Southampton Film Week

SFW: Shorts was launched in 2012 and attracts films from across the globe. The competition is open to all and offers freedom in theme and genre. The only limitations set are the length of 15 minutes (including titles and credits), that the film must have been made no earlier than January 2024 and that in the organisers’ opinion it is appropriate for a public audience.

Filmmakers can submit their short films to any of the following categories, Best Fiction, Best Documentary, Best Artist Film and Best Music Video. All shortlisted films will be eligible for the Michael Fuller Award for Best Film selected by our panel of judges, and the Audience Award voted for during the festival. Filmmakers from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and Isle of Wight will also be in contention for the Regional Filmmaker Award. In 2022 a new award was introduced for Best Animation, for animated films from across the categories.

Southampton Film Week is led by City Eye, a film charity which supports the development of filmmakers and film culture through its programme of education and training events, its own production work and its screening programme, which includes Southampton Film Week. Established in 1986, City Eye has recently relocated to new purpose-built filmmaking and screening facilities at the heart of Southampton’s Cultural Quarter. The fit-out and equipping of these spaces is underway and a full programme of events, activities and training, alongside access for emerging and established talent to our new facilities, will soon be announced.

The SFW: Shorts film competition is run and organised by City Eye. The competition screening and awards event will take place in Southampton Film Week (SFW) Friday 14th –Sunday 23rd November 2025. We will continue to make announcements through our website and social media channels and all submitting filmmakers will be contacted as decisions are made.

The final selection of all films presented at the competition screening is the responsibility of City Eye.

SFW: Shorts is open to short films of all production techniques, including animation, documentary, drama, experimental and artist film. Films should not be focused on the promotion of commercial products or services.

Films cannot exceed 15 minutes duration (including credits). There is no minimum length. Films made before January 2024 will not be accepted.

The person submitting the film must be authorised to do so and is responsible for ensuring that formal permission is held in relation to all those who have ownership or rights in connection with it. This includes cast and crew (or parents/guardians if under 16).

Third party elements such as music, sound, graphics or still images used within the production should be original, copyright free or where copyrighted filmmakers must have obtained necessary permission for the inclusion of this content.

The content of the film cannot, in the opinion of City Eye, be deemed offensive or defamatory.

If the original language of any dialogue or text featured in the film is not English, the film must be subtitled in English.

By sharing any film with City Eye you agree to grant to City Eye, free of charge, a non-exclusive, perpetual and worldwide licence to re-publish any material you submit, post, upload, email or otherwise transmit to City Eye or Southampton Film Week and permission to use the material in any way it wants (including modifying and adapting it) for the purposes of promoting City Eye or Southampton Film Week. This may include presenting your film at events organised by third party organisations. Your work will always be acknowledged as yours and we will always endeavour to confirm your agreement to further screenings of this kind in advance.

You may submit more than one film to SFW: Shorts.

The Late and final deadline is 10 October 2025. Film submissions will not be accepted for competition after this date.

All filmmakers whose films are shortlisted will be notified by email or phone by 3 November.

All shortlisted filmmakers will be invited to attend the screening and awards ceremony during Southampton Film Week. City Eye and SFW regret that it is not possible to fund entrants to attend this event (eg travel, accommodation etc).

Shortlisted films will be judged by an independent panel and winners will be announced at the Screening and Awards Ceremony during SFW25. The decision of the judges is final. All shortlisted films will be eligible for the Michael Fuller Award for Best Film and the Audience Award. Filmmakers from Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey, West Sussex and Isle of Wight will also be in contention for the Regional Filmmaker Award.

City Eye and SFW are not able to provide individual feedback in relation to any submission either before entry or following short-listing or judging.

If your film is shortlisted you will be requested to provide a high quality screening copy of the original film as a data file via online transfer and as .mov, .avi, .mpeg or .mp4 format in either standard definition or as HDV1080i/p. If City Eye/SFW does not receive your film within the timescale supplied, your film will no longer be eligible to be judged. It is recommended that filmmakers allow sufficient time for films to arrive and that a guaranteed delivery service is used.

Southampton Film Week and City Eye will ensure that all personal information provided within the submission form will never be used for anything other than direct contact from the competition, SFW or City Eye and will not be shared with any other organisation or festival without your permission.

FINAL DEADLINE: 10th October 2025. Good Luck!