Short Short Story Film Festival

16th Edition - 2023

To submit a film:

1. Read the requirements below.

2. Fill out an entry form HERE (opens in new window).

3. Send a copy of the film to our WeTransfer page or via DropBox, WeTransfer, Google Drive, etc., to mergingartsfilm@gmail.com.

2023 Submissions

We are currently accepting submissions for the 2023 edition of the festival. Submission deadline is 16th October (11:59 pm US EDT).

Submission Requirements

There is no fee to submit a film for consideration.

Also, we are unable to pay screening fees for any film.

The length of the film including all credits must be at least 1 minute (1:00:00) and shorter than 6 minutes (5:59:xx).

The film must tell a story; this excludes public service announcements, trailers, music videos, non-narrative experimental pieces, etc.

Whether a piece is truly narrative is at the discretion of the submission review panel.

All genres and styles are considered, including live action and animation, documentary and fiction, drama and comedy, etc.

For 2023, we prefer films completed in 2023 or 2022. Films completed in 2021 may also be considered. Earlier films are ineligible.

Technical Guidelines

Resolution/Dimensions: We prefer 1080p, 2K, or 4K UHD.

Codec: H.264, H.265, AVC preferred. ProRes acceptable (file will be converted before screening)

Frame rate: 24 or 25 fps

Bit Rate: Between 5 Mbps and 20 Mbps, depending on resulting file size

File Size: Ideally around 500 MB, depending on length, maximum 1.0 GB

Subtitles: Embedded preferred but can accept .srt files or similar

As of January 2023, we are not accepting DCP submissions.

Other Recommendations

None of the following criteria disqualify a film but may count against films in consideration for acceptance:

  • Films under two minutes (2:00:00)
  • Films from 2021
  • Films available publicly online
  • Films that have played extensively in the US (especially northeastern US)
  • Subtitle problems (too small, poor contrast, excessive grammar/spelling errors)

Sending Film Files

To submit a file, you can send the film file to our WeTransfer page directly.

Otherwise, use a service such WeTransfer, DropBox, or Google Drive. Share with email address mergingartsfilm@gmail.com.

Filmmakers accepted into the festival are strongly encouraged to provide film stills and a photo of the filmmaker.