The Festival in the center of the Swiss Alps!

Annually we bring our selection of inspirational, thought-provoking, engaging and enlightening short films to our audience at one of the most picturesque locations in Switzerland. Meet Filmmakers from all around the world high above Lake Lucerne, watch their unique creations and in-between enjoy a drink, good food and great company while enjoying the view of the surrounding mountains.

Categories open for 2019 Edition:

SIGNATURE GEM - Short Fiction - Jury Selection & Screening
You have developed that unique and original filmmaking style that expresses your nature and your work can be defined as inspirational, thought-provoking, engaging or enlightening. Or you have made your first short that just turned out to have that peculiar feature that makes your talent standing out among the plurality of filmmakers!

TANDEM GEM - Music Video - Jury Selection & Screening
You know how to combine music with video and send the audience on an emotional roller-coaster!

GLOBETROTTER GEM - Travel Video - Jury Selection & Screening
You’re heading to that absolutely magnificent destination on the other side of the globe or a special happening just an hour drive away from your home, or maybe you just want to tell about a cultural event in your hometown?
Vibrant India, paradise Bali, impressive Alps, frozen Oymyakon, loving Paris, wild Safari, crazy Carnival, magic drive or any other fascinating place or happening from around the world - share your experience with us!

Our Categories SIGNATURE GEM, TANDEM GEM and GLOBETROTTER GEM will get the official selection award as well as an audience award.

Short fiction – “Signature Gem”

Awards: Official Selection, Audience Award
Entry Fees: 10-20 USD - 5 USD vouchers available for subsequent submissions
Year of Completion: Any

Eligibility
• Short fiction film

Video Requirements
Video Length: Up to 15 minutes
Video Quality: HD or better
Video Aspect Ratio: Free
Video Format: Quicktime mov or mpg4 container
Video Languages accepted: Any
Video Captions/Subtitles: English required for any language other than English

In addition, you’re obligated to follow our general submission rules.

Music Video – “Tandem Gem”

Awards: Official Selection, Audience Award
Entry Fees: 10-20 USD - 5 USD vouchers available for subsequent submissions
Year of Completion: Any

Eligibility
• Music Videos

Video Requirements
Video Length: Up to 7 minutes
Video Quality: HD or better
Video Aspect Ratio: Free
Video Format: Quicktime mov or mpg4 container
Video Languages accepted: Any
Video Captions/Subtitles: Not required

In addition, you’re obligated to follow our general submission rules.

Travel Video – “GLOBETROTTER GEM”

Awards Official Selection, Audience Award
Entry Fees: 10-20 USD - 5 USD vouchers available for subsequent submissions
Year of Completion: Any

Eligibility
• Short travel film

Video Requirements
Video Length: Up to 15 minutes
Video Quality: HD or better
Video Aspect Ratio: Free
Video Format: Quicktime mov or mpg4 container
Video Languages accepted: Any
Video Captions/Subtitles: English required for any language other than English

In addition, you’re obligated to follow our general submission rules.

Short fiction – “Signature Gem” (Switzerland)

Awards: Official Selection, Audience Award
Entry Fees: 1 USD
Year of Completion: Any

Eligibility
• Short fiction film
• One of either Film Director, Film Producer or Lead Actor should be a citizen of Switzerland, or the film was a student project in one of Swiss Film Schools

Video Requirements
Video Length: Up to 15 minutes
Video Quality: HD or better
Video Aspect Ratio: Free
Video Format: Quicktime mov or mpg4 container
Video Languages accepted: Any
Video Captions/Subtitles: English required for any language other than English

In addition, you’re obligated to follow our general submission rules.

Web Series– “Supernova Gem”

Awards: Official Selection, Audience Award 
Entry Fees: 20 USD - 5 USD vouchers available for subsequent submissions 
Year of Completion: Any

Eligibility 
• Short film

Video Requirements 

Video Length: Up to 15 minutes 
Video Quality: HD or better 
Video Aspect Ratio: Free 
Video Format: Quicktime mov or mpg4 container 
Video Languages accepted: Any 
Video Captions/Subtitles: English required for any language other than English

In addition, you’re obligated to follow our general submission rules.

Short fiction – “Big Heart Gem”

Awards: Official Selection, Audience Award 
Entry Fees: 1 USD
Year of Completion: 2018-19

Eligibility 
• Short documentary
• The main character should say the words: “The BEST SECONDS of my life….” and describe how they imagine this moment, when they get what they need.

Video Requirements 

Video Length: Up to 10 minutes 
Video Quality: HD or better 
Video Aspect Ratio: Free 
Video Format: Quicktime mov or mpg4 container 
Video Languages accepted: Any 
Video Captions/Subtitles: English required for any language other than English

In addition, you’re obligated to follow our general submission rules.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • This is a very lovely film festival and I would highly recommend it to every film maker . It was a great pleasure to have submitted to this festival and a huge thank you for inviting us. My apologies we couldn't make it at that point. Will hope to get selected and visit you lovely people soon. Ksenia and Jan keep inspiring millions. May God bless you.

    November 2018
  • Congratulations on the festival, it´s was really nice and well oganinized. I'm a new filmmaker and it was was first official selection by an international film festival. Also, really good job talking and dealing with all the competitors. Thank you for the opportunity to tell the world a story that was so important to me. I'm eager to participate on the next editions of the festival

    July 2018
  • Fran Pérez

    This is a nice festival! Congrats

    June 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Fran, It was a pleasure to have your films among our online selection and congrats to you that they made it to the screening event!

  • Pierre Guersing

    Jan and Ksenia directly made us feel at home. Stunning location, great networking and I was honored to be part of it, seeing the quality of the films shown at Best Seconds. Deftly a festival to look at closely!

    June 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much Pierre for the review and for coming to our Festival to tell our Audience more about your film. It was a great pleasure and honour to have you with us.

  • very creative festival thanks for the opportunity great communication over all great experience. will submit again 100%

    June 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Hey Jack, it was great to have your film among our online selection and congrats that it made it to our screening. A pity we weren't able to run the other categories but thank you very much for your efforts!