Festival start: 25 September 2026
Festival end: 25 September 2026
MiFA SHORTS
Welcome to MiFA Shorts, the short film edition of the Monza International Film Awards — a unique celebration of independent filmmaking, broadcast live from the SE1 TV studio in London on our official YouTube channel.
Hosted by Mariam Babajide, Frankie Clarence and Tom Harrison Vaughan, with industry professionals presenting each category, MIFA Shorts transforms the thrill of a live awards show into a truly global experience — allowing filmmakers and audiences everywhere to connect, celebrate, and share in the magic of cinema in real time.
Every nominated short film is showcased live during the broadcast, giving each project the spotlight it deserves. Winners join us via live feed, chatting with the hosts and celebrating their achievements as the world watches.
Each winner receives a personalized, framed MIFA Winner’s Certificate, a lasting tribute to their achievement and a reminder of the creativity, hard work, and passion that brought their story to life.
At MiFA Shorts, we understand the dedication behind every frame, and we want every filmmaker, whether behind or in front of the camera, to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.
The celebration doesn’t end with the show — each nominated film and category will continue to be promoted across MiFA’s social media channels, with exclusive content, interviews, and features designed to amplify visibility and help filmmakers reach new audiences.
We are also proud to support two remarkable organizations — Beat Leukemia
and Peso Positivo through our BL Award and Peso Positivo Award. These special prizes honor films that tackle themes around cancer and mental health, helping spread awareness, understanding, and hope to wider audiences.
- BL Award (in collaboration with Beat-Leukemia.org)
This Award honors the best short film addressing themes surrounding all forms of cancer — stories that raise awareness, share knowledge, and bring strength, hope, and compassion to audiences worldwide.
This award is presented in collaboration with Beat Leukemia, a charitable foundation based in Monza devoted to spreading clear and accessible information about leukemia and supporting those affected.
Through this partnership, MiFA Shorts proudly contributes to Beat Leukemia’s mission and helps bring these vital stories to light.
- Peso Positivo Award (in collaboration with PesoPositivo.it)
The Peso Positivo Award recognizes the best short film tackling mental health — stories that open dialogue, encourage empathy, and remind us of the strength in vulnerability.
Created in collaboration with Peso Positivo, a charity dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of mental health and eating disorders, this award celebrates filmmakers who bravely explore these important topics and inspire others through their art.
Framed MiFA Winner’s Certificate, delivered. (no additional costs)
1. Eligibility
Submissions are accepted from filmmakers of all nationalities and backgrounds.
Short films must be 45 minutes or less, including titles and credits.
2. Content Restrictions
We do not accept any form of pornographic material.
Films must not promote hate speech, discrimination, or violence toward any individual or group.
3. Submission Fees
All submission fees are non-refundable, except in the rare case of full event cancellation by the organizers.
3.1 Categories
To compete for the individual awards, filmmakers must also submit the same project for at least one of the main categories (Best film, best Italian film, best documentary, best animation, BL Award, PesoPositivo Award). Entries to the individual awards without the entry to the main category will be disqualified.
Refunds will not be issued for withdrawn submissions or disqualification due to rule violations.
4. Official Selections & Nominations
If your film is selected for nomination or as an official selection, you agree to:
Provide poster artwork, behind-the-scenes material, film stills, photographs, headshots and trailers for promotional use.
Participate in interviews or podcast features when requested by MiFA.
Grant MiFA permission to use promotional material, interviews, and trailers on its website, social media channels, and event programming.
Tag and mention MiFA on relevant social media posts associated with the film's selection.
5. Travel & Attendance
All travel, accommodation, and related expenses for attending MiFA events are the responsibility of the filmmakers or participants.
6. Copyright and Ownership
The filmmaker must own all rights to the film submitted or have obtained necessary permissions.
By submitting, you confirm that your film does not infringe on any third-party rights.
7. Language and Subtitles
Films not in English or Italian must include English subtitles.
8. Multiple Submissions
Filmmakers may submit multiple films, but each entry requires a separate submission and fee.
9. Notification
All selected filmmakers will be notified via email and/or Festhome.
MIFA reserves the right to change or modify festival dates, format, or award categories at any time without prior notice.
10. Judging & Selection
All submissions are reviewed by an international panel of industry professionals.
Decisions made by the jury are final and non-negotiable.
BL Award
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
20 Jan 26
Standard19$17.48$
15.58$
01 May 26
Late25$23$
20.5$
25 Jun 26
Extended30$27.6$
24.6$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
Certificate awarded for Best Film that deals with any form of Cancer. Part of the entry fee for the BL Award will be donated to www.beat-leukemia.org. A separate entry fee must be paid for each Best Film Category .
Peso Positivo Award
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
20 Jan 26
Standard19$17.48$
15.58$
01 May 26
Late25$23$
20.5$
25 Jun 26
Extended30$27.6$
24.6$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
Certificate awarded for Best Film that deals with Mental Health. Part of the entry fee for the Peso Positivo Award will be donated to www.pesopositivo.it. A separate entry fee must be paid for each Best Film Category.
Best Italian Film
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
20 Jan 26
Standard19$17.48$
15.58$
01 May 26
Late25$23$
20.5$
25 Jun 26
Extended30$27.6$
24.6$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
To compete for Best Film a separate entry fee must be paid for the Best Film Category
Best Special Effects
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Documentary
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
20 Jan 26
Standard19$17.48$
15.58$
01 May 26
Late25$23$
20.5$
25 Jun 26
Extended30$27.6$
24.6$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
To compete for Best Film a separate entry fee must be paid for the Best Film Category
Best Animation
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early15$13.8$
12.3$
20 Jan 26
Standard19$17.48$
15.58$
01 May 26
Late25$23$
20.5$
25 Jun 26
Extended30$27.6$
24.6$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
2.7$
Submit
To compete for Best Film a separate entry fee must be paid for the Best Film Category
Best Screenplay
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Stunt
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
Certificate will be award to the best stunt. Entry must submit any material, behind the scenes to sustain and prove the work behind the stunt. To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Casting Director
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Production Design
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Make Up
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Costume
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Sound Editing & Mix
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Editing
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Music Score
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
Music Score has to be original. Stock music will not be eligible. Entries using stock music will be disqualified, entry fees will not be refunded. Certificate will be award to the best music composed for a short length films. Could be for either fiction, documentary or animation. To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Cinematography
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
Certificate will be award to the best cinematography. Could be for either fiction, documentary or animation. To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Supporting Actress
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Supporting Actor
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Actor
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Actress
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Director
Short and Feature Films
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early4$3.68$
3.28$
20 Jan 26
Standard5$4.6$
4.1$
01 May 26
Late6$5.52$
4.92$
25 Jun 26
Extended8$7.36$
6.56$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
0.72$
Submit
Certificate will be award to the best Director. Could be either fiction, documentary or animation. To compete in this category you must also submit for at least one of the Best Film categories.
Best Short film
Short Films 45'<
Fee-8%
PRO 18%
Early25$23$
20.5$
20 Jan 26
Standard30$27.6$
24.6$
01 May 26
Late35$32.2$
28.7$
25 Jun 26
Extended45$41.4$
36.9$
25 Jul 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
25 Jul 26
Save up
4.5$
Submit
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 