Short Film Festivals – how they create community, and why it matters

OCA Film and Media Production Tutor, Sue Lewis shares her tips for success

We always tell our students to enter film festivals for the experience, exposure and exchange of ideas, but what is often overlooked is how they generate a willing and generous creative community, ready and waiting for you to reach out and get involved. While your films may go on to other metropolitan festivals and awards, when you are starting out, the support you need to grow your career can often be found at local film festivals.

It’s not just about making the ‘cut’

The UK has regional film hubs and offices which support up-and-coming filmmakers, film production and visiting film crews. They can also help you apply for funds, stand out in crew listings and build your industry network. They usually have a presence at their local film festival, creating the perfect opportunity to chat to them and find out how they can support you.

While your film might not get selected, your name and work will be seen by the judges and you may do better the following year. Unless they stipulate a more international remit, festivals tend to look out for emerging talent and new voices from their region. 

Finding inspiration and fellowship

Building your community is key to your success beyond your studies. Networking often feels like hard work, but chatting and building a rapport with fellow filmmakers or moving image practitioners at a festival is much easier, as you have the shared experience of attending a screening together.

If you are just starting on your filmic journey and not ready to enter a film, you can still be involved in the festival experience. Many film festivals run talks, workshops, or put out call-outs for volunteers or pre-selectors to watch and rate the short film submissions. The Independent Cinema Office jobs board routinely posts opportunities. While you might not get paid, you will get to meet many fellow filmmakers, learn from professionals in the industry, and watch a wide range of short films to learn what works, and what doesn’t. You’ll also learn what mistakes to avoid and how to develop your own priorities as a filmmaker, scriptwriter, cinematographer or production designer. Do you value visuals over dialogue, careful shot construction over performance, or fast paced editing over long held shots that lets the narrative unfold in front of you?

If you can’t volunteer, why not join the Letterboxd community to review festival films, or read what others thought about them. For example, here’s last year’s Aesthetica Short Film Festival films, which our students got to see at our annual study visit.

Right film, right festival

Don’t forget to do your research! Film Freeway is a great portal to the film festival world, allowing you to upload your work, and look up festivals and their criteria. Consider their criteria carefully to ensure your film is appropriate for the themes and requirements of the festival you’re applying for. Some festivals require you to submit a Digital Cinema Projection (.DCP) file of your film, so learning how to do this via sites like dcpomatic.com/ is recommended!

Short means ‘short’

Don’t make your short film too long. Anything over 20 minutes is not usually considered a ‘short film’ (apart from the Oscars’s shorts which seem to be anything up to 45mins!) and programmers tend to prefer films around 10-15 minutes and under, as they can fit more films into their schedule.

Like any creative practice, understanding your craft is a key to developing your own voice, and film festivals are a great way to do this, and you never know who you will bump into, or who will see your film.

Here’s a film Sue edited for Cornwall Film Festival 2025, where iconic film critic Mark Kermode shares the joy of film festivals:

Want to start your journey in the film and media industry? Enrolment is now open for the September 2026 intake!

Whether you’re looking to create your first film, learn the principles of audio production or experiment in motion graphics, this course will introduce you to the dynamic and diverse world of film and creative media production. Find out more about what this course can offer you.Submit your enrolment form today!

Header image credit: “Curtain Call” by v1ctory_1s_m1ne is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.