Shorts International Film Festival (27)

Фестиваль начинается: 27 Июнь 2026      Фестиваль заканчивается: 04 Июль 2026

ShorTS International Film Festival (ShorTS IFF) is organised by the Maremetraggio Association and financed by public entities and private sponsors.

Since 2000, ShorTS IFF has been a landmark for short films and up and coming cinematographers at international level. In every edition, ShorTS IFF aims to make the short film genre known to a broad and heterogeneous audience, with particular attention to the young with specific sections for children and teenagers aged 6 to 15.

Денежные призы: 10,000€

Selected films compete for a number of awards. Along with the best short film award as chosen by the audience, other awards will be assigned by one or more juries made up of diverse experts from the film industry appointed by the Festival management.

Maremetraggio section
Best short film award (4.000,00 €)
Best short film as chosen by the audience

ShorTS Express section
Best short film (1.000,00 €)

Italia in ShorTS section
Best short film (2.000,00 €)
AMC award – best editing

Eco-ShorTS section
Best short film (environmental themes) (1.000,00 €)

ShorTS Horror Picture Show section
Best short film as chosen by the audience

Shorter Kids’n’Teens section
Best short film (awarded by the Kids jury)
Best short film (awarded by the Teens jury)

ShorTS Virtual Reality section
Best virtual reality short film (1.000,00 €)
Best 6DoF experience (1.000,00 €)

The Artistic Direction of the Festival may add awards or change the above-mentioned awards as well as assign special mentions.

Please note that cash prizes are subject to taxation according to Italian law (25% – ex art. 30, 2°comma, DPR 600/73) and are intended for the director of the winning short film. Should the cash prize be collected by third parties (production or distribution) a disclaimer signed by the director is required.

Cash prizes must be claimed within one year after notification.

1. ORGANISATION

ShorTS International Film Festival (ShorTS IFF) is organised by the Maremetraggio Association and financed by public entities and private sponsors.

Since 2000, ShorTS IFF has been a landmark for short films and up and coming cinematographers at international level. In every edition, ShorTS IFF aims to make the short film genre known to a broad and heterogeneous audience, with particular attention to the young with specific sections for children and teenagers aged 6 to 15.

2. DATES AND DURATION

The 27th edition of ShorTS International Film Festival will be held in Trieste, Italy, from June 27 to July 4, 2026 for a total of 8 (eight) days.

3. COMPETITIVE SECTIONS

The Festival has seven competitive sections. In 2023, three new sections have been added to diversify and complete the thematic fields of the traditional Maremetraggio section. This year, a new competitive section dedicated to horror short films has been introduced.

3.1 MAREMETRAGGIO SECTION

This section is open to short films of all genres from all over the world with a maximum length of 20 minutes (including credits) and produced after January 2025.

3.2 SHORTS EXPRESS SECTION

This section is open to short films of any genre from all over the world with a maximum length of 5 minutes (excluding credits) and produced after January 2025.

3.3 ITALIA IN SHORTS SECTION

This section is open to Italian short films of any genre with a maximum length of 20 minutes (including credits), and produced after January 2025.

3.4 ECO-SHORTS SECTION

This section is open to short films of any genre from all over the world focussing on an environmental theme (in every aspect), with a maximum length of 15 minutes (including credits), produced after January 2025.

3.5 SHORTS HORROR PICTURE SHOW SECTION

This new section is intended as a tribute to horror genre cinema, seen as a celebration of imagination and the creative world of ideas, nightmares, and obsessions—yet always in contrast and resistance to the more insidious and disturbing horrors of everyday life. The section is dedicated to short films from all over the world, with a maximum duration of 20 minutes (including titles), produced after January 2025, and falling within the genres of horror, fantasy, grotesque, or gothic—whether animated, fictional, or experimental.

3.6 SHORTER KIDS’N’TEENS SECTION

This section – which consists of two different segments - is open to short films of any genre from all over the world dedicated to children and teenagers aged 6 to 15. Short films must not exceed 15 minutes (including credits) and must be produced after January 2025.

The selection of films is divided into two segments (Shorter Kids and Shorter Teens). It is carried out by two groups made up of children and teenagers, the Selecters, during a workshop of film education guided by the Artistic Direction of the Festival. Awards are assigned by two juries, made up of children aged 6 to 10 for the Kids segment and teenagers aged 11 to 15 for the Teens segment.

Particularly welcomed are short films, animated or not, suitable for children and teenagers aged up to 15, as well as short films focusing on themes such as tackling bullying, emotional education, education to legality, environmental education, inclusion and integration, equal opportunities and raising awareness against violence against women.

3.7 SHORTS IMMERSIVE SECTION

The section is divided into two competitions.

The first competition is open to VR short films from all over the world with a maximum length of 20 minutes.
Compatible formats are: Video 360 3D o 2D, codec H264, audio stereo or spatial AmbiX embedded.

The second competition is open to 6DoF experiences in VR or MR compatible with Meta Quest 3 standalone (NO PCVR).
The selection will also participate in the VR section of FEKK

4. SUBMISSIONS

Short films may be submitted by completing the online procedure on the following platform, on or before February 15, 2026:

Festhome (https://festhome.com/f/2418)

Films submitted become part of the Festival’s archive and may be screened by the Festival free of charge for educational purposes, research and other, in different locations and contexts linked to the Festival. These screenings are always and exclusively non-commercial.

5. SELECTED FILMS

Authors of the films selected will be contacted by the Festival offices and are required to provide all the materials requested by the given deadlines.
The selection of films is carried out by, and at the discretion of, the Artistic Direction of the Festival.

6. FILM SCREENINGS

The programme and screening schedules will be established by the Artistic Direction of the Festival and published once they have been defined.

7. GENERAL RULES

Each author is liable for the content of his or her works. Participants authorize the Festival to use their data for all purposes related to the event. The information given in the entry form will be published in the Festival catalogue and on the website.

Participation in the Festival implies the full understanding of this regulation, and compliance with its terms.

This regulation is issued in both Italian and English. In case of problems or inconsistencies relating to its interpretation, the Italian version shall prevail.