Weird Short Films strives to showcase the most original shorts on our official @WeirdShortFilms YouTube channel and at The Vino Theater, Brooklyn, on April 18th.

Genres we Accept: Horror, B-Horror, psychological thrillers, dark comedies, plus animation and music videos that fit the vibe.

Submit your film. Enter a challenge. Submit more than one. Get weird, scary, and hilariously dark. Our mission is to uplift genre filmmakers of all levels.

Our films are designed to enhance the cannabis-friendly experience through striking visuals, thoughtful sound design, and bold creative choices. You don’t need to feature cannabis in your film, it’s more about creating a mind-expanding connection for audiences who love genre cinema.

You have the option to have your film play in our live event April 18th and/or on our YouTube channel.

Films showcased on the @WeirdShortFilms YouTube channel, benefit from the collective traffic of all featured films and their audiences, and on our website's "Watch" page with your film poster featured, giving your work lasting visibility. Every selection contributes to the visibility of all films in the festival, creating a rising tide that lifts every filmmaker. *However, we understand some filmmakers may not want their film to be showcased on a YouTube channel and only want a chance to play in our live screening — we offer that option as well.

Some of these films will also be invited to the Brooklyn screening, where filmmakers will be interviewed and celebrated in front of an audience. Both are wins: YouTube provides long-term visibility, while the theater screening offers an in-person spotlight.

The Live Event 21+
Two curated screening blocks.
A themed dress-up party (costumes encouraged, not required).
Networking and visibility for your work.

Film Challenges
Ongoing challenges help filmmakers create unforgettable shorts that boost IMDb profiles and grow our collective library of weird. Film challenge deadlines lock in your entry fee — not your finished film. You have until March 1st to send us your completed film challenge, but the sooner you finish, the sooner we can feature and promote it on our YouTube channel.

Founded by filmmaker Christopher Wells, Weird Short Films was built from a love of unconventional storytelling and a need for a supportive space where indie creators, whether low-budget or seasoned pros can share, collaborate, and get noticed.

Awards & Prizes

Best Psychological Thriller — For the film that delivers the most suspense, tension, and mind-bending storytelling.

Best Use of Challenge — For the film that best interprets and executes the challenge prompt.

Best DIY Film — For creativity and ingenuity in low-budget or homemade filmmaking.

Best Script — For excellence in writing, dialogue, and narrative structure.

Best WTF — For the film that surprises, shocks, or leaves audiences questioning reality.

Best Comedy — For the film that delivers the strongest laughs or dark humor.

Best Horror — For the scariest, most atmospheric, or most unsettling short.

Best B-Horror — For films that embrace camp, fun gore, and over-the-top horror charm.

Best Kill — For the most memorable, inventive, or shocking on-screen demise.

Best 420 Vibe / Most Elevated Experience — For the film that best enhances a cannabis-friendly viewing experience through tone, creativity, or immersion.

Rules & Terms

Submission Rules

1. Runtime & Eligibility
Short Film (2–10 min) – YouTube + Theatrical: Filmmakers who want their film online and in live screenings.
Short Film (2–10 min) – Theatrical Only: Filmmakers who prefer their film for live screenings only, not on YouTube.
Short Film (11–40 min): YouTube only
Music Video (2–20 min): Over 10 min not considered for theatrical
Weird Short Films Challenge (5–8 min): Placeholder submissions allowed (see Rule #12)

All films are intended to enhance a cannabis-friendly viewing experience, though cannabis does not need to appear on-screen. No AI-generated films accepted.

2. Format & Language
Submit via downloadable Vimeo link or FilmFreeway screener
Films must be in English or include English subtitles
Films must be at least 1920x1080 (HD). Smartphone footage is accepted if shot in landscape.
Test all media before submitting; corrupted or unplayable files will not be considered

3. Rights & Ownership
You must hold all necessary rights, including music and visuals
No third-party copyrighted material without permission
AI-generated videos, scripts, treatments, or written works are not accepted.

4. YouTube Exclusivity
General submissions: May appear on other platforms but not YouTube at submission/acceptance.
Film Challenges: Must premiere exclusively on @WeirdShortFilms YouTube for 6 months.
Each challenge entry (place holder/incomplete project) requires a separate fee.

5. Resubmissions
General submissions may be resubmitted if significantly revised (new fee applies).
Challenge entries cannot be revised or resubmitted.

6. Review & Selection
Selection is based on creativity, originality, technical quality, and alignment with Weird Short Films.
Challenge entries must follow the prompt and be produced during the challenge window.
All decisions are final; no feedback is provided.

7. Promotion & Use
Accepted films may be used for promotional purposes, including stills, clips, summaries, and a poster you provide for your film.
Films may appear on our YouTube channel, website (including the Watch page), and social media.

8. Notifications
Filmmakers will be notified via email before their film goes live. If your film is selected for a YouTube premiere, you may receive your premiere date before the official notification date so you can help promote your short and drive views.

9. Removal
Filmmakers may request removal from the @WeirdShortFilms channel six (6) months after April 18th.

10. Challenge Awards
Awards are determined solely by the Weird Short Films team. No feedback will be provided.

11. Refunds
No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

12. How to Submit to Weird Short Films Challenges

1) Create Your Project on FilmFreeway
Go to your FilmFreeway dashboard and click “Add a Project.”
Enter the specific film challenge as your project title and add the director and writer’s name.
You can leave the screener/video upload blank if your film is unfinished — this serves as a placeholder.

2) Submit as a Placeholder
Once your project is created, click “Submit Now” and choose Weird Short Films Festival.
Pay the applicable fee (Early Bird, Regular, or Late Deadline).
This locks in your submission and pricing, even without a completed film.

3) Finish Your Film
Complete your film according to the challenge rules.
The sooner you upload your final film and update your placeholder, the sooner it can be scheduled for a YouTube premiere.
Each filmmaker will be notified on or before the official notification date with their premiere date so you can help promote your short and maximize views.

4) Update Your Project with the Final Film
Go back to your project page in FilmFreeway.
Upload your finished film to the Screener section via a downloadable Vimeo link.
Fill in any missing details (cast, crew, synopsis, etc.) and save your changes.

5) We Receive the Updated Version Automatically
You do not need to resubmit or pay again.
Once updated, your project appears in our submissions dashboard. We’ll review your final film after the deadline closes.

Important Notes
Your fee is tied to your submission date, not your film’s completion date.
Each film challenge requires a separate project submission and fee. For example, submitting three placeholders for three challenges requires three separate entry fees.
Film Challenges must be 5–8 minutes in length.
Be sure your final film is uploaded by the final deadline to be considered.
2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Graceann Dorse

    A little festival with a lot of heart!! It's their first year, so yeah, it was a little small, but they are very mighty and care a lot about both the art and the logistics of filmmaking. And I have to say, the films were all amazing!! Like, better than what you see at much larger festivals. Maybe because the films are "weird", the level of filmmaking was better in the sense that there were very strong, original viewpoints. But also from a technical standpoint, there were a lot of very well made films that looked great.

    On the logistics side, everyone was very communicative and supportive. I can only imagine with a little bit more resources and notoriety, this festival will really blossom! I hope to make another weird film to submit again!

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Gordon Phillips

    Christopher and his team were great from beginning to end! The selection of films was incredibly original - no fillers or snoozers here - so I was incredibly excited to be included among them! And even more stoked to take home a win for Best Psychological Thriller!

    April 2026
    Helpful