Selected by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for 2026!

Welcome to the McMinnville Short Film Festival. Short Films. Oregon Wine Country! Please join us in 2027 for our 16th Anniversary celebrating independent film!

Recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of "20 Great Film Festivals in Vacation Destinations," the McMinnville Short Film Festival (MSFF) is a true filmmaker’s film festival. We invite filmmakers from around the world to come together and spend a few days getting to know one another at our friendly networking mixers and professional industry led panels. Our goal is to help filmmakers widen their filmmaker community. By the end of the festival we hope filmmakers leave feeling inspired with new creative friends and future collaborators. Additionally, our screenings are routinely shown in front of sold out audiences and therefore filmmakers will receive the theatrical experience of a live audience response.

Our team carefully considers every submission and we strive to identify independent voices and original storytellers. Please note, we do not often program proof of concept, music videos or episodic shorts. Once selected, the films are reviewed by our noteworthy film industry professionals and Academy affiliated judges to determine category winners and awards.

"I've always encouraged filmmakers to make shorts. It's a great way to gain visibility and create a calling card for Hollywood to recognize new talent. It is a pleasure to watch so many high quality shorts at the McMinnville Short Film Festival." -2026 Grand Jury Judge, Peter Billingsley (Executive Producer, Iron Man, A Christmas Story, Couples Retreat, The Breakup.)

The MSFF hosts a critical component to the Oregon arts community by connecting local filmmakers with their counterparts from around the world, and by providing a venue for culturally diverse screenings, events, and gatherings.

The 2026 MSFF showcased over 94 short films and 4 screenplay finalists from over 15 countries including 14 world premieres, 2 USA premieres, 27 PNW premieres and 23 Oregon premieres.

"The MSFF is a little gem of a festival. I was incredibly impressed with the team's warmth and hospitality, as well as their tight organization. The setting is picturesque and quaint, nestled in Oregon's wine country. The programming is thoughtful and well curated. These people really care about filmmakers and their films. This short film festival should be on every filmmaker's radar."
-Ellie Foumbi, DGA, WGA, SAG-AFTRA (Our Father The Devil)
25 New Faces of Independent Film, Mind the Gap Creation Award Recipient

All selected films receive:
-Two all access passes which include all filmmaker events and screenings along with discounted lodging to attend the Festival. All of our filmmaker events are fully catered with open wine bar to showcase our AVA and award winning Willamette Valley wines.

In an effort to raise visibility for under represented voices in film we offer the following waivers:

LGBTQ+: Directors identifying as LGBTQ+ please use waiver code LGBTQMAC27 for 25% off submission fee.

BIPOC: Directors identifying as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous of People of Color) please use BIPOCMAC27 for 25% off submission fee.

Yamhill County Filmmakers - please email films@mcminnvillefilmfest.org with proof of county residency to receive a FREE submission waiver

All Native American filmmakers - submission fee is waived in the Native American category. Please note: Native American films must originate in North America to be eligible. Submitting from another region of the world under the Native American category will result in immediate disqualification.

We look forward to watching your work and celebrating independent filmmakers with you! Questions? Email: films@mcminnvillefilmfest.org.

Awards & Prizes

Each Official Selection will receive digital laurels. Each Nominee and Winner will receive additional digital laurels and a certificate and trophy (cash prizes noted below.)

Grand Jury Award - $1000 prize

Best Short Screenplay - One on one consultation with Jonathan Raymond
(Top three screenplay finalists receive coverage notes from Jonathan Raymond)

Best Oregon Filmmaker - $2000 digital camera package courtesy of festival partner KOERNER CAMERA - the Pacific Northwest's premiere digital camera house

Founders Award - $500 Awarded to Outstanding Female Filmmaker
(Director, Writer, DP, Editor, and/or Producer are all eligible)

Will Vinton Award for Best Animated Short Film

Best Environmental Film (Sponsor: Zero Waste McMinnville) - $250 prize

Best Locals Film - Yamhill County Residents only (Sponsor: AAYC) - $250 prize

Best Experimental / A Bit Strange

Best Documentary

Best Drama

Best Comedy

Best Suspense/Horror/Sci-fi

Best Native American - Shawash Ilihi Award - presented in partnership with The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

Rules & Terms

Short films in selected genres, maximum 20 minutes in length. If selected, WE REQUIRE A DCP OF YOUR FILM.

Entrants will be notified of their submission’s selection status on or about January 1st, 2027. Foreign language films must be subtitled in English.

Submission to the 2027 McMinnville Short Film Festival constitutes an agreement with all festival terms and conditions, and permission to exhibit the work during the festival if selected. Entrants warrant that they have the legal right to submit the work to MSFF, that all statements made in this application are true and accurate, and that all necessary rights and clearances have been secured to exhibit the work at the festival.

MSFF DOES NOT provide screening fees or honorariums for submitted work — or for any film screening as part of the festival’s juried competition.

MSFF may deny acceptance of any film at its sole discretion. ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.

Any costs necessary to deliver the exhibition file to MSFF in the required format, or for any necessary subtitling, is the sole responsibility of the entrant.

All accepted films grant MSFF and their designated agents’ permission to utilize clips, trailers, and images from the film for MSFF and McMinnville Short Film Festival promotional content. The entrant agrees to notify MSFF if or when they may lose ownership of the clips, trailers, and images and no longer be able to grant said permission.

If the submission becomes an "Official Selection" and/or wins a prize, MSFF requests that this be noted on promotional materials. Festival laurels are available to all Official Selections and Award winners.

Although every possible care will be taken with exhibition material in our possession, MSFF is not responsible for loss or damage. Please do not send originals, special prints or master tapes.
128 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Kent Rodricks

    Wonderful festival that really cares about filmmakers! Smooth viewings, cool parties, great shorts - my directors really loved attending and said they also loved the extra learning events for filmmakers. They said, on top of it McMinnville is an adorable town that's really fun to visit. Great festival!

    March 2026
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  • Daniel Lopez

    Among the very best festivals I've attended. The MSFF team is communicative and organized. They host tons of filmmaker-focused events, allowing for plenty of opportunities to meet talented artists. Heather and her team really know how to make filmmakers feel welcomed and appreciated - which can be hard to find.

    The programming is excellent. The selection of films range from niche indie arthouse to expertly crafted dramas. The talent on display always impresses me.

    Wine country certainly knows how to host a festival! McMinnville is a hidden gem - be prepared for lots of fun and plenty of drinks. Was absolutely worth attending.

    March 2026
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  • Next Door Pictures

    I can't say enough nice things about this festival. It was head-to-toe an outstanding experience. The organizers were kind and thoughtful hosts, the networking environments felt so warm and easy to make friends in. A terrific experience, I can't wait to go back.

    March 2026
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  • Dawn Jones Redstone

    Don't sleep on McMinnville! This is a sweet festival that puts filmmakes first and bonus: it's in Oregon wine country. Had a lovely experience.

    March 2026
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  • Chad Mathews

    The McMinnville Short Film Festival was the perfect place to host our world premiere. The staff was welcoming and attentive, the audiences were engaged and generous, and the town itself created an unforgettable atmosphere for the weekend. Getting to experience the beauty of McMinnville and its surrounding area was an added bonus. This festival is overflowing with heart, passion, and genuine love for filmmakers and their work.

    March 2026
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