The South Asia Shorts Competition is a free script competition for short films rooted in South Asian experience. Open to writers based anywhere in the world.

The winner receives a US $7,500 production grant and a US $500 festival submission stipend — selected by a global community of 37,000+ filmmakers, not a closed jury.

Scripts must be 5–20 pages, written in English, with subject matter rooted in South Asian experience. Films can be made in any language.

Submissions close April 26, 2026.

The competition is hosted on kinolime.in, a dedicated platform for South Asian indie filmmakers from Kinolime — an indie production studio with a track record of turning competition winners into produced films.

Past proof: THE WAIF (2024 winner, BAFTA-nominated director Stephen Fingleton attached) and MOB MENTALITY (2025 winner, in development).

*Submissions must be made at https://kinolime.in

Awards & Prizes

US $7,500 Production Grant
Fund your production.

US $500 Festival Submission Stipend
Get your finished film in front of audiences and industry.

No creative strings attached. You produce independently.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

- Open to writers 18+ based anywhere in the world
- Subject matter must be rooted in South Asian experience from anywhere in the world
- Must hold 100% ownership of the script, or have written consent from all co-writers
- Script must not have been previously produced for commercial profit or under option
- A free Kinolime account is required to submit
- Co-writers welcome — designate one Primary Entrant for communication and prize disbursement

Submission Requirements

- Submissions must be made at https://kinolime.in
- 5–20 pages, industry-standard screenplay format, PDF only
- Original work only; self-adaptations of your own material accepted
- No images, watermarks, or personal information beyond the title page
- A brief director's statement must be included
- Up to 3 scripts per entrant
- Resubmissions: scripts not selected for active voting may be resubmitted once if substantially revised — email scriptreview@kinolime.com with "Resubmission Request" before uploading

Selection Process

Round 1: Submissions open March 30 – April 26, 2026
Round 2: Kinolime team selects the Top 26
Round 3: Community voting — Top 26 to Top 10
Round 4: Industry judges — Top 10 to Top 3
Round 5: Community selects the winner from the Top 3