CALLING ONE CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS TO JOIN US FOR THE NATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, A UNIQUE FILM FEST WHERE FILMMAKERS COMPETE FOR THE CROWN OF BEST SHORT FILM!

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\\ THE NATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL \\

The National Short Film Festival is a daring and different type of film event — we’re a film competition. Every year, hundreds of filmmakers from the United States and around the world accept the challenge and share their talent and films with us to compete in the ultimate short film showdown. Think of us as a mashup of March Madness and your favorite local film festival.

Currently, in its fourth season, the National Short Film Festival competition was originally called the Capitol Hill Film Festival and is now held in two stages: a Virtual Showdown and the Finals held in front of a live audience, where one film is crowned the ultimate winner. Additionally, our Jury of industry insiders presents the festival’s Best Picture and Best Director.

\\ OUR PURPOSE \\

We celebrate short films and new media worldwide. The National Short Film Festival is based in our nation's capital- Washington, D.C. and our slogan is “A, B, C, D, E, F--” because our mission is “About Building Community, Developing and Exhibiting Filmmakers and Films.”

Our competition is unique in the industry. A festival attracting both powerhouse companies as well as talented new filmmakers. Currently, in its fourth year, the festival is a live film competition, with a virtual component, that strives to give talented directors, producers, actors, new media creators their teams a unique venue to show their work and receive the positive exposure they deserve. It discovers and honors the achievements of filmmakers who produce high-quality shorts.

\\ HOW IT WORKS \\

Think of the National Short Film Festival as three small virtual film competitions throughout the year: The First Round, The Second Round, the Semi-Finals, and a live audience Finals that celebrates the best in the competition.

First, every film submitted is reviewed by our competition screeners who then upload the films into our virtual platform and promote them online.

Then twice a year we launch a virtual festival, in July and again in December, over Vimeo’s OTT service to the festival's patrons and they vote for their favorites. Each virtual edition will yield six films as winners which will go head to head in our Semi-Final Competition for a total of twelve films.

Finally, after a winner has been chosen from each category we host an in-person celebration of these six films called the Finals. The Finals is an event usually held at the historic Miracle Theater here in Washington, D.C. At the screening, our jury composed of industry leaders crown one short as the Best Picture, and the Best Director, whereas our live audience votes for the festival's Audience Award.

\\ WHAT KIND OF SHORTS? \\

This competition is an excellent venue for films, documentaries, new and experimental media, and animation. As long as the entry is 23 minutes or less, and made in the past two years, it is eligible for submission.

\\ SUBMISSIONS \\

Submissions cost $40 ($30 for Gold Members), exclusively on FilmFreeway.

FIRST ROUND - submissions open January 1 and close June 1.

FIRST ROUND VIRTUAL EDITION - Starts July 20th

SECOND ROUND - submissions open June 1 and close November 1.

SECOND ROUND VIRTUAL EDITION - Starts November 20th

FINALS VIRTUAL EDITION - Starts February 2022. Due to COVID and the Omicron variant, we have made the decision to hold this year's film festival virtually. Please be safe out there.

\\ WHAT CATEGORY IS MY FILM? \\

The onerous is on you to self-identify what bracket you associate your film with. Use your geographic region you associate with. We rely on the Honor System.

\\ HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL \\

Founded in 2018 as the Capitol Hill Film Festival, our festival due to the power of filmmakers and professionals that it draws has always responded to our times and our community's needs. Seeing a clear need for a different type of film festival to celebrate filmmakers we created our unique March Madness-like approach. We are a community film competition in Washington D.C. and the only bracket style short film festival in the nation! We have five-star reviews from our sponsors, filmmakers, festival-goers, and film lovers. Last year our third iteration had over 300 competing filmmakers, over 15 community business sponsors, and a nearly sold-out audience.

\\ BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING \\

VIRTUAL SCREENINGS - Premiere your film to our extensive virtual audience.

LIVE FINAL SCREENING - Premiere your film in the Nation's capital.

PROMOTIONAL LAURELS – Receive graphics to give promotional material for that wow factor!

PEER REVIEW – Our judges are filmmakers who understand the craft and what audiences want.

PUBLICITY ENHANCEMENT – Winners are announced to industry professionals, press, and additional international media outlets.

PRESS RELEASE - We provide a fill-in-the-blanks press release to help you promote your win. We've done the heavy lifting - just fill it in and send to media outlets of your choice!

SOCIAL MEDIA PUSH – Facebook and Twitter announcements of winners and updates from our filmmaking community can be shared with your own lists.

AND SO MUCH MORE...

\\ JUDGING AND AWARD LEVELS \\

It's important for us to ensure that entertainment industry leaders with a significant footprint in both DC and Hollywood are present as judges— so we've partnered with trade association leaders (MPAA and RIAA) film production and distribution company representation (Sony Pictures and Showtime) as well as media personalities (Mark McKinnon and Louise Linton) are key for us. We also feel it is vital to have an award-winner from festivals, and a top-flight journalist who covers politics and DC arts, culture, and the social scene.

Awards: Bestowed by Judges: Best Picture and Best Director. Bestowed by Audience: Favorite in each category: North, South, East, West, International, and Local DMV.

\\ Notification:

Each submission received will be confirmed by FilmFreeway and the National Short Film Festival administrative offices via electronic mail.

After judging is completed, winners in all categories will be notified of their advancement to the finals and are provided additional information such as links to winner’s laurels etc.
Winning films are also announced by social media and a press release is sent to five international media distribution outlets.

\\ Rules & Eligibility

1. Entries MUST BE 23 MINUTES OR LESS.

2. Submissions in other than English must be subtitled.

3. Multiple entries are not allowed.

4. Online screeners are mandatory. If you choose not to upload your project to FilmFreeway’s site, please provide an online link to your submission and be sure to include the password in an email correspondence sent directly to the National Short Film Festival.

5. The National Short Film Festival does not download submissions or accept Dropbox submissions. Please only send links to your media hosted on 3rd party servers such as Vimeo or YouTube.

6. Written comments describing entries are beneficial.

7. DVD entries will not be accepted nor returned.

8. If selected, filmmakers must sign releases to have their film screened at the Festival.

9. National Short Film Film Festival may request a downloadable copy (.Mov, .MP4, or other format) to use for exhibition and Filmmaker agrees to comply.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Great Film festival! Loved it!

    November 2022
  • Great experience for first timers

    July 2022
  • M RIZ

    It was an honor to be a part of NSFF. Highly recommended platform / network. I thank the entire management and all team members of NSFF.

    June 2022
  • ANDREA MOREY

    Se are so proud for be part of this amazing Festival,
    See you soon with news projects!

    May 2022
  • Chris Oledude

    From Christopher R. Owens, President, CESO Enterprises, Inc. crowens@cesony.com:

    On behalf of CESO ENTERPRISES, INC., Alyssa Dann, Chris Oledude, and all of our production participants, I would like to compliment the organizers and operators of National Short Film Festival. When we created our first music video (which was long enough to be a short film), we knew nothing about film festivals. With the help of FilmFreeway, we started researching. The categories were good. Everyone who contacted us on behalf of this festival was helpful. The submissions looked excellent.

    It was indeed exciting to discover this new world and to be so warmly welcomed by the inhabitants! To have GEORGE FLOYD: SAY THEIR NAMES selected for inclusion was an honor in and of itself.

    We were happy to “get the word out” and continue motivating people worldwide to consider the injustices embedded within our nation’s criminal justice system. After all, situations where a powerful segment of the population uses its law enforcement apparatus to abuse and oppress other segments of the population are recognizable in and common too many societies.
    We recommend submitting your work and we certainly intend to participate again in the future.

    Peace and stay safe!

    May 2022