SHORT to the Point (19)

映画祭の開始: 17 3月 2027      映画祭の終了: 21 3月 2027

Next edition >>> 17–21 March 2027 - Budapest, Hungary

SHORT TO THE POINT (STTP) is an international short film festival dedicated to discovering and presenting distinctive cinematic voices from around the world.

Founded in 2009, STTP has presented curated monthly screenings and annual editions in over 50 cities across 3 continents and 13 countries. Over nearly two decades, the festival has built a respected international platform for short-form cinema, showcasing films in curated programs that emphasize artistic identity and strong directorial vision.

The 2027 Budapest edition marks a refined and focused chapter in the festival’s evolution - a carefully curated selection of works that reflect the vitality, necessity, and formal innovation of contemporary short cinema.

STTP is committed to presenting films that stand out for their clarity of vision, narrative precision, and aesthetic courage.

Official Competition Categories

• Narrative (Fiction/Live Action)
Story-driven short films with a strong authorial voice and cinematic craft.
• Documentary
Creative non-fiction works that reveal reality through a distinctive perspective.
• Animation
All forms of animated storytelling, from traditional techniques to hybrid formats.
• Experimental
Works that challenge cinematic language, structure, and perception.
• Low Budget / Independent Cinema
Films produced with limited resources yet driven by artistic ambition and originality.

What We Seek

SHORT TO THE POINT welcomes short films of all genres that demonstrate:
• A confident and personal directorial vision
• Formal precision and strong cinematic language
• Narrative or structural innovation
• Emotional depth and thematic relevance
• Artistic risk-taking

We are particularly interested in filmmakers who approach short cinema as a complete artistic form - not as a stepping stone, but as a deliberate and fully realized expression.
The festival values both established auteurs and emerging directors whose work signals a clear cinematic identity.

SHORT TO THE POINT believes that short cinema is one of the most dynamic forms of contemporary filmmaking. We aim to provide a curated international stage where bold ideas, refined craft, and new voices meet an engaged audience in the heart of Budapest.

We welcome submissions from filmmakers who approach short cinema as a complete and deliberate artistic form.

SHORT TO THE POINT honors excellence in short cinema through a series of jury and audience awards recognizing artistic vision, cinematic craft, and originality.

GRAND PRIX
Awarded to the most accomplished film in the official competition, distinguished by exceptional artistic merit and a strong cinematic identity.

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Presented to a film that demonstrates remarkable vision, innovation, or creative boldness.

AUDIENCE PRIZE
Granted to the film that resonates most powerfully with festival audiences.

AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
Recognizing outstanding achievement in animated storytelling across all techniques and styles.

AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
Honoring a documentary that offers a compelling and distinctive perspective on reality.

AWARD FOR BEST EXPERIMENTAL
Celebrating films that challenge cinematic language and expand the boundaries of form.

AWARD FOR BEST INDEPENDENT
Dedicated to exceptional micro-budget or independently produced films marked by originality and artistic ambition.

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
Recognizing a remarkable acting performance within a selected short film.

STUDENT PRIZE
Awarded to an exceptional film created within an academic context, highlighting emerging talent and fresh cinematic voices.

SHORT TO THE POINT
International Short Film Festival
Budapest, Hungary
17–21 March 2027

Rules & Terms

Please read the following Rules & Terms carefully before submitting your film. By submitting a short film to SHORT TO THE POINT (STTP), you acknowledge and agree to comply with these regulations.
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Article 1 – Festival Identity

SHORT TO THE POINT is an international short film festival held annually in Budapest, Hungary.
The festival presents a carefully curated selection of short films from around the world, highlighting artistic vision, cinematic precision, and distinctive voices in contemporary short cinema.
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Article 2 – Objectives

The objective of STTP is to present and celebrate outstanding short films through a competitive international program and a public festival event in Budapest.
The festival seeks to foster dialogue between filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals.
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Article 3 – Festival Program

The official program may include:
• International Competition Screenings
• Award Ceremonies
• Q&A sessions with filmmakers
• Industry talks or panel discussions
• Special curated programs
The Festival Committee reserves the right to structure the program and screening schedule at its discretion.
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Article 4 – Competition Categories

SHORT TO THE POINT accepts short films in the following official categories:
• Narrative (Fiction/Live Action)
• Documentary
• Animation
• Experimental
• Independent / Low Budget
• Student
All genres are accepted within these categories.
The Selection Committee reserves the right to assign films to the appropriate category or special program section.
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Article 5 – Eligibility

• Films must not exceed 45 minutes in duration.
• There is no minimum runtime requirement.
• There is no restriction regarding the production date.
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Article 6 – Premiere Requirement

Films selected for the 2027 Budapest edition must have their Budapest Premiere at SHORT TO THE POINT.
Films that have been publicly exhibited in Budapest before the festival dates are not eligible.
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Article 7 – Language & Subtitles

The official language of the festival is English.
All films not in English must be subtitled in English.
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Article 8 – Selection Process

All submitted films are reviewed by the Festival Selection Committee.

The decisions of the Selection Committee and Jury are final.

Selected films will be notified by email following the conclusion of the selection process. The Official Selection will be publicly announced on the festival website prior to the event.
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Article 9 – Screening Format

Selected films must provide a high-quality screening copy in the format requested by the festival (DCP or high-resolution digital file).
Failure to provide a proper screening copy by the indicated deadline may result in disqualification.
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Article 10 – Awards

Awards presented at the festival may include:
• Grand Prix
• Special Jury Prize
• Audience Prize
• Best Animation
• Best Documentary
• Best Experimental
• Best Independent
• Outstanding Performance
• Student Prize
The Jury reserves the right not to award a prize in a specific category if deemed appropriate.
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Article 11 – Rights & Responsibilities

The person or institution submitting the film confirms that they hold all necessary rights for public screening and festival presentation.
By submitting a film, the submitter guarantees that:
• All rights (including music, archival material, images, and trademarks) have been cleared.
• The screening of the film at the festival does not infringe third-party rights.
The submitter agrees to indemnify SHORT TO THE POINT against any claims arising from copyright or rights violations.
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Article 12 – Promotional Use

By submitting a film, the submitter grants the festival the right to use excerpts (up to 2 minutes), still images, titles, and film information for promotional purposes related to the festival (website, social media, press materials, trailers).
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Article 13 – Submission Fees

All submission fees are non-refundable.
Changes to submitted films will only be accepted through a new submission and payment of the applicable fee.
Fee waivers are not provided.
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Article 14 – Final Provisions

Participation in the festival implies full acceptance of these Rules & Terms.

The Festival Committee reserves the right to modify these regulations if necessary.

In matters not covered by these Rules & Terms, the Festival Committee’s decision is final.