Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most common enquiries we receive from filmmakers.

Submit Your Film Now

  • Generally no. Only in exceptional circumstances, e.g. we have requested your film or you live in sanctioned country where it impossible to pay.

  • There is not. We do give priority to films that are making their premiere in our festival, but this is not a requirement.

  • A list of the criteria for each award category is here. We will email more information about our awards to filmmakers who are selected for our programme.

  • No. In the spirit of fairness to other filmmakers, we are very strict on our times. Credits are included in the length. If your film is a little over, we suggest trimming the credits. The same applies to music videos, they must be within 1-10mins long.

  • No, most likely not. Remember, it’s a very busy time for the Festival so it can take us up to two weeks to process entries. Please wait two weeks before emailing us.

  • To qualify in the New Zealand entry category your film must meet two of these four fundamental criteria:

    1) At least three key collaborator roles are New Zealanders or are New Zealand residents

    — Director

    — Producer

    — Writer

    — Editor

    — Lead Actor

    — Production Designer

    — Cinematographer/DOP

    2) The film is shot in New Zealand

    3)The story is based in New Zealand

    4)Post-production was carried out in New Zealand

  • We will let all filmmakers know the outcome of their submission by 1 August. Notification will be via FilmFreeway.

  • Yes. We accept entries that aren’t quite complete, so long as you enter through FilmFreeway before our entry deadline. Put a note with your submission and then send us the link to your password protected online screener as soon as possible. We will need to see a rough cut of whatever you have ready before our submission deadline closes. If your film is accepted, we will need the final version by mid-August. Please make sure you contact us before the entry deadline to discuss this with us.

  • The winners of our Best Film Award and our Best International Film Award may qualify for entry to the Academy Awards®. The accreditation covers all three of the short film Oscar® categories so if an animation wins one of the two main Show Me Shorts awards, it is eligible to enter the Academy Awards® in the Best Short Film (Animated) category. Likewise for a documentary or live action short film.

  • Yes! At Show Me Shorts we love animated and documentary films, they can (and frequently do) win Best NZ and Best International Film. This means they will be eligible for the Academy Awards® long list as part of our Academy Awards® accreditation.

  • Our Opening Night takes place in Auckland. Details will be announced via the news section of our website. Our Awards Night takes place in Auckland.

    Wellington Opening Night and Christchurch Opening Night events usually take place the following week.

  • The festival usually begins in the first week of October and runs throughout October and November, beginning in Auckland then spreading throughout the country. Dates and cinemas are generally announced by 1 September each year. Join our email newsletter list, and keep an eye out on our socials for more updates.

  • The final extended deadline is 1 July.

  • We offer small discounts to alumni filmmakers who have screened with us in the past, and to distributors who are entering a large number of films. Contact Mark in our office to enquire about this: info@showmeshorts.co.nz

  • The percentage of our selected films that come from submissions is 100%. Although we do invite some films we see at other festivals internationally, any invited films go through the same process.

  • There is a currently a proliferation of fraudulent and psuedo-festivals, which makes navigating the submission process difficult for filmmakers. To help guide filmmakers we offer a list of recommended festivals here. Show Me Shorts is also a member of the Short Film Conference – a network of international short film festivals that work collaboratively to share information and uphold high ethical and practical standards for delivering world-class short film festivals.