Frequently asked questions

What is The Short Film Show?

A streaming platform for hand-picked independent short films from around the world, in many languages, with a 24/7 channel and apps for iOS and Android. It began as a TV series of the same name, which ran for two seasons.

Is it free?

You can watch for free. The free plan gives you 30 minutes of films a month in standard definition, with ads. Trailers and the 24/7 channel don’t count towards the 30 minutes. Ad-Free removes the limit. Compare the plans

How can I watch?

On the web at theshortfilmshow.com, in the iOS and Android apps, or on the 24/7 channel at channel.theshortfilmshow.com. You can browse and watch trailers without an account, and the channel needs none. To watch a full film you need a free account, and it takes a minute.

Can I watch on my TV?

Open theshortfilmshow.com or channel.theshortfilmshow.com in your smart TV’s browser. There is no TV app and no casting, so the TV’s browser is the way in. All the ways to watch

Are films subtitled?

Hundreds of films are subtitled, in up to six languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic and Simplified Chinese. Subtitle tracks come from the filmmaker, or we make them. Subtitles start off. When a film has subtitles in your language they come on for you, and you can change the language or turn them off in the player’s subtitle menu. Films with subtitles

What happens when I use my 30 free minutes?

A message appears in the player asking if you’d like to upgrade. You can close it and keep watching, and we never stop a film part-way through. The allowance starts again at the beginning of each month.

How much is Ad-Free?

£5.99 a month or £58 a year. You get unlimited films, HD up to 1080p, Continue Watching, the full film details and behind-the-scenes extras, and playback on 2 devices at once. It takes away the adverts the free plan shows. What each plan includes

How do I cancel?

On the website, open the menu under your profile picture, choose Subscription, then Change Plan, and press Cancel Subscription on your current plan. Your plan stays active until the end of the period you’ve paid for, then you return to the free plan.

Can I get a refund?

We don’t refund a billing period that’s partly used. When you cancel, your plan stays active until the end of the period you’ve paid for. If something has gone wrong, write to us through the contact form and choose Account / Login / Subscription. None of this affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

Filmmakers: a Fast-track payment (£19) is refunded in full, automatically, if we miss its 7 days. Fast-track terms

Can I rate and review films?

Yes. Every film page has a Ratings tab where signed-in viewers can leave a star rating and, if they like, a short review.

Viewer ratings show what the audience thought of a film. Editor’s Choice is chosen by our team, not by ratings.

Is there an app?

Yes, for iOS and Android. Get it on the App Store or Google Play. It has the same films as the website and the same account. About the app

I can’t log in.

Use Forgot Password on the sign-in page. We’ll email you a one-time code, and you can then set a new password. If it still doesn’t work, contact us. Step by step

How do I delete my account?

Open the menu under your profile picture, choose Edit Profile, and use Delete My Account at the bottom. We sign you out and cancel any subscription immediately: it will not renew and you won’t be charged again, and the rest of a period you’ve paid for is not refunded. You have 30 days to ask us to restore the account. Films you submitted stay on the platform under the licence you agreed.

Why is my film buffering?

Check your connection, lower the quality in the player if you can, and restart the app or your router. More fixes

How do I submit my film?

Create an account and start your submission, then upload your film with a poster, a hero banner and a synopsis. Submitting is free. A standard review can take up to 3 months, because of the number of films we receive. Fast-track costs £19 and gets you a decision within 7 days of your payment, with three lines of notes from the reviewer. Fast-track places are limited, so it can be full when you submit. How to submit your film · How review and Fast-track work

What films do you take?

Any genre, up to 59 minutes, as H.264 in an MP4 or MOV file, 720p to 1080p, under 5 GB. You need to be 18 or over. Our submission agreement says (clause 2.2): “Individuals under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from submitting Content directly.”

Can I submit a film that has already been shown elsewhere?

Yes, as long as you hold the rights to show it on our platform. With an Exclusive licence the film can’t be on other platforms during the exclusive period.

Do I retain ownership of my film?

Yes. You retain full ownership. By submitting, you grant us a non-exclusive or exclusive licence (depending on your agreement) to showcase your film on our platform. Exclusive or non-exclusive?

What happens if my film is not selected?

If your film is not selected, we’ll email you to let you know. It isn’t a judgement on you as a filmmaker, and we’d genuinely welcome a different film from you in the future. What each status means

Are there any other fees?

No. Submitting is free. Keeping your film on The Short Film Show costs you nothing either. Fast-track (£19) is optional, if you want a decision within 7 days of your payment. If viewers tip you, a service and processing fee comes out of each tip.