Show Me Shorts is New Zealand’s leading international short film festival. We work to connect New Zealanders with the best short films from here and around the world; celebrate excellence in short film making; and foster the short film community.

Each year our experienced team of programmers curate a selection of the best short films from Aotearoa and around the world, plus some of the top local music videos. We prioritise cinematic narrative-style films with strong audience appeal, as well as films that are making their premiere in our festival.

Founded in 2006 at a single venue, Show Me Shorts has grown to become a nationwide event celebrating the short film art form, and championing the filmmakers. The festival now takes place at more than 25 cinemas nationwide, from Kaitaia to Stewart Island.

We launch the festival with a glamorous opening and awards night event at the country's most prestigious picture palace The Civic in Auckland.

As part of the festival, Show Me Shorts also provides resources, professional development and networking opportunities for aspiring short film makers through our Short Film Talks, Filmmaker Resources and Aotearoa Short Film Lab for screenwriters.

At Show Me Shorts, we love filmmakers. We love your creativity, aspirations, questions and how your stories bring us together.

Awards & Prizes

We are proud to celebrate and acknowledge the work of filmmakers who achieve excellence. As as an Oscar®-qualifying festival the winners of our coveted Best New Zealand Film Award and Best International Film Award become eligible to enter the Academy Awards®.

Best New Zealand Film Award
Oscar®-qualifying status. NZ$2,000 cash. Post-production services to the value of NZ$10,000. Film-making gear rental to value of NZ$5,000. Final Draft writing software. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best International Film Award
Oscar®-qualifying status. NZ$2,000 cash. Final Draft writing software. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best Director Award
NZ$500 cash. One-year membership to DEGNZ. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.
One-year membership to DEGNZ for the finalists.

Best Editor Award
NZ$500 cash. One-year membership to DEGNZ. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.
One-year membership to DEGNZ for the finalists.

Best Music Video Award
NZ$1,500 cash. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best Actor Award
NZ$500 cash. Final Draft writing software. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best Cinematographer Award
Panavision camera gear rental to value of NZ$12,000. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best Screenplay Award
Final Draft writing software. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

People’s Choice Award
NZ$2,000 cash. Final Draft writing software. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Rules & Terms

GENRE: Films and music videos can be any genre.

LENGTH: Films are to be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 20 minutes in length (including end credits). Music videos must be no less than 1 minute and no more than 10 minutes in length.

COMPLETION DATE: Films and music videos must have been completed not more than two years before the opening date of the festival.

BROADCASTING: Films must not have previously been shown publicly on the Internet. (This does not apply to music videos or to short films entered in the ‘Not in competition’ category.)

SUBTITLES: All entries with dialogue not in the English language must be subtitled in English.

UNFINISHED FILMS: Please contact us before the deadline to request permission to submit an incomplete film, or have an extension granted.

ENTRY CATEGORIES: Show Me Shorts has four categories of entry. Films made by New Zealanders or with significant New Zealand content are eligible for the ‘New Zealand short films’ entry category. Films made without significant NZ contribution or content are eligible for the ‘International short films’ entry category. New Zealand or international films that are or have been shown publicly online in New Zealand are only eligible for the ‘Not in competition’ entry category. New Zealand music videos are eligible for the ‘New Zealand music video’ entry category.

POSTAGE: All postage costs are the responsibility of the sender.

PROMO USE: By submitting your film or music video, you grant Show Me Shorts Film Festival the right to use up to 30 seconds of your production for TV, cinema advertising, video, internet, and all other electronic media for promotional purposes.

COPIES: Show Me Shorts Film Festival may make copies of films and music videos that are selected for the purposes of censorship, obtaining media reviews/stories and for exhibition purposes.

RIGHTS: The person submitting this film or music video warrants to Show Me Shorts Film Festival that they have obtained all the necessary permissions to enter this film and that the film does not infringe the rights, including copyright, of any third party. This includes the use of any sound clips and music.

LIABILITY: The person submitting this film agrees that Show Me Shorts Film Festival, it's board, sponsors and partners, and judges, individually and collectively will not be held responsible for losses, damages, costs and liabilities relating to any films submitted to this festival.

INFORMATION: The personal information you provide to us is collected for the purposes of Show Me Shorts Film Festival only. You consent to any such information being used for the above purpose by Show Me Shorts Film Festival whose address is Room 26, Level 2, Auckland Trades Building, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand. You may request access to and if necessary correction of any personal information which we hold about you.
29 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Con Funny

    I was soooooo! happy during The Show Me Shorts festival.
    I think it's because I'm with good people.
    I am grateful to many people.
    They gave me unforgettable memories.
    They are already my friends.
    I will always miss you guys and that day, that moment.
    Kind escorts, useful programs, meeting with korean film industry officials, sightseeing tours, etc.
    Everything was perfect.THANK YOU

    February 2019
    Helpful
  • Megan Pugh

    Terrifically helpful even all the way across the pond.
    SMSFF was too far for us to attend sadly, but we felt apperciated and well looked after nonetheless.

    Thank you Mark and team! Megan (The Blue Door)

    January 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Megan, can't wait to see your next film.

  • Simeon Duncombe

    A great festival, with a really great team, that continually improves year after year. Definitely put this one on your list.

    December 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Simeon, it was wonderful to meet you and help launch "Toilet" so successfully.

  • Eldon Booth

    Excellent festival to be a part of - great communication and organisation from a dedicated team.

    December 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Eldon, you did a wonderful job. So glad your team could be part of the festival this year.

  • Tim Worrall

    Show Me Shorts goes from strength to strength as a festival platform completely committed to the art form of short film and to the work of connecting appreciative audiences to those films. Every aspect of what they do is world class. Right from their gala opening night - attended by our super-cool Prime Minister - through their amazingly extensive cinema showings across NZ, their industry workshops and their post-festival follow-up offer of international distribution. Thank you Show Me Shorts for including our films in your great festival.

    December 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Always a pleasure Tim! Looking forward to your next film.