Key dates & fees
Current open call for Southern Shorts Awards 2026–2027. Location: Roswell / Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Runtime: 30 minutes or less (including titles and credits).
Season dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening date | September 1, 2026 |
| Early entry deadline | December 31, 2026 |
| Regular entry deadline | March 31, 2027 |
| Late entry deadline | June 30, 2027 |
| Notification | July 31, 2027 |
| Festival / event date | August 28, 2027 |
Submission fees
| Deadline | Standard | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Early | $30 | $25 |
| Regular | $40 | $30 |
| Late | $50 | $35 |
FilmFreeway Gold member discounts apply at checkout. Fees may vary slightly by category; confirm on FilmFreeway before paying.
Eligibility
Short films of any age from anywhere in the world; horizontal format only. Student category is for filmmakers 21 or younger. Made in Georgia requires a Georgia address and mandatory director/producer attendance if selected.
Submit on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/SSA
How do I submit my film?
Submit through FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/SSA. Create an account, upload your film, and complete the submission form.
What are the current dates and fees?
Southern Shorts Awards 2026–2027 opens September 1, 2026. Early deadline December 31, 2026 ($30 standard / $25 student); Regular March 31, 2027 ($40 / $30); Late June 30, 2027 ($50 / $35). Festival date August 28, 2027 in Roswell / Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Confirm pricing on FilmFreeway before submitting.
Who is eligible to enter?
Short films of any age from anywhere in the world; horizontal format only. Student category is for filmmakers 21 or younger. Made in Georgia requires a Georgia address and mandatory director/producer attendance if selected.
What file formats do you accept?
We prefer H264 or MP4 compressed from a 1080p or 720p master. Minimum acceptable is H264 or MP4 at 480i. Do not submit raw camera files. Horizontal format only — vertical videos are not accepted.
Is there a runtime limit?
Films must be 30 minutes or less, including titles and end credits. End credits should be 60 seconds or less.
My film is not in English. Can I still enter?
Yes. Non-English films must include English subtitles burned into the video or as a separate subtitle file.
Do you provide feedback on every submission?
Yes. Every submitted film receives detailed scoresheets from all three judges, whether or not it receives an award. This written feedback is included in the submission fee at no additional cost — we are the only festival that does this.
When will I receive my results?
Results are typically sent within 30–60 days after the festival closes. You will receive an email with your scores and written judge feedback. Notification for the current season is July 31, 2027.
Can I enter a film I made years ago?
Yes. There is no completion deadline. We accept films of any age as long as they meet the technical and content requirements.
Can individual crew members win awards even if the film does not?
Yes. Individual achievement awards for directors, actors, cinematographers, editors, and other key crew are scored separately by each judge. A crew member can receive an award even if the overall film score falls below the award threshold.
Can I submit a work in progress?
No. We only accept completed films. Do not submit rough cuts, assembly edits, or films that are still being color graded or mixed.
What happens if my film has ads enabled on it?
Films with advertising enabled will be disqualified. Disable all monetization on your submission link before entering.
How many judges review each film?
Every film is reviewed by exactly three independent judges, all of whom have IMDb credits or equivalent professional experience in film and video production. Scores from all three are used to calculate your composite score.
How is the composite score calculated?
Each judge scores 10 criteria on a 1–10 scale, giving a maximum of 100 points per judge. Your composite score is the average across all three judges. Films scoring 70 or above receive a festival award.