Pittsburgh Shorts & Script Competition

Pittsburgh Shorts presents the best contemporary short films from around the world and around the corner. The festival has gained a reputation for curating an extremely high caliber of films, including those that have gone on to be Oscar nominees and winners. With a well-respected short script competition in partnership with Carnegie Screenwriters, Pittsburgh Shorts has become a destination festival for creators from around the world. Pittsburgh Shorts includes well-attended screenings in a beautiful theater, thoughtful filmmaker Q&As, live script readings by professional actors, generous cash awards, and networking events including a well-stocked filmmakers’ lounge and super fun after parties! This year’s festival includes a can’t-miss filmmaking conference with workshops and panel discussions led by industry pros. Thanks to Covid-19, the 2020 festival was presented virtually as part of a combined Fall Festival. But we’re anxious to get back to normal and plan to present Pittsburgh Shorts in November 2021 in the theater if it’s safe to do so. If the festival must be presented virtually again, we will update this listing and contact filmmakers by October. Either way, the show will go on! We hope you’ll submit your project and experience the festival other filmmakers have raved about. As a previous attendee said, "The Pittsburgh Shorts festival is one of the most professionally and thoughtfully run festivals I have had the pleasure of attending as a filmmaker and guest. Having had films in other festivals, including Sundance and Tribeca, I can confidently say that Pittsburgh Shorts is run as well as those, and with the character of Pittsburgh. The staff did an incredible job of attracting real talent to submit and attend this brand new festival. They kept the filmmakers networking all day and night, and we closed the bars with our after parties each night.” You won’t want to miss it!