Starlight International Film Festival

At Starlight, we celebrate the art of storytelling and screenwriting from around the globe. Our festival brings together writers and industry professionals to discover and support new talents in the world of cinema.

We believe that everyone has a story to tell and we're committed to providing a platform for filmmakers and writers from all backgrounds and experiences to share their work with the world.

Join us at the SIFF and be a part of shaping the future of storytelling!

Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Student Film
Best Music
Best Original Score
Best Screenplay Short Film
Best Screenplay Student Film

Rules & Terms for submitting to the Starlight International Film Festival:

✓ All films must be submitted in German, English or with German, English subtitles (if in a different language).

✓ All films must have been made in or after December 2022.

✓ Short films must not exceed 30 minutes.

✓ Filmmakers are responsible for sorting out the copyright on their own materials.

✓ By submitting to us, you give us consent and right to screen your film in front of a live audience.

✓ We do not accept partial screeners, trailers, or screener links that require access other than password protected links.

✓ By submitting to us you agree to our terms and conditions and to receiving marketing newsletters and discounts about film festivals in the form of emails. We will never sell your information to third parties.

✓ We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Al Naffah

Doesn't seem like a real festival

May 2026

Helpful
Kenda Singh

Great organisation. A positive team and a fair jury.

April 2025

Helpful
Mia C.

Starlight is a film festival that understands the industry and is a honor to work with on every level. They even take the timé to individually review the entries which is totally unheard of! Very highly recommended and 5 stars for sure!!!

April 2025

Helpful
Dudás Martuska

What a beautiful event! Immensely grateful to the organizers for curating such a remarkable experience! Solid 10/10!

March 2025

Helpful
Ute Ostermann

I regret that I am unable to attend the festival in person as a short film nominee, but I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude. The level of communication, and the value of the networking opportunities you provide are truly exceptional. You’ve made me feel incredibly supported and connected throughout this journey.
Thank you for creating such a professional and inspiring environment—it’s a five-star experience all around! I look forward to continuing to engage with this fantastic community.
With appreciation,
Ute

March 2025

Helpful

Add to List

Dates & Deadlines

July 3, 2025
Opening Date
October 2, 2025
Earlybird Deadline
November 12, 2025
Regular Deadline
December 31, 2025
December Deadline
March 4, 2026
Late Deadline
June 4, 2026
Final Deadline
June 30, 2026
Notification Date
August 4, 2026
Event Date

Categories & Fees

Best Short Film
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Feature Film
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Documentary
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Animation
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Student Film
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Low Budget Film Production (under $5k)
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Director
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best First-Time Director
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Cinematography
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Color Grading
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Actor
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Actress
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Music Video
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Music
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Original Soundtrack
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Screenplay Short Film
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Screenplay Feature Film
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now
Best Screenplay Student Film
- Earlybird Deadline
- Standard: $52.03
- Student: $48.99
- Gold Members: $43.78
- Regular Deadline
- Standard: $54.89
- Student: $50.69
- Gold Members: $45.43
- December Deadline
- Standard: $56.89
- Student: $52.78
- Gold Members: $48.98
- Late Deadline
- Standard: $58.39
- Student: $54.67
- Gold Members: $51.34
- Final Deadline
- Standard: $60.51
- Student: $56.45
- Gold Members: $53.42
Submit Now

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Al Naffah

Kenda Singh

Mia C.

Dudás Martuska

Ute Ostermann