shnit worldwide shortsfestival (24)

Festival start: 20 August 2026      Festival end: 20 September 2026

The shnit worldwide shortsfestival is a premier platform for the exhibition and promotion of short films. This festival is a unique transnational event held simultaneously in ten cities across five continents. The festival takes place from August 20 – September 20 2026 and consists of three main segments: [1] shnit PLAYGROUNDS* – Festival cities | [2] shnit EXPANDED | [3] shnit FINALE – Awards ceremony.

All winners of the WORLDWIDE COMPETITION & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION will be eligible to enter the 2027 Oscars® [via Cinematic release | in accordance with the rules of the 99th Oscars®].

Over the past twenty-four years, shnit has evolved into a major international short film festival, continuously reinventing itself. Originally a local initiative, it is now a global event connecting and inspiring filmmakers and audiences from different cultural backgrounds. The festival promotes diversity, originality, and artistic exchange. With its high-quality cinematic selections, shnit attracts over 30,000 visitors, making it one of the leading short film festivals worldwide.

shnit is a non-profit organization, coordinated in collaboration with festival executives. The festival operates on principles of excellence and professionalism, fostering its international expansion.

* Planned PLAYGROUNDS for 2026
shnit worldwide shortsfestival takes place simultaneously in the several cities, the shnit PLAYGROUNDS, on five continents. The definitive setup will be announced by August 1 2026, the planned PLAYGROUNDS for this year are:

▪ Amsterdam [The Netherlands] – shnit FINALE
▪ Buenos Aires [Argentina]
▪ Cairo [Egypt]
▪ Cape Town [South Africa]
​​▪ Goa [India]
▪ Hong Kong [China]
▪ Moscow [Russia]
▪ Sydney [Australia]
▪ San José [Costa Rica]
▪ Toronto [Canada]

In 2026, awards will total an equivalent of over $20,000 in price money and services. All winners of the WORLDWIDE COMPETITION & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION will be eligible to enter the 2027 Oscars® [Cinematic release | Oscar-run in 2026) | in accordance with the rules of the 99th Oscars®].

AUDIENCE AWARDS

▪ shnit AUDIENCE Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film in WORLDWIDE COMPETITION 2026

▪ shnit AUDIENCE Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film in INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2026

PRESIDENTS AWARD

▪ shnit PRESIDENTS Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film 2026

JURY AWARDS

▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 10 minutes
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 20 minutes
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 40 minutes

NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

▪ Jury Award – Defined by the relevant shnit PLAYGROUND*
▪ Audience Award – Defined the relevant shnit PLAYGROUND*

HONORABLE MENTIONS

▪ Best North American Short Film – nomination Artistic Direction
▪ Best South American Short Film – nomination Artistic Direction
▪ Best European Short Film – nomination Artistic Direction
▪ Best African Short Film – nomination Artistic Direction
▪ Best Asian Short Film – nomination Artistic Direction
▪ Best Oceanian Short Film – nomination Artistic Direction

The shnit juries are composed of international representatives from the professional film industry. Films will not receive multiple awards from shnit in the same festival edition. However, a film may receive an additional award in a national competition.

Student films cannot qualify with a theatrical release for the Oscars®. For more information on qualifications, please visit: www.oscars.org (Rules: II. ELIGIBILITY, A, 1. )

REGULATIONS – WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

REGULAR short film submission

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

▪ All genres are accepted.
▪ Maximum length: 40 minutes (including credits).
▪ Films must have been completed on or after January 1 2024.
▪ Only completed productions are accepted (no work-in-progress previews).
▪ A film may only be submitted once. If you have made significant changes you can re-submit the film for a second time.
▪ No premiere status requirement.
▪ Accepted digital screening formats: Apple ProRes 422 or H.264 in 1080p or 4K UHD.
▪ The screening copy must be in English or have English subtitles.
▪ Paid entry fee. Entry fees are per project and are non-refundable.
▪ Submitting before the Deadline June 1 2026.
▪ Festival programmers can select and invite projects (without an entry fee). Invited creators will be notified by email or phone.
▪ The submitter is responsible for all copyrights. By submitting the film, you commit the film to be screened if it is selected and the selection of the film has been accepted by the filmmaker.

HOW TO SUBMIT

▪ Submissions can be made via submission platforms (like Festhome) or on shortsfestival.org.
▪ Upload at least one still photo from the film.
▪ Ensure the preview file is working correctly.
▪ Preview file must be in English or subtitled in English.
▪ The final selection will be announced by August 1 2026.
▪ Only submitters of selected films will be notified personally.
▪ The submitters of the selected films will be notified prior to the public announcement.

JURIES AND PRIZES

In 2026, awards will total an equivalent of over $20,000 in price money and services. Unless otherwise agreed by the Festival in writing, awards will be given to the winning film director and will be fulfilled approximately 12-16 weeks after the closing date of the festival.

▪ shnit AUDIENCE Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film in WORLDWIDE COMPETITION 2026
▪ shnit AUDIENCE Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film in INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2026
▪ shnit PRESIDENTS Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film 2026
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 10 minutes
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 20 minutes
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 40 minutes

All winners of the WORLDWIDE COMPETITION & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION will be eligible to enter the 2027 Oscars® [Cinematic release | Oscar-run in 2026) | in accordance with the rules of the 99th Oscars®].

In addition to the prizes mentioned above and with the approval of the festival, it is also possible for other organisations and associations to award films in the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. Any prizes (cash or in-kind prizes) awarded by shnit are not transferable or exchangeable. The festival reserves the right to change, add or suppress awards according to circumstances.

IF THE FILM IS SELECTED

▪ Information given in the entry form (synopsis, credits etc.) will be used as such in marketing and publicity.
▪ Please have your screening copy ready for sending in from June 1st 2026.
▪ Screening copy must be delivered at least four (4) weeks before the festival.
▪ Screening copy must have English subtitles (extra file | separate from film file) and be identical to the preview copy.
▪ Films will be subtitled in the needed language for the screenings.
▪ The festival is authorized to make excerpts not exceeding 10% or max. 3 minutes of the total running time of the selected films to be used in promoting the festival in various media and the Internet and for promotional archival and other non-commercial purposes.
▪ The festival offers the representative of the film (1 person) free festival access to all screenings in all PLAYGROUNDS*. More information about guest services will be provided personally to successful applicants.
▪ The festival will not pay screening fees for films selected for the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.
▪ Please ensure that nominated filmmakers are ready to travel to the shnit FINALE in Amsterdam (September 20 2026) to be part of the award ceremony.

SCREENINGS

▪ shnit PLAYGROUNDS* will perform for a maximum of 11 days per city during the period from August 20 to September 13, 2026.
▪ shnit EXPANDED will perform from August 20 to September 20, 2026: A selection of films of the INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS will be offered for closed screening in foreign country offices (embassies / consular offices) in various cities. The WORLDWIDE COMPETITION will be presented in cinemas and cultural centers in the program «AROUND THE WORLD IN 8 FILMS» outside shnit PLAYGROUNDS*. The winners of the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION will be screened for seven days in a cinema in the United States of America (LA).
▪ shnit FINALE Award Ceremony: September 20 2026, in Amsterdam, [The Netherlands].

SHNIT ONLINE FILM LIBRARY & BEST OF PROGRAM

Selected films will be included in shnit’s online film library, accessible only to accredited professionals from August 20 – September 20 2026. During the shnit PLAYGROUNDS* period, selected short films may be made available for a fee on a password-protected, geo-blocked shnit platform (shnit SHOWREEL). Until September 30, award-winning and nominated films will be available online for a fee as part of the Best-of program. Any restrictions on online screenings must be communicated at least two weeks before the festival via showreel@shortsfestival.org.
After the festival, a few films from the official selection may be screened as a BEST OF program and in special programs in cinemas and cultural centers. shnit presents its programs with subtitles in several languages. To translate subtitles and to learn about languages shnit collaborates with language schools and can make officially selected films of the program 2026 available for students. Best efforts will be made to ensure that filmmakers whose films are being screened as BEST OF will be informed about the place(s) and date(s) of the screening(s).

NON-SPECIFIED CASES

Any such cases not mentioned in these regulations will be left to the festival's consideration (in accordance with FIAPF International Regulations). By submitting a film, the entrant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted the regulations without reservation (by you and your agents). The above listed awards are from the planned 2026 shnit worldwide shortsfestival and are subject to change for this years edition by the Festival in its sole discretion.

* shnit worldwide shortsfestival takes place simultaneously in the several cities, the shnit PLAYGROUNDS, on five continents. The planned PLAYGROUNDS 2026 are: Buenos Aires [Argentina], Cairo [Egypt], Cape Town [South Africa], Goa [India], Hong Kong [China], Moscow [Russia], Sidney [Australia], San José [Costa Rica],Toronto [Canada], the shnit FINALE in Amsterdam [The Netherlands]. Still affected by the aftermath of the pandemic, there may be changes in this planning. The shnit FINALE in Amsterdam is held annually, as long as the contributions of the partners and sponsors make this possible. The final festival setup will be announced by August 1 2026, at www.shortsfestival.org.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

REGULATIONS – WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

PRO ENTRY short film submission

PRO ENTRY – FEEDBACK: With the PRO ENTRY, the festival provides a feedback system which is unique within the scope of film festivals. The aim is to give filmmakers valuable feedback on their work to enhance their artistic potential for future projects and for other festival submissions. Usually festivals do not give substantial nor personal feedback.

The submitter gets the following extra add-on package:

▪ A place on the short-list «pre-selection» for the artistic director(s) (final round of selection).
▪ Personal individual feedback for every film you enter by the artistic director(s).
▪ The festival offers the representative of the film (1 person) free festival access to all screenings in all PLAYGROUNDS*.

There is a submission fee of $100.– to enter your films to the PRO ENTRY. The costs equate to the administration in order to guarantee individual treatment for the feedback system.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

▪ All genres are accepted.
▪ Maximum length: 40 minutes (including credits).
▪ Films must have been completed on or after January 1 2024.
▪ Only completed productions are accepted (no work-in-progress previews).
▪ A film may only be submitted once. If you have made significant changes you can re-submit the film for a second time.
▪ No premiere status requirement.
▪ Accepted digital screening formats: Apple ProRes 422 or H.264 in 1080p or 4K UHD.
▪ The screening copy must be in English or have English subtitles.
▪ Paid entry fee of $100.–. Entry fees are per project and are non-refundable.
▪ Submitting before the Deadline June 1 2026.
▪ The submitter is responsible for all copyrights. By submitting the film, you commit the film to be screened if it is selected and the selection of the film has been accepted by the filmmaker.

HOW TO SUBMIT

▪ Submissions can be made via submission platforms (like Festhome) or on shortsfestival.org.
▪ Upload at least one still photo from the film.
▪ Ensure the preview file is working correctly.
▪ Preview file must be in English or subtitled in English.
▪ The final selection will be announced by August 1 2026.
▪ Only submitters of selected films will be notified personally.
▪ The submitters of the selected films will be notified prior to the public announcement.

JURIES AND PRIZES

In 2026, awards will total an equivalent of over $20,000 in price money and services. Unless otherwise agreed by the Festival in writing, awards will be given to the winning film director and will be fulfilled approximately 12-16 weeks after the closing date of the festival.

▪ shnit AUDIENCE Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film in WORLDWIDE COMPETITION 2026
▪ shnit AUDIENCE Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film in INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2026
▪ shnit PRESIDENTS Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film 2026
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 10 minutes
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 20 minutes
▪ shnit JURY Award – THE FLAMING FAUN: Best film up to 40 minutes

All winners of the WORLDWIDE COMPETITION & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION will be eligible to enter the 2027 Oscars® [Cinematic release | Oscar-run in 2026) | in accordance with the rules of the 99th Oscars®].

In addition to the prizes mentioned above and with the approval of the festival, it is also possible for other organisations and associations to award films in the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. Any prizes (cash or in-kind prizes) awarded by shnit are not transferable or exchangeable. The festival reserves the right to change, add or suppress awards according to circumstances.

IF THE FILM IS SELECTED

▪ Information given in the entry form (synopsis, credits etc.) will be used as such in marketing and publicity.
▪ Please have your screening copy ready for sending in from June 1st 2026.
▪ Screening copy must be delivered at least four (4) weeks before the festival.
▪ Screening copy must have English subtitles (extra file | separate from film file) and be identical to the preview copy.
▪ Films will be subtitled in the needed language for the screenings.
▪ The festival is authorized to make excerpts not exceeding 10% or max. 3 minutes of the total running time of the selected films to be used in promoting the festival in various media and the Internet and for promotional archival and other non-commercial purposes.
▪ The festival offers the representative of the film (1 person) free festival access to all screenings in all PLAYGROUNDS*. More information about guest services will be provided personally to successful applicants.
▪ The festival will not pay screening fees for films selected for the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION.
▪ Please ensure that nominated filmmakers are ready to travel to the shnit FINALE in Amsterdam (September 20 2026) to be part of the award ceremony.

SCREENINGS

▪ shnit PLAYGROUNDS* will perform for a maximum of 11 days per city during the period from August 20 to September 13, 2026.
▪ shnit EXPANDED will perform from August 20 to September 20, 2026: A selection of films of the INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS will be offered for closed screening in foreign country offices (embassies / consular offices) in various cities. The WORLDWIDE COMPETITION will be presented in cinemas and cultural centers in the program «AROUND THE WORLD IN 8 FILMS» outside shnit PLAYGROUNDS*. The winners of the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION will be screened for seven days in a cinema in the United States of America (LA).
▪ shnit FINALE Award Ceremony: September 20 2026, in Amsterdam, [The Netherlands].

SHNIT ONLINE FILM LIBRARY & BEST OF PROGRAM

Selected films will be included in shnit’s online film library, accessible only to accredited professionals from August 20 – September 20 2026. During the shnit PLAYGROUNDS* period, selected short films may be made available for a fee on a password-protected, geo-blocked shnit platform (shnit SHOWREEL). Until September 30, award-winning and nominated films will be available online for a fee as part of the Best-of program. Any restrictions on online screenings must be communicated at least two weeks before the festival via showreel@shortsfestival.org.
After the festival, a few films from the official selection may be screened as a BEST OF program and in special programs in cinemas and cultural centers. shnit presents its programs with subtitles in several languages. To translate subtitles and to learn about languages shnit collaborates with language schools and can make officially selected films of the program 2026 available for students. Best efforts will be made to ensure that filmmakers whose films are being screened as BEST OF will be informed about the place(s) and date(s) of the screening(s).

NON-SPECIFIED CASES

Any such cases not mentioned in these regulations will be left to the festival's consideration (in accordance with FIAPF International Regulations). By submitting a film, the entrant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted the regulations without reservation (by you and your agents). The above listed awards are from the planned 2026 shnit worldwide shortsfestival and are subject to change for this years edition by the Festival in its sole discretion.

* shnit worldwide shortsfestival takes place simultaneously in the several cities, the shnit PLAYGROUNDS, on five continents. The planned PLAYGROUNDS 2026 are: Buenos Aires [Argentina], Cairo [Egypt], Cape Town [South Africa], Goa [India], Hong Kong [China], Moscow [Russia], Sidney [Australia], San José [Costa Rica],Toronto [Canada], the shnit FINALE in Amsterdam [The Netherlands]. Still affected by the aftermath of the pandemic, there may be changes in this planning. The shnit FINALE in Amsterdam is held annually, as long as the contributions of the partners and sponsors make this possible. The final festival setup will be announced by August 1 2026, at www.shortsfestival.org.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

REGULATIONS – NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

REGULAR short film submission

Submissions for a NATIONAL COMPETITION automatically qualify as entries for the WORLDWIDE & INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. Double submission is not necessary.

The following national competition categories are planned for 2026:
▪ MADE IN ARGENTINA
▪ MADE IN EGYPT
▪ MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA
▪ MADE IN INDIA
▪ MADE IN CHINA
▪ MADE IN RUSSIA
▪ MADE IN AUSTRALIA
▪ MADE IN COSTA RICA
▪ MADE IN CANADA

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

▪ The origin (production county | directors origin) of the short film is out of one of the PLAYGROUND* countries
▪ All genres are accepted.
▪ Maximum length: 40 minutes (including credits).
▪ Films must have been completed on or after January 1 2024.
▪ Only completed productions are accepted (no work-in-progress previews).
▪ A film may only be submitted once. If you have made significant changes you can re-submit the film for a second time.
▪ No premiere status requirement.
▪ Accepted digital screening formats: Apple ProRes 422 or H.264 in 1080p or 4K UHD.
▪ The screening copy must be in English or have English subtitles.
▪ Paid entry fee | Valid waiver code. Entry fees are per project and are non-refundable.
▪ Submitting before the Deadline June 1 2026.
▪ Festival programmers can select and invite projects (without an entry fee). Invited creators will be notified by email or phone.
▪ The submitter is responsible for all copyrights. By submitting the film, you commit the film to be screened if it is selected and the selection of the film has been accepted by the filmmaker.

HOW TO SUBMIT

▪ Submissions can be made via submission platforms (like Festhome) or on shortsfestival.org.
▪ Upload at least one still photo from the film.
▪ Ensure the preview file is working correctly.
▪ Preview file must be in English or subtitled in English.
▪ The final selection will be announced by August 1 2026.
▪ Only submitters of selected films will be notified personally.
▪ The submitters of the selected films will be notified prior to the public announcement.

JURIES AND PRIZES

The festival will nominate a jury consisting of three members. The following prizes will be given to the director of the awarded films:

▪ Jury Award – Defined by the relevant shnit PLAYGROUND*
▪ Audience Award – Defined the relevant shnit PLAYGROUND*

In addition to the prizes mentioned above and with the approval of the festival, it is also possible for other organisations and associations to award films in a NATIONAL COMPETITION. Any prizes (cash or in-kind prizes) awarded by shnit are not transferable or exchangeable. The festival reserves the right to change, add or suppress awards according to circumstances.

IF THE FILM IS SELECTED

▪ Information given in the entry form (synopsis, credits etc.) will be used as such in marketing and publicity.
▪ Please have your screening copy ready for sending in from June 1st 2026.
▪ Screening copy must be delivered at least four (4) weeks before the festival.
▪ Screening copy must be identical to the preview copy.
▪ The festival is authorized to make excerpts not exceeding 10% or max. 3 minutes of the total running time of the selected films to be used in promoting the festival in various media and the Internet and for promotional archival and other non-commercial purposes.
▪ The festival offers the representative of the film (1 person) free festival access to all screenings in the valid PLAYGROUND*. More information about guest services will be provided personally to successful applicants.
▪ Festival will not pay screening fees for films selected for a NATIONAL COMPETITION.
▪ shnit PLAYGROUNDS* will perform for a maximum of 11 days per city during the period from August 20 to September 13, 2026.

NON-SPECIFIED CASES

Any such cases not mentioned in these regulations will be left to the festival's consideration (in accordance with FIAPF International Regulations). By submitting a film, the entrant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted the regulations without reservation (by you and your agents). The above listed awards are from the planned 2026 shnit worldwide shortsfestival and are subject to change for this years edition by the Festival in its sole discretion.

The final competition list will be announced on August 1 2026 at www.shortsfestival.org.

* The planned PLAYGROUNDS 2026 are: Buenos Aires [Argentina], Cairo [Egypt], Cape Town [South Africa], Goa [India], Hong Kong [China], Moscow [Russia], Sidney [Australia], San José [Costa Rica],Toronto [Canada], the shnit FINALE in Amsterdam [The Netherlands]. Still affected by the aftermath of the pandemic, there may be changes in this planning. The final festival setup will be announced by August 1 2026, at www.shortsfestival.org.