The ATX Short Film Showcase is Austin's monthly film festival. Every second Monday of the month, we curate 8 local short films, followed by a Q&A session with the filmmakers.

Our event also provides terrific networking opportunities for local filmmakers before, during, and after the show. We're a great way to discover other talented artists (both in front of and behind the camera) to collaborate with on future projects! We pride ourselves on our monthly turnout - we regularly pack our venue with 140-180 local film lovers for each screening.

The ATX Short Film Showcase is dedicated to spotlighting the best filmmakers in the Lone Star State - artists with passion and grit, who don't need a big budget to tell a story worthy of the silver screen.

We typically screen narrative shorts, but documentary shorts, music videos, and webisodes/TV pilots are also accepted. Occasionally, we'll program according to a specific theme such as our Horror showcase around Halloween.

Our goal is to provide a platform for Texas filmmakers to screen their work in front of a live audience, receive valuable feedback, and network with their peers.

If your short is selected you will be featured on our social media pages and receive two filmmaker badges when you arrive at our event - good for free entry.

At the end of each showcase, the audience will vote for their top 3 favorite films of the night and a best of show will be named.

Winners of the audience choice award each month will be eligible to screen at our annual "Best of the Year" showcase in August to compete for a $500 prize and recognition as "The Best Short Film in Texas."

Submission Guidelines:

-Films do not have to have been shot in Texas, but they MUST involve a local filmmaker who can attend the event.

-Films may not exceed 25 minutes in length, though exceptions can be made in extraordinary circumstances.

-Filmmakers whose work is accepted must have someone integral to the film's production attend the event and participate in a Q&A.

-Films older than 5 years (made prior to January 2018) are not eligible.

-All films must be in English or have English subtitles.

-​We typically screen narrative shorts, but documentary shorts, music videos, trailers, and webisodes are also accepted as long as they do not exceed our time limit.

-We don't require any kind of premiere status, nor do we restrict films that are already online.​

-Please note that submission does not guarantee acceptance. If your film is not accepted, it unfortunately does not mean just for the upcoming month. It is a hard no. Alternatively, if you have not heard back regarding acceptance for over a month, it could be that we are holding your film for a later month.

-Submission fees are non-refundable. All films will be considered fairly. If a submitter failed to read the guidelines and is disqualified, even if they caught their error before we did, submission fees cannot be refunded because FilmFreeway does not refund their share.

-By submitting your film you acknowledge and agree that you have read, understood and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Eligibility requirements. To the best of your knowledge, all of the statements in your submission are true. Your film or video is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. You are duly authorized to submit this film to the festival. You hold ATX Short Film Showcase harmless from any damage to the print(s) or media materials(s) en route or otherwise during the course of the festival’s possession of the film. You hold ATX Short Film Showcase, its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from your entry. You certify that you have full rights to all aspects, including the use of the music, in the entered work. You understand that submission fee payments are non-refundable. You understand submission fees are for consideration, not acceptance. You give permission for ATX Short Film Showcase to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the short for promotional purposes. You give permission for ATX Short Film Showcase to download your submission file for private programming purposes before any status notification. You give permission for ATX Short Film Showcase to screen the film at our monthly event and potentially again for the annual "Best of" event.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The ATX Short Film Showcase is hands down one of the best festivals for Texas creatives. This was my second time going to a showcase but my first with a short playing. Justin and his team highlight all different genres and scales of shorts, ranging from student level to high budget professional shorts. As a filmmaker, I felt I was met with open arms from the festival. The venue, host, festival team, and audience all help provide a celebration of Texas filmmakers on a monthly basis. I can't recommend ATX Short Film Showcase enough!

    March 2024
  • Charles Featherston

    My favorite festival I've been to yet! Can't wait to go back, I'm telling all my friends to submit here!

    February 2024
  • Carlos Diaz

    Had a wonderful time! Great host, great films, surrounded by amazing like minded storytellers. Great festival full of energy! It was an honor to share the screen with such amazing films. Also it was loud, but I mean cinema loud as it should be.

    January 2024
  • Absurdjunk Productions

    I really love this festival. Even before having a work of ours showcased, we've been fans. It is a supportive and welcoming beacon of the Austin indie film industry.

    January 2024
  • The ATX Short Film Showcase was full of enthusiastic filmmakers with incredible talent! Each of the eight films were super engaging and creative. Can't wait to be back for more!

    December 2023