"X World Short Film Festival" is an IMDb-qualifying Festival.

THIS FESTIVAL WILL HAVE A LIVE EVENT WITH SCREENINGS, MEETINGS AND AWARDS CELEBRATION, WITH REAL HUMAN CONNECTIONS AND HUGS!
It will take place on October 10, 2026, at the beautiful Hotel dei Congressi, in Rome.

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"X World Short Film Festival" is a SELF-SUSTAINED INDEPENDENT Festival for Independent Filmmakers from all over the World, who dare to eXpress their fantasy, creativity and peculiar ideas through Short Films, Scripts, Music and Dance.

If your creation produces one or more of the following reactions (in alphabetical order):
"Ahahahahah!!"
"Awww!!"
"Cool!!"
"Incredible!!"
"This is crazy!!"
"Wait! What??!!"
“Yes!!”
...and if you think that it will make the audience feel amazed-excited-thrilled-amused-moved, then this Festival is for you!

“X World” is about fascinating stories, inspiring messages, fun intrigues, new themes, unusual points of view, mysteries! As long as IN TUNE WITH GOOD VIBES… (PLEASE, READ THE RULES).

Our purpose is to find, showcase, promote, honor and recognize such kinds of interesting works, made with Love and passion for the Art of eXpression, no matter the budget or technical resources.
And to create a Community that will cooperate to build a new, free and clean Film Industry.

The Festival has been created by an Independent Filmmaker who knows, understands, Loves the world of Independent Filmmaking and knows how it feels like to have one's own work showcased and appreciated!

Every submitted Project is watched, listened, read by the Judges with maximum attention and dedication, more than once, to fully evaluate every aspect of it.

You can find more information on the Website:
www.welcometoxworld.com

PLEASE, BEFORE SUBMITTING, READ CAREFULLY "RULES & TERMS" AND "AWARD & PRIZES" SECTIONS!

ALSO, VERY IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE AND READ E-MAILS, MESSAGES AND NOTES FROM FilmFreeway AND FROM xworldfilmfestival@gmail.com, THROUGH WHICH THE FESTIVAL WILL SEND YOU NOTIFICATIONS, SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION AND UPDATES.

Awards & Prizes

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

All selected Projects will have a Welcome Post on the Festival's Social Media, will be listed on the Festival's Website and will receive the Official Selection Laurels.

They will also receive discount codes offered by some Partner Festivals.

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SEMI-FINALISTS

The selected Projects will receive the Semi-Finalist Laurels and are eligible to become Finalists.
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FINALISTS - NOMINEES

The Finalist Projects will receive the Finalist Laurels and are eligible to receive one or more Awards or Honorable Mentions.
Around two weeks before the Live Event, they will receive a Nomination (or more) in the appropriate genre and category. (Genres and categories will reflect the amount and variety of the submitted Projects).

THE FINALISTS/NOMINEES FILMS WILL BE SCREENED AT THE LIVE EVENT.

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AWARD WINNERS

The Winners will be announced at the Award Ceremony.

Particular hand-made Awards will be given to Winners attending the event.*

All Awards Winners and Honorable Mentions will receive the Winner Laurels, digital and printable Certificates and two 50% discount codes for the next Festival Edition (on request).

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IMDb

"X World Short Film Festival" is an IMDb-qualifying Festival, you can list your Nominations and Winnings on the Event Page: https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0013470/overview

OUR PARTNERS IPITCH TV, INKTIP AND SCREENREADER WILL OFFER INTERESTING PRIZES! (the details are on the Website: www.welcometoxworld.com)

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* If you are a Winner (at any Festival Editions) who couldn't attend the Live Event and Awards Celebration and you would like to have one of our peculiar hand-made Trophies, you can have it, paying a small amount plus the shipping fees (for more info write to xworldfilmfestival@gmail.com).

Rules & Terms

ATTENTION! WE LOVE ALTERNATIVE AND UNCONVENTIONAL THEMES AND IDEAS, BUT GROSSNESS, HARD SEX, VIOLENCE, CRUELTY AND "DARK IDEOLOGIES" ARE UNWELCOME! ALSO, NO POLITICS AND PROPAGANDA.
PROJECTS THAT DON'T FOLLOW THESE RULES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!
X WORLD IS ALIGNED WITH THE TRUE LIGHT AND WITH GOOD VIBES.

Please don't ask to submit for free. The submission fees are the only means to help to support all the necessary expenses, that are significant, especially in a Festival with a real Live Event in a real place!
Occasionally, you can find discount codes on the Festival's Social Media.

Also, being an Independent Festival, self-sustained, the "X World Short Film Festival" Organization can't pay for travel and accommodations for Filmmakers attending from all over the World.
However, you will find advice on where to go with agreed prices on the Website page:
www.welcometoxworld.com/XWWhereToGo.html

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THE PROJECTS MUST BE ORIGINAL AND THE SUBMITTER HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO OWN THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF EVERY ASPECT OF THE WORK OR TO HAVE PERMISSION TO USE IT. THE FESTIVAL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE.

Entering your Project, you give the Festival permission to use poster, trailer, little clips and photos to promote You and the Festival on the Website and Social Media.

Works must have been realized after 2015.
Being a Festival with an International audience, all Films need English subtitles.
Scripts must be in English.

Please make sure that your Project page on FilmFreeway is complete with Poster, Trailer, description and all the information needed.

AGAIN: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE AND READ E-MAILS, MESSAGES AND NOTES FROM FilmFreeway AND FROM xworldfilmfestival@gmail.com, THROUGH WHICH THE FESTIVAL WILL SEND YOU NOTIFICATIONS, SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION AND UPDATES

If your Film becomes a Finalist, it will be screened at the Live Event and you will receive all the information about the file format and compression rate needed for an optimal screening.
IF THE FILE SENT DOESN'T MATCH THE REQUESTED FEATURES, THE FESTIVAL IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SCREENING PROBLEMS.
Also, there will be deadlines to send the screening files and to communicate your presence at the Event. It's important to respect these dates to allow an optimal organization of the Live Event.

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CATEGORIES
One-Minute Short - All genres - up to 1 minute long.
Micro Short - All genres - up to 5 minutes long.
Short Short - All genres - 5 to 15 minutes long.
Short - All genres - 15 to 30 minutes long.
Short Series - All genres pilot or single episode - up to 15 minutes long.
Mid-Short Series - All genres pilot or single episode - 15 to 30 minutes long.
Short Documentary - All genres - up to 15 minutes long.
Mid-Short Documentary - All genres - 15 to 30 minutes long.
Trailer - All genres - up to 5 minutes long.
Original Soundtrack - Up to 10 minutes long.
Original Song - Up to 5 minutes long.
Music Video - Video with original music or song - up to 5 minutes long.
Dance Video - Video, with original music and choreography - up to 5 minutes long.
Choreography - Original choreography with original music - up to 5 minutes long.
Direction
Cinematography
Editing
Performance
Actress/Actor, Musician, Dancer Performance (solo or ensemble).
Poster
Micro Short Script - Up to 5 pages long.
Short Short Script - 6 to 25 pages long.
Short Script - 26 to 50 pages long.

Note about the Film categories:
Each Film will compete only in the entered categories, however, there might be special recognition for outstanding aspects of the Project.
When submitting to Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Actress/Actor Performance, Music, or Dance Performance (solo or ensemble), please specify the Artists' names in the Cover Letter.
96 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Barry STAFF

    Thanks so much for the Official Selection of my short script 'Hard Top' and Nomination of my unproduced micro short 'Turned Out Nice'. Communication from 'AleX' was top class. Here's to a more central location for the awards next year!

    July 2025
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  • Ysabelle Taylor

    I have submitted to more film festivals over the last 4 years than I care to remember and I can honestly say that X World stands out. What sets this festival apart is the dedication and generosity of its organiser and director Alessandra Guarino. Communication is timely and clear, and AleX always answers any queries promptly despite all the time she puts into the organisation of the festival, including the certificates and the beautiful personally made trophies for each winner. She posts a lot of photographs of the event afterwards on the website, making a warm memory for those in attendance, and a feeling of inclusion for those who were not able to attend. It is also reassurance that finalist films were actually screened. With a whole day of screenings there is space for many films to be shown. And where better than Rome to attend a live screening! I was able to attend the event last year, and it was a very memorable and warm experience. Sadly, I could not attend this year, but was thrilled to win an award. Kind AleX arranged for the trophy to be sent to me at my request. If I only ever submit to one festival again; it will be this one!

    June 2025
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  • Paolo Brozzi

    Grazie per la bella avventura, tanta qualità ma soprattutto passione e amore per il cinema.
    Grazie.
    Paolo Brozzi

    May 2025
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  • Nejla Yatkin

    I’m truly honored to have received the Special Award for Outstanding Multi-Talented Filmmaker and Performer at the X World Short Film Festival in Rome. Although I couldn’t attend in person, I deeply wish I had—what an incredible opportunity it would have been to watch all the other inspiring films and connect with the talented artists and dedicated festival organizers. Thank you for recognizing my work and for creating such a vibrant platform that celebrates creativity across the globe. I hope to join you in person in the future!

    May 2025
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  • Vivyen Bastajyan

    Dear X World Short Film Festival Team,

    Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your inspiring event. It was a pleasure to engage with such a creative and passionate community. The organization was smooth, and the communication from your team was clear and supportive throughout the process.

    I truly appreciated the platform you provided for independent voices and short-form storytelling. It’s clear that your festival is committed to promoting original, thought-provoking work.

    Wishing you continued success with future editions!

    May 2025
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