As a BIFA-qualifying festival, we pride ourselves on curating exciting, entertaining, high-quality programmes celebrating the best in BRITISH SHORT FILM.

Now in our 12th year, we’ve grown our reputation for programming brilliant events for filmmakers and film-fans alike. We are a boutique festival, but our standards for selection are extremely high. Every strand we programme is designed to showcase your films alongside other works that compliment and amplify their themes and narratives.

Selected shorts are created exclusively by filmmakers living, working or studying in the UK, inclusive of British Filmmakers working overseas.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRAISE FOR THE FESTIVAL:

“If it’s film that floats your boat, take up Short Sighted Cinema’s invitation to watch all their short films in one go…. bliss.” – Time Out

“A festival that highlights some of the best filmmaking currently at large in the British film industry.” - Directors Notes

“The eagle-eyed curators who run things are known for spotting the best new short films around. ” – Londonist

Awards & Prizes

Every selected film in our 2026 festival will automatically become an award nominee.

Awards will be judged by experienced industry professionals from across the UK TV and cinema sector, with competition being per strand. Winners will be announced at the end of each screening event.

Our awards recognise the collective body of work that has gone into each unique film. Therefore any genre or style of film will be eligible if selected for the festival.

Rules & Terms

- ONLY UK FILMS ARE ELIGIBLE.

- Films must be completed within the last year by British filmmakers, or filmmakers working, studying or living in the UK (inclusive of the Crown Dependencies).

- Films must be under 25 minutes in length, but can be of any style, genre or theme.

- Films must be complete at the time of submission.

- Selected films will be required to provide us with a DCP, including a subtitled option for accessibility.

- If we need to remake any DCPs, this will incur an additional fee.

- Submitters must obtain all necessary licenses & clearances for their films prior to submission.

- Submitters must declare any use of generative AI. Please see the AI statement on our website for more information.

- Submitting a film gives us permission to use the stills provided and up to 30 seconds of footage for use in The Shortest Nights' marketing and publicity.

- Films that do not fall within our criteria WILL NOT be considered. Please state clearly the UK connection if you are submitting from abroad and get in touch if you have questions.

- DISCOUNT & WAIVER POLICY:

We understand that this is a tough time for our industry. We have therefore added additional discount options to help filmmakers access the festival. However we, like many other independent festivals, are also feeling the pinch. Submission fees are our festival’s main source of income, so please do not abuse our waiver and discount policy, and only ask for a discount if you are eligible and really do need one.

- We have seen a huge decline in submissions from women of colour since the pandemic, and are therefore offering waivers to women of global majority heritages who would otherwise struggle to apply. Email us for details (info@shortsightedcinema.com).

- Animations may be submitted under the animation category for a discount.

- Micro shorts (strictly 5min and under) may be submitted under their own category for a discount.

- Student filmmakers may submit for a discount, simply select the student option when submitting. Please include information about where you are studying during your application.

- Filmmakers with a disability or chronic illness may contact us for a discount.

- Trans+ filmmakers may contact us for a discount.

- Returning filmmakers may contact us for an alumni discount.

- Film teams that can demonstrate adherence to an environmentally conscious / green filmmaking policy are encouraged and may contact us for a discount.

- If you feel that the cost of entry is a barrier to your application to our festival, please email us with a brief explanation as to why you would benefit from a discount.

63 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Alexandra Wain

    Such a warm and wonderful festival! Huge thanks to the whole team. I watched some amazing short films and met some incredible filmmakers. 100% apply to this festival!

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Ben Hyland

    Love this festival. Gem’s a legend. Got to shake hands with Chattering Cenobite from Hellraiser. All at the fabulous RichMix in Shoreditch. What’s not to love.

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Ramon Ricard

    Brilliant programme, brilliant hosts, brilliant world premier of our short ALONE.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much, Ramon. Was fantastic to meet you and we love the film 🙂

  • Daniel England

    A brilliant festival. Great communication, great networking and such care and attention shown for all films.
    Having our film How Fast Can You Eat A Pickled egg open the festival was an honour only beaten by organiser Gem racing an egg in the bar afterwards. Loved it!

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for bringing egg-wareness about egg racing to our audience! What a fun and uplifting film. And thanks so much for the lovely comments… and the pickled egg 🙂

  • Sunny Bahia

    It was such a pleasure to have 'Terminal' play at The Shortest Nights. An amazingly well run festival by Gem and her team. Great venue for a screening and post-drinks. Fantastic communication throughout and lots of nicely curated social media posts supporting each selection.

    September 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for the kind words, Sunny. A pleasure to meet you and to screen your brilliantly inventive film.