Introduction to the film festival
Founded in 1977, KORTFILMFESTIVALEN / THE NORWEGIAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is Norway's largest short film festival, and the only Academy Award® qualifying film festival, with competition sections for Norwegian and International short films and documentaries, and Norwegian music videos.
The Festival is an essential platform for both emerging and established filmmakers, and an important showcase for the free, independent film industry in Norway. The competition programme for international short films attracts industry people from all over the world to Grimstad, and the festival facilitates industry events such as panels and presentations, masterclasses, talks and open forums, as well as daily mixers and social events connecting Norwegian and international film professionals.
Set in the small, idyllic seaside town of Grimstad, the Festival offers unique and exciting opportunities to help expand your personal and professional network. Whether you're a well established professional or fresh out of film school, what makes the Festival so special is how accessible everyone is, and how we come together as a community. We can safely say that when you leave Grimstad, you will know what being in a true "festival bubble" feels like, inspired by the possibilities and opportunities that can come from this experience.
All this, plus of course the hundreds of films we are so proud and grateful to be able to present every year, in our competition sections and special programs.
*
The Norwegian Short Film Festival is Norway's only Academy Award® qualifying festival, and recipients of the Golden Chair Award in the following categories will be eligible for Oscar® consideration:
*Best Norwegian Short Film
*Best Short Documentary, International or Norwegian
*Best International Short Film
Awards
Our Grand Jury Award is THE GOLDEN CHAIR, which four international juries of film professionals will hand out in four main competition categories: - NK: Norwegian Short Film *** - THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best Norwegian Short Film is awarded 50 000 NOK, presented by Agder County. - THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best International Short Film is awarded 50 000 NOK and qualifies to be considered for an Oscar® nomination for Best Short Film, Live Action or Animated, as long as it meets the requirements set by The Academy® for all nominated films. - THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best Documentary Short Film is awarded 50 000 NOK. - THE GOLDEN CHAIR for Best Norwegian Music Video is awarded 50 000 NOK, presented by Oslo fotokunstskole. - THE TERJE VIGEN AWARD is presented by the Municipality of Grimstad to a Norwegian Short Film or Norwegian Short Documentary in competition. The award consists of a bronze statuette by artist Harald Oredam and 10 000 NOK. - THE NORWEGIAN FILM WORKERS ASSOCIATION'S TECHNICAL AWARD / FAGPRISEN is given to one (or more) individual(s) displaying excellence in their profession and contribution to a Norwegian Short Film in competition. Fagprisen comes with a cash prize of 15 000 NOK. - THE HOURGLASS AWARD / TIMEGLASSET is presented by the Writers' Guild of Norway to the screenwriter(s) of a film in the Norwegian Short Film competition. It comes with a cash prize of 15 000 NOK. - THE NORWEGIAN FILM CRITICS' AWARD / FILMKRITIKERPRISEN goes to a Norwegian Short Film or Norwegian Short Documentary in competition. The award comes with a selected artwork by a Norwegian artist. - KORTFILMFESTIVALEN'S YOUTH AWARD is presented by a student jury from Dahlske Upper Secondary School in Grimstad and goes to a film in the International Short Film competition. The award comes with a cash prize of 5 000 NOK. In addition, three Norwegian short films or short documentaries will be shortlisted for the Norwegian film award, Amandaprisen.
- IK: International Short Film
- KD: Short Documentary, International or Norwegian
- MV: Norwegian Music Video
The winning film qualifies to be considered for an Oscar® nomination for Best Short Film, Live Action or Animated, as long as it meets the requirements set by The Academy® for all nominated films.
Norwegian and International films are in the same category. The winning film qualifies to be considered for an Oscar® nomination for Best Short Film, Documentary Subject, as long as it meets the requirements set by The Academy® for all nominated films.
The jury for Norwegian Short Film will decide and hand out this award.
Rules
**IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ**
TO QUALIFY FOR COMPETITION 2026:
*International films must be completed AFTER 15th February 2025.
*Norwegian films must be completed AFTER 15th March 2025.
And films completed prior to this date risk disqualification.
Short films must not exceed 35 minutes running time, including credits.
Short documentary films must not exceed 40 minutes running time, including credits.
To qualify for competition, international films must be completed after 15th February 2025 and Norwegian films after 15th March 2025.
Films completed prior to this date risk disqualification.
For International submissions:
Only completed films are eligible for consideration, works in progress or unfinished films will not be considered.
For Norwegian submissions:
The festival might consider a work in progress or an uncompleted film. What remains in post must be clearly stated on your film's page.
To qualify for Norwegian competition, the film's director or main producer must hold a Norwegian citizenship or be a permanent resident.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-10-01
Submission start time
2026-01-30
Regular Deadline
2026-02-13
Extended Deadline
2026-02-13
Submission end time
2026-04-10
Finalist notification start time
2026-04-10
Finalist notification end time
2026-06-10
Award ceremony start time
2026-06-14
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/01/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 25.41 Dollar
Student： 25.41 Dollar
2026/02/13
Extended Deadline
Standard: 35.61 Dollar
Student： 35.61 Dollar
2026/01/30
Regular Deadline
Standard: 25.41 Dollar
Student： 25.41 Dollar
2026/02/13
Extended Deadline
Standard: 35.61 Dollar
Student： 35.61 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
View in the applet
Follow us
Follow the following platforms
Facebook
Twitter
WeChat
Official Weibo
Beijing Public Network Security No. 11011202000526
