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 Kaitaiai to Stewart Island.

We launch the festival with glamorous opening night events at the country's two most prestigious picture palaces The Civic in Auckland and The Embassy in Wellington.

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. Rubber Monkey gear rental to value of NZ$5,000. Final Draft writing software. Bottle of Opawa wine. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best International Film Award
Oscar®-qualifying status. Final Draft writing software. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

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

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

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

Special Jury Prize
NZ$1,500 cash. Bottle of Opawa wine. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best Student Film Award
NZ$1,500 cash. Bottle of Opawa wine. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

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

Best Cinematographer Award
Panavision camera gear rental to value of NZ$10,000. Bottle of Opawa wine. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

Best Screenplay Award
Final Draft writing software. Bottle of Opawa wine. Flowers. Bronze winners badge. Certificate.

People’s Choice Award
NZ$1500 cash. Final Draft writing software. Bottle of Opawa wine. 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.
19 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • false
    Liam Harris

    Although I couldn't attend in person, the SMS team were excellent at communicating throughout the festival and to be able to screen our film at so many venues in NZ throughout the tour was really wonderful. Keep up the good work! :)

    April 2018
    Helpful
  • false
    Guy Pigden

    Great festival, lots of fun to attend and plenty of opportunities to network with various movers and shakers.

    April 2018
    Helpful
  • false
    Tom Teller

    Show Me Shorts is a one of a kind festival that did wonders for the release of our film. We would highly recommend submitting to their phenomenal team!

    April 2018
    Helpful
  • false
    Alexander Gandar

    Such a great festival. Incredible staff with a true love of the form, and the programmes are always unique and stimulating. Love it.

    April 2018
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

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

  • false
    James Cunningham

    Some good referrals from this festival to other festivals. Great screening venue for opening night, can't get much better than the Civic Theatre. Make sure you review the films they select and check if your film might align with their tastes.

    April 2018
    Helpful
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thanks James, always a pleasure to highlight your work.