San Francisco Short Film Festival

The San Francisco International Festival of Short Films was launched in 2006. Since then SF Shorts has showcased incredible engaging independent films that are quick to make a statement, tell a story or express an idea.

Recently this festival merged with the 28 year old San Francisco IndieFest, combining SF Shorts' curatorial vision with SF IndieFest's festival presentation expertise.

This combined event now presents one week of the the best short films from around the world at an historic San Francisco art house theater.

About SF IndieFest: For 28 years SF IndieFest has presented the best new independent films from around the world live in theater to thousands of San Francisco film fans. SF Shorts is now our annual program of all short films: short shorts, long shorts, cool shorts, comedy shorts, weird shorts, music shorts, documentary shorts, experimental shorts, genre shorts, student shorts.

Not only do we love shorts programs, but our long standing loyal audience in San Francisco REALLY loves shorts. The shorts programs at SF IndieFest, SF DocFest and Another Hole in the Head are consistently some of our best attended programs so now this festival showcases a solid week of the best short films we can find.

PLUS the best rated film in the festival, as decided by the audience, will win a $500 cash prize.

SF Shorts Film Fest is frequently listed in FilmFreeway's Top 100. Please check out our filmmaker reviews!

SF IndieFest is a founding member of the FILM FESTIVAL ALLIANCE.

COMMENTS FROM ATTENDING FILMMAKERS:

"Thank you again for including "The Literary Work of Imaginary Poets" in your festival! It was a dream come true to have our film played in my favorite city, San Francisco. The festival was so fun to attend and be a part of. It will definitely be on my radar for the future! "- Taylor B, 2025

"Thanks so much for such a memorable evening of animation at your SF Shorts Fest. It meant so much for my film to premiere in SF, at the Roxie, and in front of such an enthusiastic audience. I won't forget the experience.
Thanks for including me in the program!" -Gus D, 2023

"I wanted to thank you for extending yourself in order to have my short make it to the big screen. Watching it Sunday night was uniquely special. Lex, Minnie and Carl were so welcoming and receptive. You couldn't ask for for better team. Much kudos to you, and all for fostering an exceptional experience." - Paul C, 2023

"Thank you for hosting the SF Indie Shorts! My brother and I had a great time." - Jeff L, 2023

"Thank you so much for the beautiful screening of our film at the Roxie. It was such an honor and a dream come true!" - Jaklyn, 2023

"The SF IndieFest team has put together a fabulous festival! They're well organized, always responsive to inquires, and provided timely communications. Jeff and Jason have also been so open and welcome to us filmmakers. During my interactions with them, I can get the extensive experience they have with curating films and running a large scale festival like this one, which included a parallel online virtual fest that has pre-recorded Q&A. The festival also add to San Francisco's lore as an indie film festival hotspot. Well done! I'll look forward to attending and submitting to future years!" - Sal A, 2024