"The Super Bowl of Houston Short Film...." - Critics
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🤞đŸŊ Our commitment to you: We will do everything in our power to provide an in-person festival experience, including live screenings and networking opportunities. However, the format may adapt based on available resources and funding. Regardless of format, every finalist and winner receives full recognition, physical awards, and promotional support.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We're a vibrant film festival that showcases independent storytelling, fosters industry collaboration, and celebrates emerging talent.

Our mission is to Elevate Houston film alongside national and international filmmakers
Our vision is to Establish Houston as the #1 destination to discover talent and produce stories in the world.

Get ready for year 4 of Houston's Short Short Short Film Festival (HS3FF)!

We're open to all filmmakers in HOUSTON and across North America (e.g., Mexico, United States & Canada).

We are also accepting international submissions to recognize international filmmakers in South America (e.g., Mexico, Brazil) and beyond (e.g., UK).

HS3FF provides a unique opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their work to a wider audience and network with other industry professionals and creatives.

The best selected short movies will be awarded prizes. Hallmark traits of the best shorts are they have an engaging storyline, strong characters, and demonstrate technical proficiency especially when it comes to cinematography, score, and story development.

We aim to celebrate the art of short filmmaking and provide a platform for talented filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience.

Submit your film to be considered!

Awards & Prizes

⭐ī¸ Best Plot & Narrative
⭐ī¸ Best Drama & Acting
⭐ī¸ Best Cinematography
⭐ī¸ Best Experimental Short
⭐ī¸ Best Short Short
⭐ī¸ Best Sci-Fi Short
⭐ī¸ Best Action Short
⭐ī¸ Best Short Doc
⭐ī¸ Best Score & Soundtrack
⭐ī¸ Best Multicultural Short
⭐ī¸ Best Social Impact Short
⭐ī¸ Best Leading Actor
⭐ī¸ Best Leading Actress
⭐ī¸ đŸŽĨ💰 Best Short gains opportunity to receive undisclosed investment amount to turn short into a feature length series and Pre-to-Post Production guidance by Guidehouse Production Studios

Rules & Terms

I. Film must be between 90 secs or 30 minutes. The sweet spot for a short is usually between 12-15 mins. Your short film will be disqualified from selection if beyond 30 minutes.

II. All films submitted must be of high quality, color-graded, properly subtitled, dubbed, and able to be shown on the big screen with no blue light effect or a warning of pulsing light if present in the short film.

III. All submitted shorts (North American & International) must include English subtitles/captions.

IV. Early bird deadline is October January. Only 21 of the best shorts will be picked and be in contention for awards.

Vīģŋ. Film must be in the action, documentary, drama, or sci-fi genre. Comedies fall under our drama category.

VI. By submitting your short film, you authorize HS3FF to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills our social media and affiliate communities.

VII. There will be no refunds
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mark Reed

    It was a pleasure being a part of this year's HS3FF and grateful for winning the Best Experimental Short. Looking forward to next year's festival.

    December 2025
    Helpful
  • Christopher Aaron Castro

    First and foremost, the communication with the festival was great. We were given solid information and had fast response times. My biggest gripe is the change from in-person to all online. We weren't told before we applied and the precedent was an in person screening. They said we were the second highest submission rate, so why couldn't we have a in-person screening? I felt this killed any kind of collaboration or discussion since they instead switched to Instagram Live Panels and screening. It makes the value alot lower. Where is the money going? Just my two cents.

    October 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi Christopher,

    Thank you for your honest feedback and for participating in HS3FF. Your care for this festival means everything to us.
    You're absolutely right to expect more.

    The shift to online-only wasn't ideal, we know in-person screenings create the collaboration and community that make festivals matter.

    We moved online this year purely due to budget constraints. The truth is, submission and ticket revenue rarely cover full festival costs (venue, equipment, staffing, awards, insurance). In our 3 years of being around, it never has.

    Every dollar from submissions and ticket sales go directly to festival expenses (e.g., producing award plaques, social media coordinator, shipping, developing promo graphics, ).

    Even this year, with transitioning to fully online, we still didn't net a profit.

    But profit isn't the sole reason for our mission anyway.

    Submission and ticket sales wouldn't have been enough to do in-person the way we wanted to do it this year, especially not after year 2, which was our grandest in-person experience yet.

    With 21 exceptional finalists like yours, we wanted to honor your work properly, not rush a half-measure in-person event.

    Instagram Live wasn't perfect, but it kept us connected. And it left an impression.

    Here's our commitment: We will do everything in our power to bring back the in-person component next year if we're financially able.

    Your feedback helps us fight for that.

    We'll also need more sponsorship to make it happen which requires fundraising. We're ready to receive your help if you're willing.

    Thank you for caring enough to speak up. Filmmakers like you inspire us to keep building something worthy of your work.

    Looking forward to Year 4 together.

    The HS3FF Team

  • Tori Mosser

    I was incredibly honored to have been a part of this festival and win awards. They have incredible hospitality and kindness and I have never felt so special at a film festival. I had such a wonderful time and cannot wait to attend next year.

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Tori, having you at our festival for year 2 is truly our pleasure. You now make up our illustrious group of award-winning filmmakers and star members. Thank you for pouring into our community. We can't wait to see where you go. You're a rising star.

  • Krishna Lyles

    I am so grateful to say that I the project Love +Hate Won Best Best Short at this years inaugural installment. Tim was so kind and communicated the entire time up to the festival. The festival was extremely warm, welcoming and accommodating. My team and I are over the moon excited for the next installment!

    August 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Krishna, Congrats on winning "Best Short" for Year 1! Well deserved! "Love + Hate" was a festival darling and favorite of our judging committee. We can't wait to see what you create next!

  • Brenda Jacoby

    I was very pleased to win the best short documentary, Ukraine's Daughter - Justyna Uschak, at the launch of HS3FF. The staff was exceptional. The other filmmakers were incredibly gracious, and the audience was attentive and generous. I can't wait to see the 2024 films.

    July 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Brenda, we're so grateful to have had you as one of our official selections and award winners. Thank you so much for making our 1st year a moment to remember! ❤ī¸