How to Submit Your Film

Submitting your short film to The Short Film Show is simple, but it is worth taking a few minutes to prepare before you begin. This guide covers what you need to have ready, how the upload works, what you will be asked in the form, and what happens after you submit.

Our aim is to keep the process fair, transparent, and consistent for everyone. Whether you are emerging or experienced, every submission goes through the same workflow and review system.

  1. Prepare Your Assets

Before you start the form, make sure your materials are ready and easy to find.

We accept film files up to 2GB, in MP4 or MOV, in HD or 4K. For best results, upload a standard delivery export (very high bitrate formats like ProRes are not needed for submission).

When you open the submission form, you will see the upload field for your Main Film File near the top. Start with that first. While it uploads, you can usually continue filling out the rest of the form, but do not move on to the next step until the upload shows as complete.

Before uploading, check a few basics:

  • Export should be clean and final (no bars or tone, slates, watermarks, or timecode).
  • Audio should be clear and balanced.

Alongside your main film file, you will need:

  • Poster image (2:3, JPG or PNG). This is the vertical key art used across the platform.
  • Synopsis (around 100 to 200 words). A short, compelling description of your film.
  • Thumbnail. A still image from the film (a strong close-up or high contrast frame works well).
  • Hero banner. A wide feature image used for promotion (16:9 works best; avoid text where possible).

Optional assets (recommended where available):

  • Trailer
  • Behind the scenes image or clip

If your film includes non-English dialogue, you can upload subtitles in VTT or SRT format. If you do not have subtitles yet, you will be able to generate up to six languages from your filmmaker dashboard once your film is selected.

  1. The Submission Form

The form is split into clear sections.

A) Submitter Information
This collects your basic details as the filmmaker or rights holder (for example: name, contact email, and other verification details). This information stays private and is only used for account, rights, and payout purposes if your film is accepted.

B) About Your Film
This section includes the public-facing information shown on your film page. Film Title and Short Description are required.

Keep the title consistent with festival listings (or IMDb, if applicable) to avoid confusion. Think of the short description as your logline, the line that convinces someone to press play.

You will also see the main upload fields for:

  • Main film file (required)
  • Poster (required)
  • Thumbnail (required)
  • Trailer (optional, recommended)
  • Behind the scenes (optional)
  • Hero banner (optional)

It is usually best to start the main film upload first, then add the rest while it completes.

  1. Additional Information

This section helps us categorise your film properly and powers search, filters, and recommendations.

You will be asked for:

  • Runtime (HH:MM:SS)
  • Primary language (or No Dialogue)
  • Genre (choose the best fit; you can select more than one, but keep it accurate)
  • Country of production and filming locations (used for regional showcases)
  • Production type (narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, etc.)
  • Release or completion date
  • Content flags or warnings (violence, strong language, nudity, distressing themes, etc.)

You can also add optional details such as camera or lens (if known), aspect ratio, education or course context, and estimated budget.

This is also where you can link your social profiles and website or project pages, which helps viewers, press, and sponsors find you.

  1. Credits

Credits help give proper recognition and improve discoverability across the platform. You can add multiple names under each role, including directors, writers, producers, cast, and crew.

  1. Screenings, Awards and Distribution

If your film has screened at festivals or won awards, you can add that here. Each entry can include the event name, city, country, screening date, and award (if applicable). You can add as many entries as you like.

If you have a distributor or sales representative, you can include those details too (optional).

  1. Choose Your Licence

At the end of the form, you will choose one of two options:

Non-Exclusive Licence
Your film can remain available elsewhere (YouTube, Vimeo, festivals, etc.) while also appearing on The Short Film Show. You can still earn through the Filmmaker Impact Fund based on viewing on our platform.

Exclusive Licence
Your film streams only on The Short Film Show for the agreed term (typically 12 months). Exclusive films are prioritised for promotion across the platform and may be considered for the 24/7 broadcast channel. They may also receive additional weighting in the Filmmaker Impact Fund under the current rules, which can increase earning potential.

  1. Submission Fee and Review

To complete submission, you will pay a one-time 9.99 GBP submission fee. This helps cover hosting, bandwidth, and review administration, and supports the platform systems that fund filmmaker payouts.

After payment, your film enters the review queue and you will receive a confirmation email within minutes.

Every film is reviewed by the team. There are no algorithms deciding what is accepted. If your film is selected, it moves into preparation for scheduling and publication.

  1. After Submission

If your film is accepted, it will appear in your filmmaker dashboard as Selected. From there you will be able to:

  • Update optional details (synopsis, statements, links)
  • Track performance over time (views, watch time, etc.)
  • View Impact Fund reporting when available
  • Get notified if your film is featured on the homepage, in collections, or in showcases

If your film is not selected, you will receive a notification and, where possible, brief feedback. You are welcome to resubmit an improved version later.

  1. Best Practices

A few tips to avoid technical issues:

  • Use a reliable internet connection for the upload
  • Avoid heavy downloads or streams running in the background
  • Proofread your synopsis (it appears publicly)
  • Be accurate with content flags. They help viewers and support broadcast compliance
  1. What Happens Next

Once your film enters the review queue, you will be updated by email at key stages.

If selected, your film may be prepared for inclusion in the on-demand library, considered for the 24/7 channel (where appropriate), and included in curated collections such as Editor’s Choice or Festival Highlights.

11. Support

If you experience upload problems or need to clarify eligibility, contact the support team at support@theshortfilmshow.com. Please include your film title and any error message or screenshot when reaching out — it helps us resolve issues faster.

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