DIFF SHORTS (2)

Festival start: 17 October 2025      Festival end: 19 October 2025

Experience the Power of Short Film at the 2nd Annual DIFF Shorts Film Festival

The Dallas International Film Festival proudly presents the 2nd Annual DIFF Shorts Film Festival, a celebration of the art of short-form storytelling. From October 17th - 19th, 2025, join us as we go beyond screenings to foster a dynamic connection between filmmakers, audiences, and the vibrant Dallas arts community.

We believe that film should be placed on the same pedestal as all of the other arts, and that applies equally to short films. Our intention with the DIFF Shorts Film Festival is to elevate the short film and to celebrate shorts filmmakers.

We want to hear your voice! Filmmakers attending DIFF Shorts are encouraged to participate in audience Q&As and panel discussions. We also actively collaborate with Dallas-area high schools and universities, connecting filmmakers with the next generation of storytellers.

Let's shorten the distance between idea and screen. Join us for the DIFF Shorts Film Festival from October 17th - 19th, 2025.

About the Dallas Film Society:

DIFF Shorts is a presentation of DIFF (Dallas Film Society, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 “to celebrate films and their impact on society; to honor filmmakers and recognize their achievements and contribution in enhancing the creative community; to provide educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today’s world; and to promote the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking".

This commitment of the early founders to the art of film and the artists who are its creators continues to guide the organization today. In addition, through curation of the broadest range of expression through film, DIFF is committed to serving as the region’s most powerful platform for diverse, emerging, and underrepresented voices. Throughout its history – before DEI was a familiar acronym – DIFF has demonstrated consistent commitment to providing accessible, inclusive, immersive, educational, and entertaining film experiences for all. It is the vision of DIFF that, by promoting wide and thoughtful expression through film, our organization can help foster human connection and greater appreciation for our common humanity and our rich diversity.

Supported by City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.

Awards & Prizes

Prizes are awarded to competition films in the following categories:

Best Narrative Short Film

Best Texas Film

Best Music Video

Best College Student Film

Best High School Student Film

Best Documentary Film

Best First-Time Filmmaker
Additional prizes will be announced as the Festival dates draw closer.

Rules & Terms

DIFF values the health and safety of all the Festival’s participants, audience members, staff, and volunteers, especially in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. To protect these individuals, as well as comply with any applicable governmental health and safety orders or guidelines, DIFF reserves, at any time and at its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, after having accepted films to be exhibited at the Festival to:

(1) cancel the Festival;

(2) institute health and safety rules applicable to all individuals participating in the Festival, such as theater- or event-capacity limits and face-covering requirements; and (3) revise the dates, location, and format of the Festival, including moving the Festival entirely online. DIFF will not, in the event it takes any of the foregoing actions, refund any payments or fees paid to DIFF prior to such time. In addition, by submitting your project to be exhibited at the Festival, you agree that DIFF will not have any liability to you for any claims, actions, costs, liabilities, judgments, obligations, losses, penalties, expenses or damages of whatsoever kind or nature incurred in connection with, relating to, or arising out of, COVID-19. DIFF will attempt to communicate any such changes to the Festival applicants, participants, and audience members in a timely manner via our website and/or direct communication with filmmakers.

Premiere status is taken into consideration for every submission in each category strand with priority given to Dallas/Fort Worth Premieres, Southwest Premieres, US Premieres, North American Premieres, and World Premieres.

Films in competition must not be commercially available prior to October 2025. However, we will consider these films for Special Presentations.

More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.

If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide a digital press kit which includes: head-shot and filmography of director, color and/or B&W stills from the film, screeners for press, and a video trailer (cleared for broadcast). You will also be asked to deliver a 30-60 second promotional video that can be used by DIFF and our DIFF marketing partners to help promote your film at the festival.

DVD/Blu-ray screeners will not be accepted for consideration.

Any films submitted without a paid entry fee by the given deadline will be disqualified from the submission screening process. No refunds will be offered.

All film entries selected for the festival grant DIFF the rights to use footage, stills, titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.