Known as one of the world's leading online film festivals, Top Shorts is among the highest-rated festivals on FilmFreeway, with more than 500 five-star reviews. It was ranked the #1 online film festival and #8 overall among more than 4,000 festivals worldwide (FilmFreeway, May 2016). Top Shorts has also been recognized by Motion Array as one of the best short film festivals for emerging filmmakers.

We celebrate excellence in filmmaking across a wide range of categories, including Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Indie, Inspirational, Experimental, Music Video, Web/TV Series, AI Film, Student Film, Acting, Screenwriting, and many more.

Top Shorts features both monthly and annual competitions:

MONTHLY COMPETITION

Each month, our jury selects award winners through private screenings. In addition, 15 finalists are nominated for the Film of the Month award. Selected monthly winners qualify for our annual competition.

IMDb: Top Shorts is an IMDb-accredited festival, allowing winners to add eligible awards to their IMDb titles.

Certificate: All winners receive a complimentary digital certificate, ready for printing.

ANNUAL FILM AWARDS

Once a year, our judging panel selects the Best Films of the Year from the season's winners.

Please note: We do not screen full films online.

For questions or assistance, contact us at info.topshorts@gmail.com

Awards & Prizes

--- CATEGORY AWARDS (monthly) ---

Best Student Film
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Thriller
Best Crime Film
Best Romantic Comedy
Best Dark Comedy
Best Mystery Film
Best Parody
Best Western
Best Fantasy Film
Best Film Noir
Best Musical/Dance Film
Best Sci-Fi
Best LGBTQ
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Micro Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Indie Film (budget up to $5000)
Best Web Series
Best Music Video
Best Experimental Film
Best Trailer
Best Commercial/Promotional Video
Best Screenplay
Best Original Story

--- CAST & CREW AWARDS (monthly) ---

Best Director
Best Indie Filmmaker (film's budget up to $5000)
Best First Time Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Actor in an Indie Film (budget up to $5000)
Best Actress in an Indie Film (budget up to $5000)
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Young Actor (13-18)
Best Young Actress (13-18)
Best Child Actor (5-12)
Best Child Actress (5-12)
Best Ensemble
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Sound Design
Best Visual Effects
Young Filmmaker Award (18 and under)

* The Best of Fest and Best Director ANNUAL WINNERS will receive free Top Shorts statuettes. Other winners may order a statuette for themselves and their team, for $299 including shipping.

** All winners will receive a print-ready digital certificate (in JPG/PDF).

Rules & Terms

* What we’re looking for? Story-based films, which can be in the form of narrative (fiction), music video, documentary (non-fiction), or animation.
* All films must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English)
* By submitting your film, take note that:
- You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/screenshots) for promotional purpose. We upload some of the winners' trailers in order to promote the films.
- You must own all the rights to the video.
- Fees are not refundable.
- We will review up to 40 minutes/pages, even if your film/screenplay is longer (excluding the Television Script category - up to 50 pages).

Top Shorts does not accept the following:
1. Amateur videos
2. Extremist or propaganda content from/about religious or political organizations
3. Films which were made before 2010
4. Political films
5. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution less than 720p HD)
6. Films that depict or include any cruelty to animals.

Top Shorts is a FilmFreeway Gold festival, a member of the Filmmakers Connect community and Magic Productions Int & Her Scores brand. Top Shorts is a partner festival of LA Film Awards, Festigious, Actors Awards, NY Film Awards and FCA Awards.
645 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Paul Zappa

    We are over the moon about yet another fantastic experience with Top Shorts. Great communication, quality competition and recognition we deeply value. Many thanks and hoping they keep going strong.

    June 2026
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  • Alex Hramakouski

    Top Shorts provided a great experience throughout the submission process. Communication was fast and professional, and the team was very supportive. We are honored that “Shadow of the Fighter” received Best Narrative Film, Best Cinematography, and Best Actress. Thank you for recognizing independent filmmakers and creating opportunities for emerging projects. We look forward to submitting future work.

    June 2026
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  • Zeng Hua

    Friendly team leader, response my email in good manner

    June 2026
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  • Koko VanDernoot

    We are incredibly honored that Finding Hope was awarded Best Young Filmmakers at the Top Shorts Film Festival.

    As young filmmakers, this recognition means so much to us. Finding Hope tells the story of Tommy's Place and the extraordinary families impacted by childhood cancer who find comfort, joy, and hope there.

    We also want to sincerely thank the team at Top Shorts Film Festival. From the moment we submitted, the communication, professionalism, and encouragement we received were exceptional. It is clear how much care and support they provide to independent and emerging filmmakers, and we are incredibly grateful to have been part of the festival.

    Thank you to the festival judges and team for believing in our film and for helping us share this story with a wider audience.

    May 2026
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  • Lofty Sky Entertainment

    We've had a great experience with Top Shorts and we're really grateful to the festival for selecting Sky of Tides: Atla as a finalist for "Best Web TV/Pilot"!

    May 2026
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