the 5th to 7th September 2024. We hope that as many selected filmmakers as possible will be able to make it to the screenings and panels in person. We are very proud that every year Shortscape provides a platform to spark new friendships and creative collaborations across the Scottish independent film sector. We are an independent volunteer-run festival, and our home venue – the Leith Arches – provides an intimate and homely environment. We will screen your film on their projection screen and speakers, while not top-of-the-line, we believe it is a relaxed and engaging setting to screen and share your work with other filmmakers and viewers.
OUR MISSION

We want to build bridges and connect different Universities and local filmmaking communities. That is why we want to take the event outside of University buildings. In fact, take it out of cinemas. Our goal is to occupy a unique urban place, a ‘neutral’ ground to encourage others to join us.

We believe in integration and cooperation, that’s why we showcase not only Scottish short films but also local artists and musicians.

ShortScape is not a competition, it’s a celebration of talent and community.

ShortScape is not a competition.

ELIGIBILITY

You will be eligible for selection if:
1. You are submitting a short film (up to 25 minutes).
2. Writer, Director or Producer are based in Scotland.
3. The film's budget is less than £10 000.
4. Film was made in the last 3 years (between the 05-08-2021 and 05-08-2024).
5. The party submitting the film owns the copyright to every aspect of the film and does not infringe the copyright of any third party.
6. The submission closes on the 21st of June 2024. The submitting party must provide all the required documentation and an online screener before the 21st of June 2024 (the official deadline for submission).
7. The submitted non-English films must have English subtitles.
8. The submitting party promises to provide required materials for film screening (stills, screening file, subtitle file, etc.) by 5th August.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. By completing the entry form and delivering the film, you have applied to enter the film into the ShortScape Film Festival.
2. ShortScape Film Festival is not a competition and your film is considered for selection only. No winners will be announced.
3. In the event that a filmmaker is under the age of eighteen, their attendance at any ShortScape Film Festival screening or online event must be accompanied by an adult.
4. The applicant has the sole and full right and authority to accept the terms and conditions and enter into this agreement.
5. The applicant has permission to reproduce and exploit all third-party materials contained in the film or upon which the film is based.
6. The submitting party is the sole and exclusive owner, or has permission from the sole and exclusive owner, of the copyright in the sound recordings comprising of the soundtrack of the film and the music and lyrics reproduced in those sound recordings.
7. All of the performers in the film have consented in writing to the use of their performances in the film.
8. The submitting party has obtained from each contributor to the film a written release to use the results and proceeds of the contributor’s services and/or contributions to the film.
9. The submitting party has obtained from each contributor authorisation for Shortscape Film Festival to use the contributor’s name and likeness in connection with any publicity for the event.
10. All details submitted in the entry form by the submitting party are true and correct and the submitting party indemnifies ShortScape Film Festival from and against any and all claims and demands made against ShortScape Film Festival, its assignees or licensees, in relation to the guarantees provided by the submitting party.
11. The submitting party ensures that no part of the film is, or will be, actionable for defamation or violate any right of privacy or publicity of any person, and the full use of the rights in the film will not violate any rights, including copyright or moral rights, of any person, firm, or corporation; and the film is not the subject of any litigation nor is it threatened by any claim or litigation.
12. ShortScape Film Festival may, in its sole discretion, disqualify a film from consideration if ShortScape Film Festival has reason to believe that a film does not, for any reason, comply with the Terms and Conditions.
13. The submitting party agrees to indemnify ShortScape Film Festival and hold them harmless from any damages, liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, obligations, or claims (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys' fees and costs) arising out of the breach of submitting party’s agreements, obligations, representations and warranties under this Agreement.
14. The submitting party has a right to withdraw the film from the selection before the last submission deadline. After the deadline of submissions, all selected films will be considered for the programme and no withdrawals will be accepted.
15. The submitting party agrees for the ShortScape Film Festival to use any submitted supported materials (such as stills and short clips up to 3 minutes) for any future promotional purposes. The festival may also use filmmakers' names, likenesses, and film titles for any future promotional purposes.
16. The submitting party gives all rights to the ShortScape Film Festival to screen the film publicly during the festival event which will take place from the 5th to the 7th of September 2024 in Edinburgh.
17. Shortscape is an independent volunteer-run festival. All the proceeds of submission fees go towards supporting the costs of running the festival. The entry fee for submitting a film to the ShortScape Film Festival varies depending on the submission period. The following entry fees apply: Early Bird £3, Normal £5, Late Bird £7 and Owl £10.
All entry fees are non-refundable and must be paid through FilmFreeway when submitting. Failure to pay the appropriate entry fee may result in disqualification of the submitted film. The ShortScape Film Festival reserves the right to change entry fees at its discretion. This excludes any submitting parties who are given a fee bursary.
18. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms and Conditions or the ShortScape Film Festival shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Edinburgh, Scotland. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed under the laws of Scotland.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Absolutely delightful experience! Setup and run by passionate people who champion the arts and celebrate film by supporting its creators. So glad we got to be screened here.

    September 2024
  • Ewan McPherson

    This festival is wonderful!!! It's so inclusive, the team running it made every effort to provide a welcoming environment and I saw such an inspiring selection of films! Deserves a lot of support and love.

    September 2024
  • This might be THE best film festival in Scotland. Welcoming, fun, the atmosphere…ugh the atmosphere. I find myself thinking about the atmosphere all the time. One more shout out for the atmosphere.

    The staff and volunteers are all passionate, friendly, and just love cinema. Film festivals are difficult to run, the Shortscape team make it look easy.

    Special mention for the merch, too! The artwork is incredible.

    Submit your films and attend either way. You won’t regret it.

    September 2024
  • Kinz Luiz

    as an aspiring filmmaker, I felt very welcomed and seen. It was a nice and well-curated event, with many original and different stories. It is definitely among the best short film festivals in Scotland!!!! I hope it gets better and bigger each year

    September 2024
  • Johnny Herbin

    Incredible experience at this festival. A must attend! The film line ups were strong, the talks were fascinating and the team itself are first rate. Especially great for networking. Love this one.

    September 2024