We are seeking cinematic narrative-style short films with strong audience appeal. The films must be between 2-20 minutes long, and made within the previous two years. They can be any genre, and made in any country. We accept animation, documentary, comedy, horror, drama and everything in between. We don’t have a premiere requirement, but we do prioritise films that are making their premiere in our festival.

We also accept New Zealand music videos between 1-10 minutes long. As with the short films, we are primarily seeking cinematic films that offer a narrative or strong story telling perspective.

Each year our experienced programming team curates a selection of the best short films and music videos from thousands of submissions that come in from around the world. Diversity is at the heart of our programming strategy. The stories in our short films offer audience members the chance to escape into new worlds, learn more about ourselves and connect with others.

Work with the best: We’ve been doing this for almost two decades. We have the experience, the relationships and the passion.

Win awards: All selected films compete for a range of awards and a prize pool valued at more than NZ$40,000. Show Me Shorts is proud to be New Zealand’s first Academy Awards® accredited festival, with the winners of our Best NZ Film and Best International Film awards becoming eligible for entry to the Oscars®. Check out the Awards page of our website for the full list of awards and prizes.

Get representation: We act as a sales agent for many of the New Zealand short films that have screened in our festival.

Learning & development opportunity: As part of the festival, Show Me Shorts provides resources, professional development and networking opportunities for filmmakers through our Short Film Talks, Filmmaker Resources and Screenwriting Lab. To get the most out of your festival experience with Show Me Shorts make sure you sign up to our monthly e-mail newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We provide regular updates about festival programming, workshops, awards, news and opportunities.

Earlybird Deadline: 1 April (shorts US$20 / music videos US$5)

Regular Deadline: 1 May (shorts US$30 / music videos US$10)

Late Deadline: 1 June (shorts US$40 / music videos US$15)

Extended Deadline: 1 July (shorts US$50 / music videos US$20)

By submitting your film or music video for the Show Me Shorts Film Festival you agree to the following rules:

EXHIBITION RIGHTS: If your film is selected for the film festival, we have the right during the Festival Period to exhibit your film or music video in cinemas and on our secure online platform that will be geo-blocked to New Zealand (the “Exhibition Rights”). You agree that we are entitled to retain all revenue generated from the Exhibition Rights.

The “Festival Period” is provisionally scheduled from 6 October to 31 October 2024 (inclusive) for nationwide venues (excluding Stewart Island) and from 3 January 2025 to 21 January 2025 (inclusive) at the Stewart Island venue only. You acknowledge that the Festival Period may be subject to change. If we need to change the Festival Period for any reason, we may do so upon notice to you or by updating these Rules .

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• AGE: you must be at least 18 years old to enter your film or music video.

• FEES: we must receive payment of your entry fee.

• GENRE: Films and music videos can be any genre, including documentary and animation.

• LENGTH: Films are to be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 20 minutes in length (including end credits). Music videos must be no less than 1 minute and no more than 10 minutes in length.

• COMPLETION DATE: Films and music videos must have been completed not more than two years before the opening date of the festival.

• SUBTITLES: All entries with dialogue not in the English language must be subtitled in English.

• UNFINISHED FILMS: Please contact us before the entry deadline to request permission to submit an incomplete film, or to have an extension granted.

ENTRY FEES: Entry fees are non-refundable.

ENTRY CATEGORIES: The Show Me Shorts Film Festival has three categories of entry:

• NEW ZEALAND SHORT FILMS: Films made by New Zealanders or with significant New Zealand content are eligible for the ‘New Zealand short films’ entry category;

• INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS: Films made without significant NZ contribution or content are eligible for the ‘International short films’ entry category;

• NEW ZEALAND MUSIC VIDEOS: New Zealand music videos are eligible for the ‘New Zealand music video’ entry category.

SELECTION: not all entries will be selected for the Show Me Shorts Film Festival. Our judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

You may withdraw your submission at any time prior to 26 July 2024 for the Show Me Shorts Film Festival by contacting the festival organisers at info@showmeshorts.co.nz. A refund will be available at Show Me Shorts’ discretion, if your short film has not been watched by a progammer.

COMPETITION: The following applies where prizes are offered as part of the Show Me Shorts Film Festival:

• Films only qualify for awards competition if they have not previously been shown publicly on the Internet or TV in New Zealand. (This does not apply to music videos.)

• All judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

• Prizes and any specific competition rules will be as set out on our website or as otherwise confirmed to you.

• Prizes are personal to the winners and are non-transferable unless we agree.

• We reserve the right to choose another winner if you’re in breach of these Rules (e.g., you don’t meet the Entry Requirements).

• We reserve the right to replace any prize with an alternative prize of equal or higher value if circumstances beyond our control makes it necessary to do so.

• You are responsible for all insurance, tax or other costs that may be associated with any prize .

SCREENING FEES: Show Me Shorts Film Festival does not pay screening fees.

PROMO USE: If your film or music video is selected for the film festival, you grant us the right to use up to 30 seconds of your production for TV, cinema advertising, video, internet, and all other electronic media for promotional purposes.

COPIES: We may make copies of films and music videos that are selected for the purposes of censorship, obtaining media reviews/stories and for exhibition purposes.

RIGHTS CLEARANCE: You warrant to us that you have obtained all the necessary permissions to enter your film or music video into the Show Me Shorts Film Festival and that our use of the Exhibition Rights will not infringe the rights, including copyright, of any third party. This includes the use of any sound clips and music.

LIABILITY: You agree that Show Me Shorts Film Festival, it's board, sponsors and partners, and judges, individually and collectively will not be held responsible for any direct or indirect losses, damages, costs and liabilities arising out of or in connection with this agreement, our use of your film or music video, or the Show Me Shorts Film Festival .

INFORMATION: The personal information you provide to us is collected for the purposes of Show Me Shorts Film Festival only. You consent to any such information being used for the above purpose by Show Me Shorts Film Festival whose address is Room 5, Level 2, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand. You may request access to and if necessary correction of any personal information which we hold about you.

These rules are governed by the laws of New Zealand.

Show Me Shorts has three categories of entry.

NZ films – Films made by New Zealanders or with significant New Zealand content are eligible for the ‘New Zealand short films’ entry category.

International films – Films made without significant NZ contribution or content are eligible for the ‘International short films’ entry category.

NZ music videos – New Zealand music videos are eligible for the ‘New Zealand Music video’ entry category.