Vilnius Short Film Festival opens new call for submissions
Vilnius Short Film Festival, the only festival in Lithuania qualifying for the Oscar® and European Film Awards, has launched a new call for entries for its International and National competitions. One of the largest short film festivals in the Baltic countries, Vilnius Short Film Festival presents the newest and most significant short films from all around the world, while also gathering together filmmakers, industry representatives, and cinema enthusiasts. The festival’s 19th edition will take place from January 21 to 27, 2026, in Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities.
Vilnius Short Film Festival has become a unique platform in Lithuania, screening global short films made by both emerging and established talents. Every year, an international jury selects the Best National and Best International Short Films, and also awards one film with the Grand Prix. The winning films compete for the following distinctions: an Oscar® (Academy Award) nomination—granted exclusively to the Grand Prix winner—and the title of Vilnius Short Film Festival Candidate for the European Film Awards in the European Short Film category.
Vilnius Short Film Festival holds the International Competition, which features up to 35 of the most acclaimed short films from the past two years. It welcomes short films from all countries, encompassing various production techniques and genres such as fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, or hybrid, ranging from low to high budgets. Eligible short films for the International Competition must have been completed after January 1, 2024, and should not exceed 30 minutes in duration. For the International competition, the festival requires a Lithuanian premiere. The early bird submission deadline (free of charge) is 31 May, while the final deadline is 15 July (with a submission fee of 9 Euros).
In addition, the Festival hosts a National Competition showcasing up to 15 of the newest Lithuanian short films. The National Competition mirrors the International Competition regarding short films’ eligibility criteria, also for the first time requires National premiere status. For the National Competition, the early bird deadline is 31 May, and the final deadline is 15 August (with a submission fee of 9 Euros).
To demonstrate solidarity with Ukrainian creators, the festival offers a fee waiver for films originating from Ukraine or produced by a Ukrainian creative team. Filmmakers eligible for this waiver should reach out to the organizers via email at programming@filmshorts.lt.
Vilnius Short Film Festival programming team consists of film director and screenwriter Andrius Blaževičius, film journalist, member of FIPRESCI Ieva Šukytė, and film researcher and curator Mantė Valiūnaitė.
In addition to the International and National Competitions, Vilnius Short Film Festival presents a variety of special non-competitive programs, including retrospectives of established filmmakers, screenings for children, youth, and seniors, as well as thematic and country-focused short film selections. Complementing the festival screenings are numerous events for both the general public and film industry professionals. Each year, the festival hosts a dedicated Industry Day program tailored for filmmakers and other industry professionals, offering networking opportunities, workshops, and seminars. Beyond the cinema, the festival also invites audiences to enjoy music and interactive events, family-friendly workshops, and late-night screenings.
Submissions can only be made via the www.shortfilmdepot.com platform: here. Regulations: here.
The festival is organised by the Lithuanian Short Film Agency LITHUANIAN SHORTS, funded by the Lithuanian Film Centre, Vilnius City Municipality.