Showcase your film in London, get real audience exposure and connect with fellow filmmakers!

The London Vaporetto Shorts showcases bold, original short films with a strong focus on storytelling, craft, and creative vision.

We offer filmmakers the opportunity to screen their work on a big screen in central London, engage directly with audiences, and connect with fellow filmmakers in an intimate, supportive setting.

🎬 Why submit to London Vaporetto Shorts?

• Live London screenings in a curated festival programme
• Open to both emerging and established filmmakers
• Filmmaker Q&As, pitching exercises and industry panels
• Networking opportunities
• A festival run by filmmakers, for filmmakers

Submit your film and now and join us at the festival in June 2026!

The London Vaporetto Film Festival features the following categories:

• Best UK short;
• Best INTERNATIONAL short;
• Best directing;
• Best original script;
• Best cinematography;
• Best editing;

Prizes for this year's edition are still to be announced, but last year's winner received a £500 value of free kit for their next film!

KEY DATES
Submissions close: 30th of April 2026
Notification date: 10th May 2026
Festival: 6th of June 2026

SUBMISSION PROCESS
Submissions for the London Vaporetto Shorts Film Festival will open on the 29th of June 2025.
The submissions will close at 23:59 GMT on the 30th of April 2026. No films will be accepted after this deadline.
Reviewing and analysing the films submitted to the festival will take time and effort from our team. For that reason, and because we want to provide you with a well organised festival, we charge a symbolic submission fee.

FILM REQUIREMENTS
All films must be narrative fiction films.
Submitted films can be of any part of the world and of any genre and should be no longer than 20 minutes in length (including credits).
Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English.
All images and sounds used in your film must be your own or you must have permission of the copyright holder to use their content in your film.
We do not require any kind of premiere status.

SELECTION PROCESS
All submitted films will be reviewed by the London Vaporetto Film Festival team. We will analyse and choose films based on technical quality, originality and social relevance. Our decision is final.
By submitting your film to the London Vaporetto Film Festival you are giving us the permission to screen your film at screenings during the festival and at preview screenings.
We will notify all submitters, selected or not, by May 10 2026.
The festival reserves the right to use brief clips from the selected films to promote the festival on social-media.

ONCE SELECTED
If selected, our team will be in touch with you so that you can provide us with a high-resolution version of your film, as well as other marketing materials.
You will also receive a free ticket for the festival event.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE FESTIVAL HAPPEN
The London Vaporetto Shorts Film Festival will take place on the 6th of June 2026.
The festival will start with the viewing of all selected films, followed by the award ceremony right after. Once the awards are distributed, all filmmakers will have the opportunity to network between themselves and with the London Vaporetto Shorts Film Festival team. We believe that, more than a film festival, this should be an opportunity for you to network and find the people you will work with next.

WINNERS AND PRIZES
The London Vaporetto Film Festival will have the following categories:
- Best UK short;
- Best INTERNATIONAL short;
- Best directing;
- Best actor;
- Best actress;
- Best original script;
- Best cinematography;
- Best editing;

The festival will aim to have a diverse selection of films, with dramas and comedies in the highlight.

Any matter not described in this regulation shall be left to the consideration of the London Vaporetto Shorts Film Festival directors.

Good luck to all the filmmakers! We look forward to reviewing your films!

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • A truly charming festival run by passionate filmmakers who genuinely care about the craft. The selection is beautifully curated, showcasing bold and thoughtful work. This year’s winning film received a £500 rental prize—which is amazing, especially considering how many festivals don’t offer any awards aside from trophies at all.

    This is my second year at Vaporetto and I can’t recommend this festival enough. Not only is it a space to share your work, but it’s also a place to meet fellow filmmakers, potential collaborators, and genuine friends. One of the best and most rewarding experiences I’ve had on the festival circuit so far. Top!

    July 2025
  • Joe Warner

    A great little festival well worth the entry fee. A really interesting selection of films made for a fun night out. Inspiring to see a festival run by fellow makers in a top cinema in central London.

    July 2025
  • We are deeply honoured to have received an Honourable Mention for our short film. Thank you so much for this recognition.

    July 2024
  • Such a great film festival, made by filmmakers for filmmakers! Was an honour to present my film, Blueprint, and take home awards as well. Keep doing what you're doing!

    June 2024
  • Producers of Marvin the Vampire

    Vaporetto is a charming little festival with amazing people and networking opportunities. We had a blast and can't wait to repeat!

    June 2024