Introduction to the film festival
Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur is Switzerland’s major short film festival, held annually in November. The six-day event is a popular public festival as well as an important hub for the international short film industry.
Kurzfilmtage awards cash and in-kind prizes with a total value of CHF 57 000.–. The five-person jury of the International Competition selects the winners of the Grand Prize, the Promotional Award, and the Prix George for the Best Documentary Form, as well as the candidate for the EFA. The three jurors of the Swiss Competition present the Awards for the Best Swiss Film and the Best Swiss School Film. Viewers pick the winner of the Audience Award. A three-person youth jury chooses the winner of the Section Sparks. The Postproduction Award is also presented by three jurors.
Our annual Industry Events are a hub for national and international short film professionals. Held from Thursday to Saturday during the festival, the Industry Events include the Swiss Film School Day, the Industry Lab, and the Creators’ Room, offering a range of events dedicated to current issues relevant to the (short) film industry.
At the festival and the industry events, we welcome around 700 industry guests and are happy to provide them with a platform for networking and mutual inspiration.
Awards
Grand Prize of the International Competition, CHF 10 000.–
• Promotional Award of the International Competition, CHF 10 000.–
• Prix George for the Best Documentary Form, CHF 5 000.–
• Award for the Best Swiss Film, CHF 10 000.–
• Audience Award, CHF 5000.–
• Award for the Best Film in the Section Sparks, CHF 2000.–
• Short Film Candidate, European Film Awards EFA
Rules
Preview copies with spoken languages other than English must be submitted with subtitles in English
Short films of all genres no longer than 30 minutes (International Competition) or 40 minutes (Swiss Competition) and no older than 2025
| Jury Name | Judge photos | Jury Profile |
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Authorization type
Duration (several sessions)
Film Festival Features
Dates & Deadlines
2026-01-21
Submission start time
2026-04-16
Earlybird Deadline
2026-07-10
Regular Deadline
2026-07-10
Submission end time
2026-09-30
Finalist notification start time
2026-09-30
Finalist notification end time
2026-11-03
Award ceremony start time
2026-11-03
Award ceremony end time
Categories and fees
2026/04/16
Earlybird Deadline
Standard: 27 Dollar
2026/07/10
Regular Deadline
Standard: 30 Dollar
Related film festivalMore
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