2,500+ scripts. The community narrowed them to 10. Now our judges pick 3 finalists, and the vote comes back to you on October 26!
Submissions Period
Jul 27, 2026
Submission Closed
Aug 24, 2026
Public Voting
Sep 7, 2026
Judges Panel
Oct 5, 2026
Voting for Winner
Oct 26, 2026
Last Year's Winner
PUSHING DAISY by Eduard Mitra was chosen by the community and won $7,500 to make the film. It's now in post-production.
Runners-up CHICKEN and BODY OF WATER each took home $1,500.
The Judges Round
10 Scripts. 3 Spots.
Our judges are now reading the top 10 scripts the community picked.
They'll name three finalists on October 26.
Then the vote comes back to you to pick the winner.
Get a head start: read the Top 10, and find out if our judges see it your way.
Rules
What We Need From You
Free To Enter
Original short script, 5 to 20 pages
Industry-standard format, PDF upload
Director's statement [why are you making this film]
Up to three entries per writer
18 or older
All rights must belong to you
The Prize
The Winning Script Gets Made
$7,500 production grant
$500 festival submission stipend
Production support from Kinolime
You keep 100% ownership
Mark Your Calendar
2026 Shorts Competition Schedule
Submissions open: July 27
Submissions close: August 24
Top 26 announced: Sep 7 (Thinktank review complete)
Community voting begins: Sep 7 (The community votes 26 down to 10)
Judges round: Oct 5 - Oct 25 (Panel narrows 10 to 3)
Final vote: Oct 26 - Nov 8 (Community picks the winner)
