Rules & Guidelines

Films must be less than 30 minutes in length to enter this festival.

Preferred: An H264 or MP4 file compressed from the original 1080p or 720p master.
Minimum acceptable: An H264 or MP4 file at 480i. Do not rip from a DVD unless you have no other option.

• We prefer Vimeo to YouTube as the hosting platform.
• Do NOT enable ads on your film or it will be disqualified without refund.
• Do NOT put logo bugs or any other overlays on the film.
• Do NOT start your film with a countdown slate — they are a waste of time.
• We prefer end credits to be 60 seconds or less. (ALL film festivals hate long end credits, BTW.)
• Experimental films will be reclassified as Review Only, regardless of which category they are entered under.
• All films are scored and may receive an award for the film and/or cast or crew.
• Laurels are ONLY awarded to films shown at the festival and are not sent until AFTER the festival.

We ONLY screen the top 3 award-winning films in each genre and films scoring 70 or higher. Your film may receive an award yet NOT be accepted for the festival.

All films must earn the privilege of being screened. We do not “curate” — selection is by score alone. In addition to ranking in the top three of a genre, films must score a minimum of 75 to be included in the festival. Films scoring 80+ may be shown even if not top three, depending on programming time. Top three films scoring 70–74 may be considered at the festival director’s discretion.

If your film scores in the top 3 of your category, you may be asked to guarantee Producer/Director attendance. Failure to attend after guaranteeing attendance can result in forfeited awards.

Student entries

Films must be produced by those under 21. This category is not for filmmakers with professional experience. We reserve the right to reclassify entries. If rejected, you will be refunded and must re-enter under the proper genre at the non-Student fee.

Made in Georgia

The majority of your film must have been produced in Georgia and you must supply a Georgia address. If selected for screening, the Producer and/or Director must attend the festival — this is mandatory.

Review only

For films that do not fit stated genres. These films are scored, receive judges’ comments, and can earn awards, but are not eligible for festival competition or screening. We may move any film into this category at our discretion.

• We do NOT grant fee waivers, but may consider giving a discount.
• We do not grant waivers to Iranian films — they may enter via Cineport.
• We do not pay screening fees.

1. 1Seasonal short film competition — max 30 minutes including titles and credits. Longer entries are disqualified.
2. 2Non-English films must be subtitled. Have a native English speaker check translations. Subtitles must stay legible after Vimeo recompression — we recommend Helvetica in white with a black outline.
3. 3Submit only via FilmFreeway. No Dropbox, WeTransfer, or similar services.
4. 4No “completion by” deadline — films of any age are accepted.
5. 5Works in progress are not accepted.
6. 6Submit the final version — you cannot change your film link after submission.
7. 7Re-edited films may be resubmitted in future seasons at full entry fee.
8. 8We do not accept pornographic, propaganda, hate, politically agenda-driven, or religious proselytizing films.
9. 9Keep opening titles to ~30 seconds and end credits under one minute for festival screeners.

1. Southern Shorts Awards may use an excerpt from any submitted film for promotional purposes.
2. Southern Shorts Awards may share your contact information when someone inquires about your production.
3. The submitter warrants they are authorized to submit the film and accepts all requirements.
4. You authorize festival exhibition and accept full legal responsibility for intellectual property. You indemnify Southern Shorts Awards against claims involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of screening materials.
5. Non-winners are notified by email with their scoresheet. Results may be delayed by entry volume.
6. Winners receive scoresheets, PDF certificates, and laurels by email. Printed certificates, plaques, and trophies must be purchased.

Music video

A short film created primarily to promote a specific musical recording or live performance, where the music and its visual presentation are the central focus of the piece.

Web series / webisode

A self-contained episode from an ongoing web-based series. Each episode must stand alone as a complete short film experience within the 30-minute limit.

Review only

Films entered for scoring and feedback only — not eligible for festival competition or public screening regardless of score.