Introduction to the film festival
LA Shorts International Film Festival ranks among the most prestigious and largest international short film festivals in the world.
The Festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences OSCAR®, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts BAFTA and the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT) presenters of the Canadian Screen Awards and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Spain (Goya Awards).
We are proud to have 68 filmmakers from LA Shorts earned an Academy Award® nomination.
Celebrating 30 years, LA Shorts is the longest-running short film festival in Los Angeles. The festival screens 400 films and attracts over 10,000 attendees each year including Hollywood industry professionals and emerging independent filmmakers.
LA Shorts is an official qualifying event for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts BAFTA short film awards. Award-winners at the festival are eligible to win BAFTA Awards.
LA Shorts is recognized by The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT) presenters of the Canadian Screen Awards.
Those who have been honored at the festival include directors, Jon Favreau, Paul Haggis, Bryan Singer, Jan de Bont, Shane Black, and actors Gary Oldman, James Woods, Martin Landau and Richard Dreyfuss. Many recognizable directors and actors have screened films and attended the festival such as Scarlett Johansson, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Courteney Cox, Tim Burton, Sofia Coppola, Jason Reitman, Terry Gilliam, Spike Jonze, Eva Mendes, Jessica Biel, Rachel Weisz, Hilary Swank, Josh Brolin, Kirsten Dunst, Rita Wilson, Ralph Macchio, Ricky Gervais, Vin Diesel, John Stamos, Matthew Modine, Dean Cain, Robin Wright, George R. R. Martin and many many more.
The film programming screens all genres from a wide spectrum of categories with high to low-budget films 40 minutes or under. From recognizable directors and celebrity actors to students from the finest film schools and high school teenagers- they're all here to celebrate the art (and business) of short-form cinema!
Awards
*ACADEMY AWARD OSCAR® QUALIFYING
*BAFTA Qualifying
*Canadian Screen Awards Qualifying
*Goya Awards Qualifying
CASH PRIZES
Best of Fest
Best International
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best Animation
Best Experimental
Best Documentary
Best Sci-Fi
Best Horror
Best Music Video
Best Web Series
Best High School Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Rules
- Films must have been completed after January 1, 2025.
- Films must not screen in Los Angeles county prior to our festival.
- Non-English films must have English subtitles.
- Works-in-progress are considered, provided they will be completed 4 weeks prior to the festival.
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
|---|
Authorization type
Authorization Letter
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2025-11-01
Submission start time
2026-02-25
Earlybird Deadline
2026-04-01
Regular Deadline
2026-04-29
Late Deadline
2026-05-27
Extended Deadline
2026-05-27
Submission end time
2026-06-24
Finalist notification start time
2026-06-24
Finalist notification end time
2026-07-16
Award ceremony start time
2026-07-27
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/02/25
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 54 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/29
Late Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/02/25
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 54 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/29
Late Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/02/25
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 54 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/29
Late Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 65 Dollar
2026/02/25
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 54 Dollar
2026/04/01
Regular Deadline
Standard: 60 Dollar
2026/04/29
Late Deadline
Standard: 70 Dollar
2026/05/27
Extended Deadline
Standard: 65 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
