"Such a wonderful festival, brilliantly run by a wonderful team"
"They take filmmaking and filmmakers really seriously."
"The communication and feedback provided are second-to-none."

Sunday Shorts is a monthly film festival and script competition which provides feedback on every submission, and culminates with a weekend of screenings and an awards ceremony.

In 2019, we relocated our monthly screenings to Lisbon; Portugal's historical capital, fast becoming the creative and start-up hub of Europe, but our main festival still takes place in London once a year.

Our submissions now start at an even lower fee of just $5 for students, $6 Gold, and $7 regular, for films under 3 minutes, and scripts under 5 pages.

50% OFF Immigration Films! This month, we are finalising a separate program for a short film immigration event, and are therefore encouraging films about this subject, both Documentary and Fiction, by offering 50% off standard submission fees.

☻ Script Judging - All short scripts are read to the end by the programmer and receive short feedback as standard, and short-listed scripts are read by the festival director. We're looking for scripts with the most potential, that have utilised the screenplay medium.

☻ Film Judging - All submissions are watched in their entirety by the programmer and/or the festival director and receive short feedback as standard. We aim to curate diverse programs of different styles and lengths, and are especially interested in cross-genre films, but story always comes first.

☻ Q&As - We emphasise the importance of sharing our experiences, and strive to present a Q&A along with every official selection. Filmmakers are encouraged to attend their screening, but also have the opportunity to pre-record a Q&A video.

☻ Semi-Finalists - We award Semi-Finalist status to only a handful of projects that we really liked, but are unable to include in the current program. Semi-Finalists also receive a laurel, are promoted on social media, and are considered for future programs.

Awards & Prizes

Audience Award Winner - As voted for in-person by all attendees at the end of each monthly event. The winner is presented with a certificate and the Audience Award Winner Laurel. Absent winning filmmakers receive their certificate by post. Only Audience Award Winners are eligible for Best Film 2020.

Script Competition Winner - Chosen by the programmer and the festival director exclusively from submissions that month. The winner is notified on the notification date and receives the Script Competition Winner Laurel, a Sunday Shorts certificate, and personalised media coverage. Winners are displayed on the 'Scripts' page of our website, with the aim of connecting buyers, financiers and collaborators directly with the writers

Script Competition Finalist - A runner-up is notified on the notification date and receives the Script Competition Finalist Laurel. Finalists are also displayed on the 'Scripts' tab of our website, with the aim of connecting buyers, financiers and collaborators directly with the writers.

Sunday Shorts Film Awards - Once per year in London, a weekend of screenings and events culminates with an awards ceremony. Each category is judged by an industry guest who are invited to present the award in person. Award Winners receive a physical award and a unique laurel. All selections from the previous 12 months are eligible for nomination in the following categories:

BEST FILM
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE DRAMA
BEST MICRO SHORT (< 3 minutes)
BEST PRODUCTION
BEST DRAMA
BEST COMEDY
BEST DOCUMENTARY
BEST ANIMATION
BEST THRILLER (inc. Horror)
BEST EXPERIMENTAL (inc. Music Video)

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY:

Only projects submitted through Filmfreeway are considered.

Films not in English language must have English subtitles.

No premiere requirements, and films may already be available online.

Student projects must have been a majority student production. Submitters must have been a student at the time of production. All levels of education are eligible.

Submitted scripts would ideally be unproduced original screenplays, but not exclusively. Writers of all ages are eligible, from any country in the world, but entries must be written in English language.

All film selections will be notified, and will be required to provide a HD .MOV or .MP4 of the film.

Selected films wishing not to use their 'Official Premiere', can request to screen as a 'Preview', but will not be eligible for any awards.

Selected films won't be uploaded or shared online, unless the submitter has given prior permission, or it is already publicly available online.

Submitter grants us authorisation to include images, extracts and promotional material for our own promotional purposes, but the project must be credited.

Submitter agrees they have read and understood all the terms and conditions, rules and guidelines before submitting a project.
51 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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  • Charlie Grant

    Great team. Great site. <3

    November 2019
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    Response from festival:

    You're a dope guy, Charlie! Thanks for the Q&A video and your kind words about the festival. Can't wait for Earpiece to be released online!

  • Christer Wahlberg

    They take filmmaking and filmmakers really seriously. First they give you feedback on your work, then they give you the possibility to do a Q and A that is shown after the film. Then they use social media before the festival (showing trailers and posters of the movie), and when the festival is running. It’s a perfect way for your movie to get the maximum spread. And on top of this they are so kind and communicative. The only question I have is why they don’t rename it to “The Perfect Film Festival”.

    October 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Christer, for the very kind words. We're truly grateful to have your film in our festival. It's very brave and provocative, but a rewarding film, and I hope more festivals will take the risk! We can't wait to see what you're dreaming up next.

  • Aliona Ortega

    We are happy that our short film "the Painting" was selected as a semi-finalist in Sunday Shorts Film Festival. Thank you!

    October 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Aliona! Such an interesting film, especially knowing it is a true story! We hope to screen it soon either in competition, or at a themed event - perhaps a 'based on true stories' special!

  • Andor Berényi

    Best communication ever! They've helped me to find someone who corrected the subtitles' mistakes on my short. Love them, and thank you again for the Jury Award!

    October 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Wow, thank you! Well done for getting the subtitles updating in time, and we look forward to the second screening of 'SUNDAY' - this Sunday! (great choice of title by the way)

  • Geoffrey Breton

    SS is just such a wonderful festival, brilliantly run by a wonderful team. I was very proud to have my short TUSCANY selected and also win the Audience Award. Lee was exceptionally encouraging, kind and superbly organised.

    September 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much, Geoff! We're looking forward to screening TUSCANY again in Lisbon later this month, and can't wait to see your other three films!