In today’s film climate it is hard to showcase short films. Many festivals only care about features and it seems like this art is dwindling to silly videos about kittens on the internet. Even though we love kittens (who doesn’t?) here at the Short. Sweet. Film Fest., we love short films (heck, short is even in our title).

With seven festivals under our belt, our goal for our eighth annual film festival is to showcase films under 30 minutes to the growing art scene in the greater Cleveland area and highlight the works of student filmmakers across the country. We are looking for the best short films locally, nationally, and internationally. So send them our way!

Our festival will take place in the Alex Theater at the Metropolitan at the 9 hotel in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Filmmakers and patrons can stay at the hotel at a discounted rate and enjoy food and beverages throughout the festival.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
• Productions made after January 1, 2010 may be submitted.
• Do not submit works in progress.
• Do not submit industrial or instructional works.
• All films must be submitted on a flash or memory stick in a .mov or .mpg4 format or WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
• All films submitted must be available in .mov or .mpg4 format for presentation.
• A majority of films in digital video formats will be transferred temporarily onto a hard drive system for presentation.
• All entries must be postmarked by Monday, December 31st, 2018. (Early submission discounts apply until September 30th – see fee schedule.)
• A completed entry form must accompany each entry if not submitted through FilmFreeway.
• All entries must be sent to the Short. Sweet. Film Fest. prepaid and, for your own protection, should be insured.
• Flash or Memory sticks submitted will NOT be returned.
• Films selected for the Short. Sweet. Film Fest. will be announced no later than Friday, January 18th, 2019.
• Prints or videos for presentation must arrive no later than Friday, February 1st, 2019.
11 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • DC Evans

    A really outstanding festival, showing a wide range of films in a high-quality venue. I highly recommend filmmakers with a short consider submitting to Short. Sweet.

    March 2018
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  • Mike Rogers

    Short. Sweet Film Festival is packed with quality submission. I was very happy to have my short screenplay receive Outstanding Screenplay for 2018! Thank you Short. Sweet Film Festival!

    March 2018
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  • Thomas Espy

    I really appreciated all the short films I saw during my time at the 2018 Short. Sweet. Film Fest as well as the work that Mike and the staff/volunteers put in to make this such a wonderful festival. If you enjoy film, especially short film (which we need more of), you need to check out this film festival!

    March 2018
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  • James McDougall

    Short. Sweet. Film Fest was a great festival to be apart of. They had amazing communication with our team and it seems to be run by some very professional people who love supporting short films!

    March 2018
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  • John Ondo

    We were honored to be part of this festival. Mike and his team really promoted it well and I was very impressed with the audience. It was a mature film loving group who came and they only had one issue, the venue maybe too small for the crowd they now have. I highly recommend,

    March 2018
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