“Stories of joy, health, and connection - envisioning a new world forward”

This year, we invite vertical and horizontal short films that imagine the world we are building together—one rooted in joy, love, health, and human connection.

We're looking for shorts that expand consciousness, celebrate our shared humanity, and envision daily lives, communities, and systems of governance aligned with the best of who we can be. We welcome bold, hopeful, and creative visions of the future—films that show us what it looks like to live in harmony, to thrive, and to dream the new earth into being.

Selected films play to diverse audiences at our free events which screen up to 1.5 hours of content at venues accessible to anyone.

***CRUCIAL COMMUNICATION INFO***

We notify through FilmFreeway. If your film is selected we message you with instructions by posting notes to your FilmFreeway project page which generates an email to you.

If we don't hear from you, we will mark your film as 'incomplete' and reach out again. If we never hear from you, your film will be disqualified.

**If your film is over 8 minutes due to credits - enter your runtime as 8 min.

SELECTION PROCESS
Films are selected by our programmer. Who determines which films will screen and compete for our award during our June festival event or events. Films are selected for finalist status based on impact and how they fit into the allotted time of our program.

IRANIAN, PALESTINIAN, UKRAINIAN, KURDISH FILMMAKERS - HOW TO REQUEST AND OBTAIN A CODE
1. Scan evidence of nationality (photo id - passport, or driver's license) showing your name and address 2. Scan a postmarked and dated bill or another official document showing your current residence place 3. Send both via email to micromania@sparkfilmmakers.org 4. Once we confirm your eligibility, we will send you a code. 5. Once you have received your unique code from us, you may submit via this category and upload your documents to the docs section of your application. I request per submitter per year.

EVALUATION

Films are rated on a scale from 1-5 based on adherence to festival theme & impact first and production quality second. Our 2026 award winner is the film that has received the best overall (averaged) rating.

Our event will take place on June 5, 2026.

May all your days and nights be filled with joy and love!

AWARDS

Best Micro 2026 - $100 USD

Spark Micro-Short Film Festival is open vertical and horizontal short films up to 8 minutes in duration (before credits) from all countries.

All non-English language films must be subtitled in English.

No pornography, NO HATE, no violence. Love is all you need.

RESPONSIVENESS

Accepted filmmakers are asked to respond to requests for assets (film files, still images, descriptive text, and contact information) by listed deadlines. It helps us out a lot when you are thorough. Mistakes are too. 😊

Please deliver requested items as requested. If you have questions or need some help, just send us an email.

We do understand that life happens. We don't mind following up - to a point.
Lack of responsiveness after two attempts may result in disqualification.

ENTRY FEE

Entry fees pay for operational costs (website, marketing, venue, promotional costs), filmmaker cash awards, and stipends for filmmaker panelists (if a surplus remains and/or we can find sponsors to cover them).
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Entry fees are non-refundable and required for each distinct category submission.

One fee per entry. If a film is duplicated in multiple categories and accepted, the duplicate will be disqualified.

No refunds - it is your responsibility to read and base your decision to submit on the information we have taken care to provide. You are also welcome to email us with any questions you may have before you submit your film. However, we will not review your film before submission - we just don't have the capacity to do that.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All entrants agree with the terms and conditions below to be featured as 'Officially Selected'

Delivery of 'Officially Selected' films will be accepted digitally.

All films must be delivered with credits to the specifications requested in the acceptance email notification.  Filmmakers will also be required to send promotional stills and may be asked for descriptive text to aid our promotional efforts.

Accepted filmmakers must add our festival email to their safe list and respond promptly. We understand that we have no idea what anyone is facing at any given moment. We will do our best to work with you. Please do the same for us. 

We reserve the right to remove an accepted film from its programming schedule due to low resolution, poor quality, disrespectful behavior on the filmmaker's part, or lack of timely response by accepted filmmakers.

PROMOTIONAL RIGHTS

Spark Micro-Short Film Festival is at this moment granted the right to utilize still images and submission descriptions provided by accepted filmmakers for promotional purposes leading up to the event (required). 

ENTRY LIABILITY
The filmmaker holds the Spark Micro-Short Film Festival, its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, etc., harmless from any claims of liability resulting from entry. The filmmaker is certified to have full rights. The producer will indemnify the organizers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings, and losses resulting from the film's screening at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

May all your days and nights be filled with joy and love!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lauren Speeth

    We were so honored to be selected as a Finalist at Spark Micro-Short Film Festival with our film John Riordan, Matamaiticeoir. Your festival is so special in its focus on micro-short films, and this makes the Finalist laurel even more special to us. Thank you from the whole team.

    February 2025
  • shaho ahmadi

    Thank you for your efforts
    I wish you could send a certificate to the selection

    September 2023
    Response from festival:

    Sent!

  • I am honored to participate in this year's Spark Micro-Short Film Festival with "Resurrection under the Ocean" short film! - 😃😃😃🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏

    September 2023
    Response from festival:

    Happy to have your lovely film, Serkan. Thank you for taking a chance on us.

  • mark bellusci

    A great festival that supports independent filmmakers. Thrilled to have my film, Bad Doggie, Chuckles, selected.

    September 2023
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for submitting. Your film is super fun!

  • Professional festival
    No 1
    It’s great pleasure choosing my work for tow prize
    Thanks 🙏

    September 2023
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Farnoosh. Your film is wonderful. We’re so happy that you choose to submit it.