Years running: 16 (since 2011)
California International Shorts Festival
International Short Film Festival in California.
About
The CISF is extremely excited for its Fall showcase season and plans on becoming one of the bigger independent short film showcase arenas around. The passion and commitment that each filmmaker and writer puts into his or her work deserves to be acknowledged. This is why we here at the California International Shorts Festival take tremendous pride in putting on a memorable event and screening the works of the many talented, dedicated and unsung filmmakers. CISF’s 9 categories of competition: Narrative Shorts, Documentary Shorts, Animated Shorts, Experimental Shorts, Student Shorts, Foreign Shorts, Music Videos, Commercials and Short Scripts. Screenings will take place in Santa Monica CA (Los Angeles).
Awards
- Best Narrative Short
- Best Documentary Short
- Best Animated Short
- Best Experimental Short
- Best Student Short
- Best Foreign Short
- Best Music Video
- Best Commercial
- Best Script
- Honorable Mention
Rules
- Fill out on-line entry form (via Filmfreeway systems);
- Pay entry fees;
- Send DVD with submitted film by mail or download film via Filmfreeway system.
Premiere Requirements
No premiere requirement
Jury and Organizers
Timothy Zafer (Director).
Documents
Place
United States
Santa Monica
Official Website
Contacts
Contact Emails
- Opening DateDecember 08, 2025
- Regular DeadlineJanuary 01, 2026
- Late DeadlineJanuary 22, 2026
- Extended DeadlineFebruary 12, 2026
- Final FilmFreeway Final DeadlineMarch 26, 2026
- NotificationsJune 15, 2026
- Event Dates27 — 28 June 2026
Student produced or directed films. All Genres Accepted (Under 45 Minutes)
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
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Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Animated Shorts. (Under 45 Minutes).
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
-
Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Experimental Films that do now follow a traditional narrative format. (Under 45 Minutes).
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
-
Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Films produced outside of the United States. All Genres Accepted. (Under 45 Minutes)
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
-
Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Commercials. All topics and genres accepted. (Length of: 30 seconds minimum and maximum 10 minutes)
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
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Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Music Videos. All Genres Accepted. (Under 25 Minutes).
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
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Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Narrative short films. All Genres Accepted. (Under 45 Minutes).
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
-
Extended Deadline — $50
-
Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Documentary Shorts. All Topics Accepted. (Under 45 Minutes).
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
-
Extended Deadline — $50
-
Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Screenplays, Stage plays, and Teleplay's. All Genres and Topics Accepted. (Under 50 Pages).
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Regular Deadline — $40
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Late Deadline — $45
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Extended Deadline — $50
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Final FilmFreeway Final Deadline — $55
Festival Widget
