The 2026 Nihilist International Film Festival announced that it is looking for short videos for this year’s program. Festival Director Elisha Shapiro says, “It’s the Nihilist Film Festival for god’s sake. Heresy, tastelessness, offensiveness…you get the idea. We’re looking for that film other festival are afraid of.” If you are a filmmaker who wants to be part of the fun, Shapiro hopes you will send your entry to the twentieth edition of the Nihilist Film Festival.

Awards & Prizes

Modest prizes will be awarded, thanks to a grant from the Cactus Foundation. “The judges are capricious, but if you can make then laugh at the pointness suffering and idiocy of our species, you’re on the right track.” explained Shapiro. Submissions must be shorter than 30 minutes. The deadline for entries is September 15.

Rules & Terms

shorter than 30 minutes
23 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Pepper Filly Productions

    Great experience with festival organizers! Even though we weren't able to attend, we were kept up to date on every single step, and they even have little gifties for the selected films. Really wish we could have been there in person - because it sounded like a blast!

    December 2025
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  • Le Zoo Cinema

    It was an honour for me and Le Zoo to be a part of The Nihilist Film Festival. Elisha Shapiro has a wonderful communication. Highly recommended transgressive film fest!

    February 2025
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  • Robert Barhite

    What a fantastic, twisted festival! Awesome selection of films and I'm glad we were selected to be a part of it. The swag bag was totally unexpected and was very welcomed :) Can't wait to create something offensive for 2025.

    January 2025
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  • Joseph Silver

    Fantastic collection of offbeat films put together by an offbeat character. We were honored to be selected.

    January 2024
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  • Hélène Matte

    It was a pleasure to end this year of videopoetry broadcasting with the Nihilist Film Festival. I would have liked to celebrate the arrival of the end of the world in Los Angeles with you! Thank you for the great organization and the impeccable communications... and for the calendar! A reference for the next year!

    January 2023
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