From Quarantine Creativity to GENiUS: A Showcase for Bold Filmmakers

The DaVinci International Film Festival's GENiUS program has evolved! Originally launched in 2020 as "COVIDaVINCI," a response to the unique challenges of quarantine filmmaking, GENiUS is now a thriving platform for ultra-short films.

Unleash Your Creative Spark

GENIUS welcomes all genres – narrative, animation, documentary, music video – anything you can imagine, within a tight and strict 5-minute timeframe. It's a chance to push boundaries, explore innovative storytelling, and showcase your bold vision.

Affordable Access, Global Exposure!

For a nominal fee, you can submit your film to GENIUS and gain valuable exposure. Official Selections will be screened both online and live at AMC Theaters, The Grove in Los Angeles, reaching audiences worldwide. Online viewers can vote for the Audience Award and Best of Fest.

Join a Thriving Community

Over the past few years, GENIUS has attracted thousands of entries and hundreds of incredible projects. Become part of this vibrant community of filmmakers and share your creative genius with the world!

Awards & Prizes

- Selection laurel from GENiUS / DaVinci International Film Festival
- Sponsorship Prizes
- Audience Award "Best Ultra-Short Film"
- Live Event Screening at AMC Theaters, The Grove in Los Angeles

Rules & Terms

PLEASE READ THE RULES & REGULATIONS BELOW BEFORE SUBMITTING.

If your project is over 5 minutes (TRT) even by a second, please DO NOT SUBMIT, as it will be disqualified and not reviewed.

CLEAN AND SIMPLE:

- No longer than 5 minutes TRT (Total Running Time includes credits)
- All non-English speaking films must be presented with English subtitles.
- In the event of a film is withdrawn, DIFF will not refund or return any materials.
- Submit as many projects as you'd like! Each film requires its own entry fee.
- If you are awarded an Official Selection and wish for your film to screen at DIFF, you will need a DCP film file.

Questions? Please contact us at genius@davincifilmfestival.com
25 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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  • Brandon Maxwell

    We had an amazing time at GENiUS with DaVinci International Film Festival! The staff was fantastic and the ability to screen an AMC theater was incredible. It was such a welcoming community and we look forward to returning in another year. We are grateful for the opportunity and for the win for our film "To Nora"! :)

    October 2025
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  • Andrew Coughlin

    Had a great experience screening my short at GENiUS / UltraShort this past weekend. It was very cool seeing my film on the big screen at AMC Theatres — definitely a highlight! The festival was well organized, the after-party was a nice touch, and it was great meeting the talented family who’s been running the festival for seven years. You can really feel their passion and care for filmmakers. Highly recommend this festival to anyone looking for a warm, well-run experience.

    October 2025
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  • ROBERTO PILI

    We are really proud to parteciped at this Festival with our docufilm "LUCY - A pioneer destiny"!

    March 2024
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  • Zoë DeLeon

    Everyone behind this festival was communicative, helpful, and kind! The AMC at the Grove setting was awesome! It all felt very legit and exciting. Definitely worth the entry fee, I'll definitely submit to it again!

    My only critique is that our film (a stop-motion short) was in the ultra-short film block and a good amount of the other selections were music videos, which to me didn't feel like short films... this was a bit disappointing.

    But still, great festival, thanks so much for being our premiere on the big screen! :)

    October 2022
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  • Thom Lunshof

    Great festival, very greatful to win the Audience Award! Thanks!

    October 2022
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