Each year the San Jose International Short Film Festival delivers what every filmmaker dreams of; incredible image & sound reproduction of their work on the big screen, a receptive audience hungry for cinematic excellence and a supportive staff on hand to make the festival an experience of a lifetime. Combine that with temperate weather (each October) in the heart of Silicon Valley and you have the San Jose International Short Film Festival, now in its 15th amazing year.

Noted as one of the "Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" by MovieMaker Magazine, our goal is simple; deliver the best of WORLD CLASS SHORT FILMS, films from every genre and style with runtimes from 60 seconds, up to 30 minutes in length.

We have an expanded focus on comedy, animation and shorts for kids & family viewers, plus dedicated screenings for adult animation (past films have ranged from CG Pixar-style animation to beautiful hand drawn Miyazaki-style traditional animation). Over 50% of our films hail as International entries and we accept any English-subtitled films in their native languages. Sci-fi has become a mainstay of the festival with brilliant thought-provoking storylines and exceptional visuals, and we have been carving out a niche for music based films (including music videos), showcased for our audiences.

Our audiences have enjoyed our special screenings, after-parties and our incredible Meet the Filmmaker events, where we explore the excellence in filmmaking first-hand with interviews prior to, and after screenings. In addition, each film is presented in 4K projection, (projected via DCP (Digital Cinema Package) with audio encoded with up to 5.1 surround channels.

Join us for over 100 short films, presented over four days October, 2023. Bringing together filmmakers, industry executives, Silicon Valley notables and celebrities, to mix and mingle with visitors and patrons seeking to discover new filmmakers and their talented projects. In 2021 & 2022 we had over 80 filmmakers, actors and crew members in attendance, this year we would love to meet YOU.

We hope to see you October 2023.

Awards & Prizes

Awards include:
Best Short Film
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Sci-fi
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Family
Audience Awards Winner

Rules & Terms

All films must be a minimum of one minute and no longer than 30 minutes, including credits and may cover any genre (note: always looking for more films under 5 min in length). Rough cuts and work-in-progress prints are acceptable as long as the final (completed) film can be delivered prior to June 2023.

Our preferred method for submissions is via online screener, digital streaming via private link or password protected via Vimeo or similar sites.

Final screenings will be via DCP (Digital Cinema Package), please provide a DCP or we can have your film converted to DCP for a nominal fee. Sources can be high resolution DNxHD, ProRes, DPX or other professional formats.

All submission applications, disposable media and press kits submitted become property of EAP Creative, Emerging Artist Productions & the San Jose International Short Film Festival and will not be returned.

Upon acceptance, the San Jose International Short Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize and/or excerpt from any film submitted & accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional and marketing purposes. This will include the use of the filmmaker's name, likeness & publicity stills, film or video footage, title, logline and synopsis of materials, in pre & post-competition publicity & promotional efforts.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless San Jose International Short Film Festival, Emerging Artist Productions, EAP Creative, their officers and employees from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

In addition, said films may also be used in Road Show or Showcase exhibitions or other events and venues associated with SJSFF including the Yountville International Short Film Festival and other Best Of screening events.
68 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Regina Pigsley

    My film has gotten into 35 festivals and this festival is in the top 3! The caliber of films is very high, and it is very well attended by both filmmakers and community locals (many screenings were completely full!). The festival is in a real theater (super comfy reclining seats!), with a great sound system. It has great networking events for filmmakers (wine tasting, karaoke night, etc), and a filmmaker lounge. The festival directors and volunteers do an incredible job at making the weekend memorable.

    February 2023
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  • Nicholas Luciano

    If you have a short you're taking on a festival run -- submit to this fest! We had a fantastic time screening our comedy short. The programmers and festival directors put a lot of time and thought into each shorts block. There were several networking events and mixers for the filmmakers to meet each other and each program I attended had a packed house. I'd submit to this festival again without hesitation and encourage other filmmakers to do the same.

    November 2022
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  • Perry de Loor

    This is truly one of the most amazing festivals I've been with. A great selection of films, categorized in originally and creatively titled and organized screening blocks, a superb cinema, great networking events, amazing organizers and some fantastic catering. Thank you Bill and Sinohui for this amazing event. This is a must go-to if you are selected. It's that amazing. You'll have more fun and see more amazing movies than you can imagine.

    October 2022
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  • Dylan Boom

    What an awesome film festival! I only came to the festival for a few days but the energy was great, people were very excited to share the mutual love of film. Bill is also great, he's so supportive and energetic about all the filmmakers. Oh and we won best of fest! That was cool too.

    October 2022
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  • Phil Dunn

    Excellent festival with a very strong selection indeed - world class shorts is no overstatement. Blown away therefore that our film THE STUPID BOY won Best Drama, as there were so many insanely good shorts to choose from and we felt honoured enough just to be there. Very high quality (and big!) screenings as well, in extremely comfortable lazy boy seating. Met some great filmmakers too. Altogether thoroughly worth attending - huge thanks to Sinohui, Bill, Marcella and the rest of the team

    October 2022
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