Berlin Indie Shorts Festival

About

SEASON 3

Multi-award-winning film directors Yuri Maslak & Olga Tugaeva invite you to take part in the Berlin Indie Shorts Festival, which takes place in the cinematic capital of Europe. Berlin is a city where different cultures and nationalities meet, a city where the spirit of freedom and creativity reigns.

Our festival was created by directors for directors. There are no formalities, only fair professional evaluation by an international jury and inspiring interaction with colleagues. We have no dress code or red carpet; the focus here is not on the beauty of the celebrity guests' outfits, but on your film. Our festival is a platform for discussion and collaboration, an opportunity to feel part of the process, regardless of status or fame.

The Berlin Indie Shorts Festival strives to present the most daring, innovative, and inspiring films from around the world, striking in their originality and unique approach to storytelling. Short films are the art of telling great stories with minimal resources, capturing a spirit in a matter of minutes and leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Here, short films cease being the "little brother" of feature films and acquire their own uniqueness and value.

Our festival is held four times a year at the legendary Heckmann-Höfe - our Berlin's Montmartre. Summer, fall, winter, and spring—each season is beautiful in its own way and brings its own unique inspiration. A fitting conclusion to each season is the live screening of the winning films and the award ceremony for their creators.

Welcome to Berlin!

NO CLICHÉS. NO LIMITS. JUST PURE ART.

Awards

Best Short Film - all categories

Best Feature Short Film

Best Documentary Short Film

Best Animated Short Film

Best Experimental Short Film

Best Debut Short Film

Best Super Short Film (under 10 minutes)

Best Black-and-white Short Film

Best AI Short Film

Best Musical Short Film

Best Drama Short Film

Best Comedy Short Film

Best Romantic Short Film

Best Horror Short Film

Best Thriller Short Film

Best Silent Short Film

Best Music Video

Best Director

Best Cinematography

Best Screenwriter

Best Casting

Best Original Music

Best Sound Design

Best Production Design

Rules

1. We accept short films up to 30 minutes, fiction, documentary, or other narrative forms, depending on the category.
We have a special preference for musical films. ‘Film for music, not music for film’ – this is the credo that defines our approach to film-making, where music becomes not just a background, but a full-fledged participant in the narrative.

2. Films in all languages are welcome. Non-English should include subtitles.
Subtitles must be clear, accurate, and appropriately timed to ensure accessibility for the audience.

3. Filmmakers must ensure they hold the necessary rights to all material submitted, including music, visuals, and any third-party content used in the film.
Any submissions found to violate copyright laws may be disqualified.

4. Filmmakers may submit multiple films for consideration.
Each film can be entered in multiple categories, provided it meets the specific criteria for each category.

5. By submitting a film, filmmakers grant the festival permission to use clips, trailers, and stills for promotional purposes.

6. Competition results are announced online each season.
All films awarded NOMINEE, HONORABLE MENTION, and WINNER status will be screened at a live screening and awards ceremony.
Part of our festival strategy is film promotion, so winners and official selection films will also be featured in promotional events, retrospectives, or encore screenings organized by the festival.
Screening dates are subject to adjustment and may deviate by several days from the initially scheduled timeline.

7. All submitted films must have a fully completed FilmFreeway page, including:
- Film in a high-quality digital format (e.g., MP4, MOV) suitable for large-scale projection with download support;
- Film trailer;
- Still photos;
- Synopsis;
- Photo and biography of the director.
Since part of our festival strategy is film promotion, we ask that you include the director's (film's) Instagram and Facebook pages.
Films with incomplete files, low resolution, or technical errors may not be considered.

8. Films must adhere to legal and ethical standards and should avoid content that violates age restriction guidelines applicable in the festival's location.

9. Films will be judged based on creativity, storytelling, technical execution, and originality.
Filmmakers will be notified of selection status via email within the timeline specified on the festival's website.

10. All fees are non-refundable.

11. All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by Berlin Indie Shorts Festival, without notice.

Premiere Requirements

No premiere requirement

Jury and Organizers

Yuri Maslak

Olga Tugaeva

Roman Sova

Leri Mikeladze