Kortfilmfestivalen / The Norwegian Short Film Festival is Norway's only Academy Award® qualifying short film festival with a competition programme for Norwegian and international short films and documentaries, and Norwegian music videos. Norwegian films also qualify for Amanda Award consideration.

**TO QUALIFY FOR COMPETITION, INTERNATIONAL FILMS MUST BE COMPLETED AFTER 15th FEBRUARY 2022 AND NORWEGIAN FILMS AFTER 15th MARCH 2022.**
Films completed prior to this date risk disqualification. No refunds will be given.

The Festival is an essential platform for both emerging and established filmmakers, arguably the most important showcase for the free, independent film industry in Norway. The competition programme for international short films attracts industry people from all over the world to Grimstad, and the festival facilitates industry events such as panels and presentations, talks and open discussions, and networking opportunities connecting Norwegian and international film professionals.

The Norwegian Short Film Festival is an Academy Award® qualifying festival in the following categories:

*Norwegian Short Film
*Short Documentary
*International Short Film

The recipients of The Golden Chair Award in these categories will be eligible for Oscar® consideration.

Awards & Prizes

Our Grand Jury Award is THE GOLDEN CHAIR, which four international juries of film professionals will hand out in four main categories:

- Best Norwegian Short Film
- Best International Short Film
- Best Short Documentary, International or Norwegian
- Best Norwegian Music Video

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- THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best Norwegian Short Film is awarded 50 000 NOK.
The Norwegian Short Film Festival is an Academy Award qualifying festival, and the winning film will automatically be in consideration for the Academy Awards.
The winning film will also be shortlisted for the Norwegian film award, Amandaprisen.

- THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best International Short Film is awarded 50 000 NOK and will automatically be in consideration for the Academy Awards.

- THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best Documentary Short Film is awarded 50 000 NOK presented by Aftenposten. Please note this is an international competition, with Norwegian and international short films in the same category.
The winning film will automatically be in consideration for the Academy Awards.
One of the Norwegian entries will also be shortlisted for the Norwegian film prize, Amanda Award.

- THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best Norwegian Music Video is awarded 50 000 NOK, presented by Oslo Fotokunstskole.

- THE TERJE VIGEN AWARD consists of a bronze statuette made by artist Harald Oredam and 10 000 NOK, and is presented by the Municipality of Grimstad to a Norwegian short film or documentary. The winning film will also be shortlisted for the Norwegian film award, Amandaprisen.

- THE SPARK AWARD / GNISTPRISEN goes to a Norwegian filmmaker exhibiting boldness and creative talent. It comes with a cash prize of 50 000 NOK presented by Altibox, in addition to marketing and distribution of the film on Altibox’ streaming service. 


- THE NORWEGIAN FILM WORKERS ASSOCIATION'S TECHNICAL AWARD / FAGPRISEN is given to an individual for their exceptional work and professional contribution to a Norwegian film in competition. It also comes with a cash prize of 10 000 NOK.

- THE HOURGLASS AWARD / TIMEGLASSET is presented by the Writer’s Guild of Norway to the creators of the best short script in the Norwegian short film competition. It comes with a cash prize of 15 000 NOK.

- THE NORWEGIAN FILM CRITICS' AWARD / FILMKRITIKERPRISEN goes to a Norwegian short film in competition. The award comes with a selected artwork by a Norwegian artist.

- KORTFILMFESTIVALEN'S YOUTH AWARD is presented to a film in the International Short Film Program by a student jury from Dahlske Upper Secondary School in Grimstad.
The award comes with a cash prize of NOK 5.000.

Rules & Terms

TO QUALIFY FOR COMPETITION, INTERNATIONAL FILMS MUST BE COMPLETED AFTER 15th FEBRUARY 2022 AND NORWEGIAN FILMS AFTER 15TH MARCH 2022.
Films completed prior to this date risk disqualification.

- Submission deadline for International films: 1st February, 2023.
Late Deadline: 15th February.

- Submission deadline for Norwegian films: 15th March, 2023.

If you have a hybrid film and are unsure where it would fit in, please contact us at submission@kortfilmfestivalen.no.

Short Films must not exceed 35 min running time, including credits.
Short Documentary Films must not exceed 40 min running time, including credits.

For International submissions: Only completed films are eligible for consideration, works in progress or unfinished films will not be considered.

For Norwegian submissions: The festival might consider a work in progress or an uncompleted film provided it will be locked and ready by 10th of May, 2023.
The criteria for Norwegian entries are that the film's director or main producer is a Norwegian citizen or permanent resident.
If in doubt, please contact us at submission@kortfilmfestivalen.no

We only accept entries on FilmFreeway. Your film must be either uploaded directly to the platform, or embedded via Vimeo. We will not visit or download material from external links (google drive, dropbox, etc).

Please make sure you submit in the right category, if not you may risk disqualification and no refunds will be made.
Also make sure you have all the information, credits and technical specifications listed on your film's page. If selected, this is the information and images we will use online and in the program.

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A pre-selection committee, appointed by the festival for each category, will watch all submissions and make the final selection. We are not able to give feedback on films or reasons for the committee’s decisions.

If selected for competition we require a projection copy or file, which must be delivered or transferred by April 25th, 2023. Standard format is DCP, but we accept other formats to convert.
NOTE: Wraptor-made DCPs are not compatible with our cinema's servers, and will not be accepted.
For content included on our digital platform, we will also require a high res h264 file.

Selection notifications will be sent all filmmakers in the beginning of April 2023.

Submission fees by category:
Norwegian Short Films is 280 NOK
International Short Films is 200 NOK / Late fee 250 NOK
Short Documentaries (International) is 200 NOK / Late fee 250 NOK
Short Documentaries (Norwegian) is 280 NOK
Norwegian Music Video is 200 NOK

(Please note the Short Documentary competition consists of both Norwegian and International films, with Norwegian films being eligible for four additional awards.)

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: Do you accept works-in-progress?
A: We accept Norwegian work-in-progress cuts that are picture locked and includes an
opening slate listing what still needs to be completed (color-correction, sound mix,
special effects, etc.). We will only review one cut, so please contact us if you have any
questions.

Q: If my short could fit into two categories, such as an animated documentary, how do I
choose which category to submit to?
A: Listen to your gut. Submit to the category that you feel best represents your film.

Q: Can I submit in several categories?
A: Yes, but see above. Contact us before if in doubt.

Q: My film is shot in Norway, but it's a Swedish production. Am I eligible for the Norwegian
competition?
A: No. Foreign films are eligible only if the main producer and/or director is a Norwegian
citizen or permanent resident.

Q: Are student shorts eligible for awards?
A: Yes, student shorts are eligible for all awards.
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • rachel aoun

    Grateful to be part f this awesome festival! the communication was very smooth and the team very helpful.

    October 2022
    Helpful
  • Rossella Laeng

    This was an incredible festival. From the networking opportunities to the insightful industry panels and fun activities (boat rides! Parties! Drag bingo!). It was like summer camp for adult filmmakers, and I didn’t want it to end. Also the planning was impeccable: the festival goes out of its way to assist financially by reaching out to embassies for sponsorship, offering meal vouchers, and housing attendees together. I really can’t say enough good things about it. If you’re fortunate enough to have your film selected, the trip to Grimstad is totally worth it.

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • Dimitris Tsakaleas

    Norwegian Short Film Festival was a blast!
    Great programme and line up, we loved that we had our world premiere there!
    Unfortunately only our producer was able to attend but she had a great experience!
    Hoping to be able to be back with our next film :)

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • Anders Petterøe

    Because of covid-19, the festival was mostly digital, but the people behind it have really made the best out of the situation! :) I can't wait for next year's live event.

    July 2021
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  • Filmes do Gajo

    It was with great pleasure that we were part of your festival and watched many films at your online edition. The program showcased many various styles of documentary film, as it presented a wide overview of short film productions. Moreover the online platform was easy to access and all necessary information was shared in a convenient matter. Thank you!

    February 2021
    Helpful