The Short. Sweet. Film Fest. is a short film only film festival created by actual filmmakers. We found it challenging to showcase our own short films at film festivals who mainly program around feature films. In the age of streaming there are more opportunities than ever before to share your work, but we often asked ourselves, "do we really want to premiere our short film alongside silly kitten videos?" Even though we love kittens (who doesn’t?), we love short films more and want to present them in the professional setting they deserve.

After a successful first year in NYC (15 in Cleveland) we are back! We are looking for short, sweet, original, and unique films that would often soar under the radar of most festivals. Our staff are looking for the best short films locally, nationally, and internationally. So, send them our way!

Students should submit to the short student film category to receive a significant discount off the submission fee.

Our festival will take place at Spicy Moon at Bowery in Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York.

Awards & Prizes

Films will be juried by a panel of judges. All selections are eligible to win best, outstanding, or honorable mention in their respective categories. These awards will be announced at the end of each program.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES
• Productions made after January 1, 2019 may be submitted.
• Do not submit works in progress.
• Do not submit industrial or instructional works.
• All films submitted must be available in .mp4 format for presentation. No exceptions.
• All films will be transferred temporarily onto a hard drive system for presentation.
• All entries must be submitted by Sunday, August 16, 2026. (Early submission discounts apply until June 14th – see fee schedule.)
• Flash or Memory sticks submitted will NOT be returned.
• Films selected for the Short. Sweet. Film Fest. will be announced no later than Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.
• Video files for presentation must arrive no later than Tuesday, September 8th, 2026.
• By submitting your film to our festival you agree that, if selected, our qualified staff will review your film and upon their judgement add appropriate trigger and or content warnings on our website along with your film's description. Additionally you agree that, if necessary, an epilepsy warning will both accompany the description of your film on our website and precede the screening of your film during our festival. If you have questions about this policy please reach out to us prior to submitting your film.

The Short. Sweet. Film Fest is dedicated to the cultivation of the best possible film and community for every individual involved in the creation of the incredible media we showcase as well as for the audiences we host. For this reason, we feel it is important for us to make clear this position: The Short. Sweet. Film Fest does not support nor condone the use of Artificial intelligence in any form or at any point of the filmmaking process and makes the important distinction separating artificial intelligence from computer-generated imagery (CGI). AI is a tool used only by the uncreative to steal from those compelled to create. There is not now nor will there ever be a place for AI at our festival, or, we hope, our industry at large. We will never knowingly show any project that utilized AI, and, if we come to find that a project we have selected has used AI, it will be immediately removed. We love our filmmakers and we will always strive to protect their art. Sincerely, SSFF Team.
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  • Lindsay O'Keefe

    The Short. Sweet. Film Fest has been one of my favorite film festivals for so many years! The staff is absolutely incredible and supportive. Every film is in such great hands. Michael Suglio cares deeply about every filmmaker and creates such a wonderful and inspiring atmosphere. This is the first time the festival has expanded to NYC, and I can't wait to see it continue to grow. You will not regret submitting to this festival!

    October 2025
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  • Peam Patrathiranond

    The organizers were genuinely passionate about our films and wanted the best for all of us! This was the first time they organized it in NYC so it wasn't the smoothest, eg. I wish we had time in between the two screening blocks. Also saw a lot of really high-quality films.

    September 2025
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