Thessaloniki Free Short Festival is a Free Short Film Festival for Student and Youth Filmmakers all over the world and Greek Filmmakers with a Live Event every year.

The team of Thessaloniki Free Short Festival consists of graduates and students of Art schools mostly from the area of ​​Thessaloniki. We work as a team. Our goal is to give filmmakers from all over the world (professionals and amateurs) the opportunity to participate in a short film festival at no cost, to showcase their work and to create a communication network between them.

It's Free to submit. We accept short films up to 30 minutes that were shot from 2022 onwards.

Our 1st Season (2021) was a success with 350 submissions from almost 50 Countries with a *Live Event* on September 17th at the Rooftop of Eterotopia, Thessaloniki, Greece. More than 100 people were in the open air cinema of Eterotopia to watch the live screenings Event and Award Ceremony.

Season 2 (2022) was a huge success with 3200 submissions from 115 countries and a *Live Screenings Event* on September 26th at WE (Thessaloniki). Over than 100 people was there to watch 10 Awarded Short Films. Directors and actors of some short films (Greek Competition) also attended, where they were awarded.

3rd Season (2023): Thessaloniki Free Short Festival from its third season changes its characteristics and acquires an identity. It is becoming a festival that is mainly addressed to new filmmakers from all over the world, with a focus on Student Filmmakers, Youth Filmmakers and Greek Filmmakers.

3300 submissions from 120 countries, 40 Judges from all over the World (previous Festival Winners), a collaboration with "Hallucinea Film Festival" from France and a 2day Live Event in Eterotopia and WE in the city of Thessaloniki (4th and 5th of October 2023) established the third season as a great success.

Season 4 (2024): Thessaloniki Free Short Festival focuses on Student and Youth Filmmakers from all over the World and Greek Filmmakers. Also, the festival to support in a way issues related to social racism and domestic violence, created the "Special Short Film Category", a category open to all Filmmakers (not only students). Finally, from this year the "Local Short Film" category is established, where it is addressed to Filmmakers (not only students) who shot their short film in the wider area of ​​Thessaloniki.

Categories:

1. Best International Student Short Film (Student ID is required. Short Films from 2022 onwards)
2. Best International Student Animated Short (Student ID is required. Short Films from 2022 onwards)
3. Best International Student Documentary Short (Student ID is required. Short Films from 2022 onwards)
4. Best International Youth Short Film (Short films made by under 18 years old filmmakers. Also school projects made by group of under 18 years old students are accepted. Short films from 2022 onwards)
5. Best International Special Short Film (Open Category for any Filmmaker - not only Student- that their Short Film presents issues about people who experience social racism or domestic violence on a daily basis, such as the lgbtqia+ community, racial segregation, people with disabilities, mental health, bullying, war, immigration, women's "me too" movement etc.. Short Films from 2022 onwards)
6. Best Greek Student Short Film (Student ID is required. Short films from 2022 onwards)
7. Best Greek Short Film (Open Category for any Greek production Short Film (not Student Short Films. Short Films from 2022 onwards)
8. Local Short Film (Short Films that have been shot in the wider area of Thessaloniki - The film should show locations of the wider area of Thessaloniki such as streets, buildings, monuments, etc. Short Films from 2022 onwards)

10 Short Films from International Student Short Film category will be selected as an Official Selection.
10 Short Films from Greek Student Short Film category will be selected as an Official Selection.
6 Short Films from International Student Animated Short category will be selected as an Official Selection.
6 Short Films from International Student Documentary Short category will be selected as an Official Selection.
10 Short Films from Greek Short Film category will be selected as an Official Selection.
8 Short Films from Youth Short Film category will be selected as an Official Selection.
5 Short Films from Special Short Film category will be selected as an Official Selection.
5 Short Films from Local Short Film category will be selected as an Official Selection.

1 Winner in each category

Awards:

Golden Cap - Best International Student Short Film
Golden Cap - Best International Student Animated Short
Golden Cap - Best International Student Documentary Short

Silver Cap - Best Greek Student Short Film

Bronze Cap - Best International Youth Short Film

Golden Balloon - Best Greek Short Film

Silver Balloon - Best Special Short Film

Bronze Balloon - Best Local Short Film

Also there will be Awards for: Best Student Director, Best Youth Director, Best Greek Director, Best Greek Student Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Greek Actor, Best Greek Actress, Best Screenplay

Honorable Mention may be given (Best Cinematography, Best VFX, Best Production Design, etc.)

*ONLY SOME OF THE WINNING SHORT FILMS WILL BE SCREENED ON FESTIVAL'S ANNUAL LIVE EVENT*

Also there will be screenings online (only after the consent of the submitter) from the list of the Official Selected Short Films.

Winners, Nominees and Official Selections would be announced on our Instagram and Facebook page
ig: thessalonikifreeshortfestival
facebook: Thessaloniki Free Short Festival

Laurels will be given to the Official Selected Short Films,
Laurels and Certifications will be given to Winners

You agree that all rights of your film belongs to you.
All films must have English subtitles or be in English.
Short Films from 2022 onwards
Short Films that took part in the 1st, 2d and 3rd edition of the festival can not participate again in the 4th edition.
Up to 3 Short Films for each submitter Director.
Please choose 1 Category.
Student ID for Student categories.
Festival can use photos and trailer of your Short Film for promotional purposes of the festival (social medial etc.).
Υou agree that the festival may screen your short film at its annual live event in public.
Submissions only at FilmFreeway not via email.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Great Festival, had a blast. thank you so much

    October 2023
  • Amazing festival with a wonderful team, encouraging and supporting filmmakers and their films.
    Communication has always been fast and efficient.
    We are very honoured to have participated ❤️

    October 2023
  • Warren Langford

    We travelled from Canada to attend the screening of our short film Frankie and the Doll and it was well worth it! The communication and hospitality on the part of the festival organizers was unmatched. An inspiring grassroots festival with heart and an untainted love of film. Highly recommend!

    October 2023
  • Aris Lechouritis

    Great festival with great people!!

    October 2023
  • Was perfect to be part the festival!

    The comications were clear, i am very happy to be part of the festival this year! Hope to be part again! Cheers

    October 2023