About the Festival

KO:SH Film Fest brings together filmmakers from all over the world to the vibrant city of Korça, a place where cinema, creativity, and culture meet.
Over several days, directors, producers, and storytellers gather to present their films, exchange ideas, and collaborate on future projects.
Screenings are held at Majestic Cinema, the oldest cinema in Albania, a venue that carries the charm of history and the spirit of contemporary film culture.

Beyond the Competition

KO:SH is more than just a film competition. It is a space for discovery, dialogue, and inspiration. Alongside the main program, the festival offers a variety of events that enrich the experience for both guests and visitors.

Industry Day

A full day dedicated to networking and professional exchange. Filmmakers, festival directors, distributors, and producers meet to discuss new trends, partnerships, and opportunities within the film industry.

Country in Focus

Each year, KO:SH highlights one or two countries through a dedicated Focus Program. Selected short films from these regions are screened, followed by Q&A sessions and discussions that explore their cinematic voices and perspectives.

Kids Program

One of the most joyful parts of the festival, the Kids Program invites children aged 7 and up to discover the magic of animation.
Through hands-on workshops, young participants learn how to create their own short animated film.
Last year, two instructors from Le FAR / Espace d’éducation à l’image (Clermont-Ferrand) led the workshop in Korça, guiding about 60 children who together produced a charming 3-minute animation in just three days.

Masterclasses & Workshops

Renowned filmmakers and artists lead masterclasses and creative workshops throughout the festival.
From script development and acting on film to music in cinema, these sessions offer young filmmakers a chance to deepen their craft and gain new perspectives.

VR Experience

KO:SH proudly launched Albania’s first-ever VR Competition, introducing audiences to immersive storytelling through virtual reality.
The program quickly became one of the festival’s highlights, especially among younger viewers, and will continue to expand in future editions.

KO:SH Film Fest on Tour

Before and after the main event, KO:SH hits the road with its traveling cinema program, KO:SH Film Fest on Tour.
This year, the tour visited seven cities across Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, bringing award-winning short films to new audiences.
It is our way of extending the festival’s spirit beyond Korça, connecting people, stories, and cultures through the universal language of film.

- Best Fiction
- Best Documentary
- Best Animation
- Best National Short Film
- Best Student Fiction
- Best Student Documentary
- Best Student Animation
- Best VR Film
- Best AI Short Film
- Female Voice Award
- Audience Award

Korca Short Film Festival – Terms and Conditions

General Provisions

KO:SH Film Fest is an international short film festival held in Korça, Albania, organized by FIRST STEP ASSOCIATION and D’ART PRODUCTION.

Program

The festival program includes both competitive and non-competitive sections:

Fiction

Documentary

Animation

Student Fiction

Student Documentary

Student Animation

Experimental Competition

AI Competition

VR Competition

Kids (Non-Competitive)

Conditions for Submission

Films for the competition programs may be submitted by directors, producers, distributors, or national film authorities entitled and authorized to represent and submit films.

Premiere Status: At least Albanian Premiere
Genres: Fiction, Documentary, Animation,
Running Time: 1–25 minutes
Production Year: After January 1, 2025
Subtitles: English subtitles must be embedded (burned in)

Films that have been submitted to KO:SH Film Fest in previous years are not eligible.

Entry Deadlines

The extended deadline is June 15, 2026, but filmmakers are encouraged to submit their films as early as possible.

KO:SH Film Fest reserves the right to invite films made outside the specified deadlines.
All films must be submitted online via the FilmFreeway platform.

Selection and Screenings

The Festival Director / Head Programmer selects the films for the official competition and official program, and determines the screening schedule.

The Festival Director also appoints selectors for other special and focus programs.

The number of films in each section will depend on the running time of the individual films.
Each selected film will be screened no more than twice during KO:SH Film Fest.
If a film receives an award, it may be screened up to three additional times along with other award-winning films.
All films will be screened with English and Albanian subtitles.

Submitters of selected films must inform KO:SH Film Fest of any screenings or broadcast dates in Albania scheduled before the end of Korca Short Film Festival.
If any such screening or broadcast occurs before the festival concludes, the film may be disqualified and excluded from the official program.

For promotional purposes, KO:SH Film Fest may also screen award-winning or officially selected films during KO:SH Film Fest on Tour.

Awards

Official awards of KO:SH Film Fest include:

- Best Fiction
- Best Documentary
- Best Animation
- Best National Short Film
- Best Student Fiction
- Best Student Documentary
- Best Student Animation
- Best VR Film
- Best AI Short Film
- Female Voice Award
- Audience Award

Promotional Use and Materials

KO:SH Film Fest reserves the right to publish a trailer or use excerpts from the film—up to three minutes in duration—for promotional purposes.

If screening materials or required documents are not delivered by the specified deadline, KO:SH Film Fest reserves the right to exclude the film from the official program.

Accommodation and Accreditations

Subject to the availability of funds, KO:SH Film Fest may invite the director or a representative of a selected film and cover their travel and accommodation expenses.

Organizers

KO:SH Film Fest is organized by FIRST STEP ASSOCIATION, a non-profit NGO, in collaboration with D’ART PRODUCTION.

First Step Association
Rr. Shyqeri Berxolli
P.18/2, Sh3, Ap.24
1001, Tirana, Albania