Aspen Shortsfest

About Aspen Shortsfest

The Aspen Shortsfest selection comprises a wide diversity of shortform cinema by filmmakers from all over the world. We strive to present films that reach the highest standards of craft while also showcasing a rich multiplicity of voices and styles. Films in selection also demonstrate their creators' strong awareness of the remarkable degree of care and concision required of great shorts. We look for work that is fresh, compelling and distinct, with an emphasis on emerging talents along with stories and perspectives that have traditionally gone underrepresented and therefore represent a vanguard for contemporary visual storytelling. All submissions are viewed at least once in their entirety by members of our screening team. Standout submissions then progress to further rounds of viewing and consideration by our committee of four programmers led by programming director Jason Anderson. The programming team consists of industry professionals with extensive experience not just in the film festival world, but in the more specialized realm of short form cinema. The committee determines the overall selection, with the aim of creating a wide-ranging slate of films that will engage, surprise and move not only our audience but the many filmmakers and industry professionals who come to experience Shortsfest and have come to expect to see exceptional work.

Awards this festival can qualify you for

• BAFTA Short · British Short Film

  Screening in official competition at Aspen Shortsfest qualifies a British short film for BAFTA nomination. No win required.

• CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• CSA Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Live Action Short Drama

  Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

• EFA Short · Best European Short Film

  Film must win the EFA-candidate prize at this festival to be nominated for the EFA Short Film Award. Must be a European production (majority EU/EEA financing).

• Oscar Animated Short · Animated Short Film

  Must win Best Animation. Aspen designates by genre, not by a generic animated jury prize.

Aspen Shortsfest submission FAQ

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