Are you passionate about seeing more women and non-binary folks behind the camera? Join us for our annual The Reel Champions Shorts Fest and support the industry’s up-and-coming creatives who are too often overlooked!

TRC Shorts Fest showcases films created by women and non-binary folks to celebrate their unique voices and create more platforms for creatives of marginalized genders. We aim to provide a unique opportunity for filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience and network with likeminded industry professionals who are dedicated to achieving gender parity in entertainment. Submit your film today to be considered!

Films selected for the live event will screen in Fall 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. Directors are encouraged to attend the event to participate in a live Q&A following the screening. The weekend will also include educational panels and ample networking opportunities.

The Reel Champions (TRC), is a robust 501(c)(3) organization operating under the umbrella of Cinematography for Actors Institute. Run by a board of entertainment industry professionals, TRC is dedicated to helping women and non-binary filmmakers achieve the recognition and jobs they deserve. In conjunction, TRC mentors future decision-makers to enable positive change in the hiring, depiction, and representation of minority genders and people of color. What began as a small weekly screening in our founder’s living room has since grown into a vibrant community featuring a biweekly newsletter, monthly panels, screenings, and networking mixers, as well as the NEXT GEN: Executive Diversity Mentorship Program.

Awards & Prizes

For the 2026 event, mentors from The Reel Champion’s NEXT GEN Executive Diversity Mentorship Program will serve as jurors and select the top films in each category. Films that are programmed but not chosen for an award will be considered "Official Selections."

These films MUST be directed by a woman or non-binary person:

Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Horror/Experimental
Best Documentary
Best Student Short - Any Genre
Best Director

These films can be directed by someone of any identity, but MUST have a woman or non-binary person in the allotted role (DP, writer, Editor, Production Designer, Sound Designer):

Best Cinematography
Best Script
Best Editing
Best Production Design
Best Sound Design

Rules & Terms

RULES & TERMS

DIRECTOR/CREW HEAD REQUIREMENTS
- Films submitting to Genre-related prizes MUST be directed by a female-identifying or non-binary person.
- Films submitting to department head prizes MUST have a female-identifying or non-binary person in the allotted role (DP, writer, Editor, Production Designer, Sound Designer).
- Directors and department heads are highly encouraged to attend the fest in person to participate in the live Q&A after the screening. If they cannot attend, there will be an option to record a video to be played during the Q&A.
- Selected films will be required to provide a DCP file for screening purposes, as well as a poster file, director’s headshot, director’s bio, still, and logline for marketing purposes. Trailers are encouraged but not required.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Films must be between 1 minute and 25 minutes in length (including credits).
- There are no restrictions in terms of completion date, premiere status, or online release.
- Films submitted to the “Student Film” category must have been completed while attending a graduate or undergraduate program.
- Submission fees are non-refundable.
- The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Films including unauthorized copyrighted material are ineligible.
- Films not in English must be subtitled in English unless dialogue is minimal and not necessary for the comprehension of the Film.
- Films submitted by mail or email will not be considered.
- If the submitted film link does not play, the password does not work, or the film is otherwise not viewable, TRC reserves the right to disqualify the film without refunding the submission fees. It is the responsibility of the person submitting the film to update any changed passwords or links. Providing a backup online preview link (Vimeo, YouTube) of the film on the submission application is preferred but not required.

SELECTION AND AWARD PROCESS
- Official selections will be notified by email and announced on our website and social media. Our decision is final and no feedback will be provided on non-selected films.
- Awards will be announced at the live event and afterwards on social media and our website. Winners will receive prizes and a laurel.
- Any film chosen to screen is considered an “Official Selection" and will receive a Laurel from our team.
- TRC reserves the right not to award any or all categories.

LIVE EVENT TERMS
- The live screening is a ticketed event. Project entry fee on FilmFreeway does not constitute a ticket to the live event, only entry in the festival competition. As directors and department heads are encouraged to attend the live Q&A, they will receive a complimentary event ticket.
- We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms.
- By Submitting, you grant The Reel Champions Shorts Fest permission to screen your film publicly during the festival and use excerpts or stills for promotion.
5 Reviews
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  • Kamaria Williams

    I absolutely loved this film festival. I highly recommend!

    April 2026
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  • Maritza Cruz

    Amazing experience at TRC Shorts Fest 2025! They really care about their filmmakers, and I was super impressed with how organized everything was and the communication was great. We even took home the prize for Best Student Short. If you're thinking about submitting, run don't walk.

    November 2025
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  • Daniela Kafshi

    Fantastic experience! The showcase was full of amazing filmmakers, the panels were super informative and The Reel Champions and Cinematography for Actors staff were incredibly kind and present. Loved every second of it! If you are a female or non-binary filmmaker, don’t hesitate: submit. Did I mention the prizes???

    November 2025
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  • Nicole Mairose Dizon

    Thank you to the TRC Shorts Fest team for selecting RUYA for their first year! Though I couldn't attend, Sydney, the President, found a way to ensure I was a part of the event through a video Q&A and blog spotlight. She was communicative every step of the way. TRC promoted the filmmakers and films on social media. I could tell the event was a fantastic opportunity for community building. I'm excited to submit to future iterations. Thank you again!

    November 2025
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  • Abby Tozer

    I had the absolute BEST time at this event. Even though it was their first year, TRC is an incredible festival-- and I've been to tons. They curated such high quality films for both blocks and I met so many talented filmmakers I intend to develop relationships with. I even won a prize for best experimental film-- and they have sponsors that gave me actual prizes! So cool. Will absolutely submit again.

    November 2025
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