FILMFEST DRESDEN – International Short Film Festival

The 2027 regulations list Golden Horsemen for animation, short fiction, audience and youth-jury choices in the International and National Competitions. Additional distinctions include the Dresden Short Film Award of the German Film Critics Association, Saxon Film Promotion Prize, Central German Competition jury and audience awards, ARTE Short Film Prize, Sound Design award, “fully political” Short Film Award for Democratic Culture, and LUCA Gender Diversity Film Award. Awards remain subject to changes under the regulations.

For 2027, International and National Competition submissions are fiction or animation shorts, including hybrid forms, completed after 31 December 2024 and no longer than 30 minutes including credits. International Competition accepts non-German productions and German co-productions; National Competition accepts German productions and co-productions. No premiere is required. The Central German Competition also accepts documentary and experimental films up to 40 minutes with a connection to Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt or Thuringia. Official Selection accepts animation, fiction, documentary and experimental shorts up to 30 minutes. Submission is through Shortfilmdepot from 1 September to 1 December 2026. Non-English films require English subtitles. Selected screening copies are 35mm or DCP; re-submissions are not accepted. Submission fees are €10 for the International Competition and €8 for other submissions, plus Shortfilmdepot’s service fee.