Scope Screenings is Seattle’s premier underground short film festival and cultural experience. We spotlight bold, original short-form storytelling, including narrative shorts, music videos, local/national commercials, and experimental work, all under 20 minutes and presented on the big screen in front of a live audience.

Founded in 2021, now in Season 5, our format is intentionally different. Instead of compressing everything into a single week, Scope Screenings runs as a monthly series from June through December, with a dedicated Opening Night in June and a residency at LANGSTON from July through December. Each film receives real space, real energy, and real attention.

Our events consistently draw 300-plus attendees per show, bringing together filmmakers, producers, actors, musicians, athletes, elected officials, and cultural leaders in one room. Past seasons have featured Grammy-nominated artists, Emmy Award-winning collaborators, and partnerships with SIFF at the historic SIFF Egyptian Theatre, Majestic Bay Theatres, and the Northwest African American Museum. We were also curatorial partners of the Seattle Black Film Festival.

Every screening begins with a curated networking hour designed to foster genuine collaboration. This is not a passive viewing experience. It is a room full of creatives who build, hire, cast, collaborate, and create together.

Why submit?
• Your film screens in front of an engaged, culture-forward audience
• You receive intentional curation, not overcrowded programming
• You gain access to a growing creative ecosystem in Seattle
• You become part of a platform built for filmmakers, by filmmakers

Scope Screenings is more than a festival. It is a third space for artists. A pipeline from screening to opportunity. A community that shows up.

About Our Programming

Scope Screenings prioritizes bold storytelling from underrepresented communities, including Black, Brown, and Tan filmmakers, LGBTQIA+ creators, and other historically marginalized voices. We are committed to building a platform that reflects the full diversity of our city and beyond while maintaining high artistic and technical standards.

All submitted films must be 20 minutes or less, including credits. Filmmakers must own all rights and secure necessary clearances. Subtitles are required for non-English dialogue.

Opening Night: June 30th
Monthly Residency: Last Tuesday of every month, July through December
Location: LANGSTON
Eligible Projects: Narrative shorts, music videos, commercials, and short-form content under 20 minutes

Awards & Prizes

Season 5 introduces official competitive awards at Scope Screenings, formalizing our commitment to recognizing excellence in short-form filmmaking.

All selected films are eligible for awards consideration. Winners are determined by an independent jury of filmmakers and industry professionals. Jury decisions are final.

Competitive Categories:

• Best Live Action Short — Cash Prize
• Best Documentary Short — Cash Prize
• Best Animated Short — Cash Prize
• Best Music Video — Cash Prize
• Audience Choice Award

Awards are judged on storytelling, direction, craft, originality, and cultural impact.
Winners receive an official Scope Screenings laurel, a custom trophy presented at the Awards Show, and featured recognition across our platforms.

The season culminates in December with our first annual Awards Show, featuring a curated “Best of the Year” rewind screening, formal award presentations, and special programming celebrating the filmmakers who defined the season.

Rules & Terms

Thank you for submitting to Scope Screenings Season 5.

Scope Screenings is a competitive monthly short-film series running from June through December in Seattle, with screenings held at LANGSTON. Selected films are exhibited theatrically before a live audience.

Submission fees are non-refundable.

Eligibility
All films must be 20 minutes or less. Eligible categories include Live Action Short, Documentary Short, Animated Short, and Music Video. We also accecpt Commercials, Skits, Feature-length Trailers and other experimental short-form content. Non-English language films must include English subtitles.

Entrants must own or control all rights necessary to submit and exhibit the work, including music, talent, and underlying rights. By submitting, you confirm all required permissions and clearances have been secured.

Selection & Exhibition
Selections are made based on artistic merit, technical quality, originality, and alignment with the festival’s curatorial vision.

If selected, filmmakers grant Scope Screenings the right to exhibit the film during the festival season and to use excerpts, stills, titles, and promotional materials for marketing, press, and archival purposes.

Once officially selected and confirmed, films may not be withdrawn from the program.

Filmmakers are responsible for delivering an exhibition-ready screening file that meets the festival’s technical specifications by the stated deadline. Scope Screenings is not responsible for issues resulting from improperly formatted or corrupted files.

Awards
All officially selected films are eligible for awards consideration.

Competitive Categories:
• Best Live Action Short — Cash Prize
• Best Documentary Short — Cash Prize
• Best Animated Short — Cash Prize
• Best Music Video — Cash Prize
• Audience Choice Award

Juried awards are determined by an independent panel of industry professionals. Jury decisions are final. Scope Screenings reserves the right not to present an award in a category if submissions do not meet the standard of excellence.

Liability & Legal
By submitting, entrants agree to indemnify and hold harmless Scope Screenings, its staff, venues, and partners from any claims, damages, liabilities, or legal disputes arising from the exhibition of the submitted work.

Scope Screenings is not liable for technical failures, projection issues, or circumstances beyond its control that may affect exhibition.

The festival reserves the right to modify dates, venue, format, or programming as necessary.

The festival may photograph and record portions of the event for promotional and archival purposes.

By submitting, entrants agree to all terms and conditions outlined above.
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Chris Carthern

    Scope Screenings is one of the most unique film festivals I have attended. It is a festival highlighting truly independent creatives with no limits to their creative control. Scope Screenings helps deliver that rawness a lot of festivals are missing and encourages networking and really connecting with the community.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Chris, thank you for the thoughtful words and for being part of the Scope Screenings community. Our goal has always been to create a space where truly independent voices can share their work freely and connect with others who care about storytelling. It means a lot to hear that the spirit of the festival and the community around it resonated with you. Hope to see you again at SZN 5!!!

  • Vee Hua

    Scope Screenings endeavors to create space for diverse creators to be seen and network, and they really do do that. They prioritize giving everyone the chance to speak after showing their projects and are authentically trying to do something new for the local community. The crowd they pull in is also audibly supportive, which is always nice as a filmmaker :)

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Vee, thank you for this and for being part of the Scope Screenings community. It means a lot to hear that the intention behind the festival came through. Creating space for filmmakers to not only show their work but also speak about it, connect, and feel supported by the room is really important to us. We’re grateful you shared your work with us and hope to see you back at another screening soon.

  • Kasandra Price

    Scope Screenings is a truly artist-centered festival that uplifts both emerging and established creators. It shines a spotlight on powerful, high-quality films, particularly highlighting voices and stories from the Washington area. The festival fosters a welcoming, collaborative environment where networking feels natural and authentic, and the energy among artists is inspiring. The organizers are warm, supportive, and deeply invested in showcasing creative talent, and the submission process is seamless and well-run. Overall, it’s a festival that genuinely cares about filmmakers and their work. 10/10 highly recommend.

    January 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Kassandra, we really appreciate you taking the time to share this. Creating a welcoming and artist-centered space is at the heart of what Scope Screenings is about, so it means a lot to hear that reflected in your experience. We’re grateful for filmmakers and supporters like you who bring such great energy to the room. Looking forward to continuing to spotlight incredible work together.