Submit your short through FilmFreeway. We welcome films in every genre, from 60 seconds up to 30 minutes, from filmmakers around the world.
Submissions For 2027 Open December 1, 2026
Why Submit To SJSFF
The San Jose International Short Film Festival is an annual four-day festival of short films from around the world, held every October at Cinemark’s CineArts Theatre at Santana Row in San Jose, California. Here’s what selected filmmakers can expect:
- Your film on a big screen, the right way. Every film is projected in 4K from a DCP with up to 5.1 surround sound, in a state-of-the-art cinema with stadium-style seating.
- A real audience. More than 150 shorts screen across nearly 30 programs over four days, for packed Silicon Valley and Bay Area crowds, with filmmaker Q&As, Meet the Filmmaker events and after-parties.
- Awards and recognition. A festival jury names winners in nine categories, from Best of the Fest to Best Student Film, plus the Emerging Filmmakers Award, and audiences vote for Audience Choice favorites.
- Room for every kind of short. Drama, comedy, documentary, animation, sci-fi, horror, music-driven films and family shorts are all welcome, with runtimes from 60 seconds to 30 minutes. More than half of our selections are international, and films in any language are accepted with English subtitles.
- Good company. SJSFF is listed among MovieMaker Magazine’s “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” and our 2024 Best of the Fest winner, I’m Not a Robot, went on to win the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Read about more SJSFF winners who went on to the Oscars.
- A life after the festival. Our Awards pages feature every year’s winners and lineup, with links to watch selected films and trailers.
Have questions? See our festival FAQ, or submit through FilmFreeway when submissions open December 1, 2026.
About Submitting
Each year the San Jose International Short Film Festival delivers what every filmmaker dreams of; incredible image & sound reproduction of their work on the big screen, a receptive audience hungry for cinematic excellence and a supportive staff on hand to make the festival an experience of a lifetime. Combine that with temperate weather (each October) in the heart of Silicon Valley and you have the San Jose International Short Film Festival, now in its 18th amazing year.
Noted as one of the “Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine, our goal is simple; deliver the best of WORLD CLASS SHORT FILMS, films from every genre and style with runtimes from 60 seconds, up to 30 minutes in length.
We have an expanded focus on comedy, animation and shorts for kids & family viewers, plus dedicated screenings for adult animation (past films have ranged from CG Pixar-style animation to beautiful hand drawn Miyazaki-style traditional animation). Over 50% of our films hail as International entries and we accept any English-subtitled films in their native languages. Sci-fi has become a mainstay of the festival with brilliant thought-provoking storylines and exceptional visuals, and we have been carving out a niche for music based films (including music videos), showcased for our audiences.
Our audiences have enjoyed our special screenings, after-parties and our incredible Meet the Filmmaker events, where we explore the excellence in filmmaking first-hand with interviews prior to, and after screenings. In addition, each film is presented in 4K projection, (projected via DCP (Digital Cinema Package) with audio encoded with up to 5.1 surround channels.
Each October we present more than 150 short films over four days, bringing together filmmakers, industry executives, Silicon Valley notables and celebrities to mix and mingle with visitors and patrons seeking to discover new filmmakers and their talented projects. Every year dozens of filmmakers, actors and crew members join us in person, and we would love to meet YOU.
Rules & Terms
All films must be a min of one minute and no longer than 30 minutes, including credits and may cover any genre (note: always looking for more films under 5 min in length). Rough cuts and work-in-progress prints are acceptable as long as the final (completed) film can be delivered before notifications go out.
Our preferred method for submissions is via online screener, digital streaming via private link or password protected via Vimeo or similar sites.
Final screenings will be via DCP (Digital Cinema Package), please provide a DCP or we can have your film converted to DCP for a nominal fee. Sources can be high resolution DNxHD, ProRes, DPX or other professional formats.
All submission applications, disposable media and press kits submitted become property of EAP Creative, Emerging Artist Productions & the San Jose International Short Film Festival and will not be returned.
Upon acceptance, the San Jose International Short Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize and/or excerpt from any film submitted & accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional and marketing purposes. This will include the use of the filmmaker’s name, likeness & publicity stills, film or video footage, title, logline and synopsis of materials, in pre & post-competition publicity & promotional efforts.
The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The submitter shall indemnify and hold harmless San Jose International Short Film Festival, Emerging Artist Productions, EAP Creative, their officers and employees from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
In addition, said films may also be used in Road Show or Showcase exhibitions or other events and venues associated with SJSFF including the Yountville International Short Film Festival and other Best Of screening events.
Dates & Deadlines:
- 2027 dates and deadlines will be posted when submissions open on December 1st, 2026.
Awards
- Best of the Fest
- Best Drama
- Best Comedy
- Best Animation
- Best Documentary
- Best World Cinema
- Best Family Film
- Best Sci-Fi
- Best Student Film
- Emerging Filmmakers Award
- Audience Choice
Categories and Fees
- Earlybird Deadline
$35USD - Regular Deadline
$45USD - Late Deadline
$55USD - Extended Deadline
$65USD
Accepted Formats
- DCP (final submission)
- DNxHD
- ProRes
- DPX
- Other Professional Formats
2026 Award Winners
Announced Now
Congratulations to this year’s winners
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about submitting your short film.
How long can my film be?
Films must be at least one minute and no longer than 30 minutes, including credits. Films under 5 minutes are always especially welcome.
What kinds of films are you looking for?
Short films in every genre are welcome, including drama, comedy, documentary, animation, sci-fi, horror, family films and music-driven films such as music videos. The festival has an expanded focus on comedy, animation and shorts for kids and families, and it also holds dedicated screenings of adult animation. More than half of our selections are international.
Can I submit a rough cut or work in progress?
Yes. Rough cuts and work-in-progress versions are accepted, as long as the finished film can be delivered before notifications go out.
How should I send my film, and how will it be screened?
The preferred way to submit is an online screener: a private or password-protected link on Vimeo or a similar site. Selected films are projected in 4K from a DCP with up to 5.1 surround sound. You can provide your own DCP, or the festival can convert your film to DCP for a nominal fee from a high-resolution source such as DNxHD, ProRes or DPX.
When will the 2027 deadlines be announced?
Submissions for the 2027 festival open on FilmFreeway on December 1, 2026, and the 2027 dates and deadlines will be posted then.
Can the festival use my film for promotion?
Yes. Once a film is accepted, the festival may use excerpts, stills, the title, logline and synopsis, and the filmmaker’s name and likeness to promote the festival before and after the event. Accepted films may also be shown at related SJSFF events, such as Road Show or Showcase screenings, the Yountville International Short Film Festival and Best Of screenings.
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