The Shortcut 100 International Film Festival is an annual showcase dedicated to promoting the best in independent short film from both established and emerging filmmakers.

For the same amount of time as an average feature film (around 100 minutes) we offer our audience access to the up-and-coming voices and unique artistic visions of independent cinema from around the world.

Based in Chicago and presented by Pixquid®, every year features an opening program online at pixquid.com and an in-person closing night reception, awards chosen by our audience and an after party with filmmakers in attendance.

It's 2025, we celebrate our 12th anniversary! Same as last year, we will proudly open our program virtually at Pixquid.com. The online audience votes will determine the top 6-8 short films to be screened in-person at our closing night. The winner of each category will have an opportunity to distribute their award winning short films on the platform. All official selections will automatically be entered for distribution consideration, also known as "Pixquid's Choice" status. For more information about Pixquid®, sign up for a free account at pixquid.com and dive into the ocean of content today.

Your short film could be screened and awarded as follows:

1) Shortcut 100 Audience Award
Distribution Opportunity on Pixquid (pixquid.com)
Audience Award Trophy
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2) Best Shot In Chicago Award
Distribution Opportunity on Pixquid (pixquid.com)
Best Shot In Chicago Trophy
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3) Female Filmmaker Showcase Award
Distribution Opportunity on Pixquid (pixquid.com)
Female Filmmaker Showcase Award Trophy
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4) Best Short Screenplay Award (up to 20 pages in length) - presented by Chicago Screenwriters Network (CSN)
CSN Award Certificate
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5) Pixquid's Choice
Streaming and distribution opportunity

For short film submissions in all categories:
By submitting your film to Shortcut 100, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
• Filmmakers must submit their films to Shortcut 100 Film Festival via FilmFreeway. Do not send your master tape or original.
• Submission of film constitutes your affirmation that it does not violate any copyright.
• Films must be 30 minutes or less. Films need to have been produced and/or completed between January 2018 and June 2025.
• The film(s) can be produced anywhere in the world.
• If selected, you must submit a bio and one or more high resolution production stills and/or promotional photos of key film participants. These files make it easier for Nebula Creatives to promote your film on the web, with media, and in the Festival program
• Once entered, films may not be withdrawn from participation at Shortcut 100. Once withdrawn, the film may not be resubmitted.
• Applicant hereby grants Shortcut 100 Film Festival the right to utilize up to 60 seconds of the film for promotional purposes, also to use stills, biographical material, names and likenesses from the film for promotional purposes and in the Festival program. Further to provide copies of the film for journalists to review, to show the film at press screenings, if any, and during the Festival.
• Shortcut 100 Film Festival will use its best efforts to ensure the correct title and credits are listed in the Festival Program, but shall not be held liable for inadvertent errors or omissions.
• Festival programmers and judges shall determine selections and together with the festival audience for the award winners, if any, at their sole discretion.
• Shortcut 100 Film Festival reserves the right to decide all questions not specifically provided for in the Terms and Conditions.
• Nebula Creatives reserves the right to adjust dates and times of film screenings without notice. Nebula Creatives shall not be responsible for delays or cancellations due to equipment failure, shipping problems, or films damaged in transit.
• Any work produced or submitted by festival personnel or staff involved in organizing any aspects of the festival will not be accepted.

Guidelines for All Short Scripts:
• Scripts must have been completed after January 1, 2020.
• Submitted Short scripts need to be between 10 and 20 pages in length and must be an original script and the sole property of the applicant(s). No exceptions.
• All non-English language short scripts will need to be translated and submitted in English.
• A separate entry form and additional entry fee must be submitted for each script.
Submissions need to be the final version; no corrections or substitutions of pages will be
allowed once the script is uploaded into the web portal.
• Entries will need to be uploaded as a PDF.
• Scripts must not be in production.
• All ages are eligible.
• Submissions to the Short script contest are required to have a Cover page with the following information:

Screenplay Title
Participant’s Name
Genre
Logline
Page Count (excluding the Cover Page)
Participants Address
Contact Email Address (can include two email addresses if applicant so desires)
Phone Number (please include area code)

• If a submitted script becomes optioned, produced or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the judging period, that script will no longer be eligible to win an award.
• Scripts, including outlines, treatments, pitches, log lines or any developmental material related to the script, that have previously won any contest, competition, grants, lab, fellowship, mentorship, reading or award of any kind, are not eligible.
• Scripts submitted under a pen name will be immediately disqualified.
• The title for the script cannot be changed and resubmission later under a different name.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Savanna Wrobel

    This was truly an honor to be a part of. So many amazing films, and mine being chosen to play along side them, amazing!

    December 2024
  • This was a lot of fun. Great crowd and management! We had a blast drinking with everyone afterwards too.

    November 2024
  • Communication was nice and clear. We are looking forward to seeing our short on Pixquid!

    November 2024
  • All festivals are primarily celebrations. It is important that films are seen by different audiences. It is very valuable and important when your work is evaluated by a qualified jury and also seen by many viewers. Congratulations on the festival and good luck.

    November 2024
  • Great Festival. Communication was fantastic. It was a joy to be apart of this festival and its unique platform, still in shock to take home the Audience award.

    November 2023
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Carter, and congrats on the award! Looking forward to having you and your work again in the future!