Leiden Shorts

Open Doors to Your Shorts – 2027 Call for Entries

In times of constant change, short films remind us that another perspective is always possible. They challenge dominant narratives, celebrate singular voices, and make room for stories that refuse to fit neatly into the world as we know it. Bold, urgent, playful, and uncompromising, they continue to redefine what cinema can be.

For the 19th edition of Leiden Shorts, we're once again opening our doors to filmmakers from around the world whose work challenges, moves, delights, and lingers long after the credits roll. We’re looking for films that take creative risks, embrace original voices, and remind us why cinema remains one of the most powerful ways to connect. Have you made a short film in the past year that matches that vision?

Fiction. Documentary. Experimental. Animation. Or anything else.

No matter the form, if your short film was completed after 1 January 2026, runs 30 minutes or less, and dares to captivate, we want to see it light up the screen in Leiden in our global celebration of cinema.

Films can be submitted to the following competitions:

• International Competition – A showcase of some of the finest short films from across the globe, this programme brings together distinctive voices and daring visions, highlighting the richness and diversity of contemporary short cinema.
• National Competition – Dedicated to short films produced in the Netherlands, this competition spotlights local talent and offers a platform for both emerging and established Dutch filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience.
• Brand New Eyes Competition – A stage for fresh perspectives, this competition celebrates debut films - from student filmmakers around the world to first-time directors working outside of academic contexts. Here, new voices find their way to the screen.

Awards

The films in these programmes will compete for a financial award, which will be decided by a professional jury. Additionally, all selected films will compete for the Audience Award.

Submission Deadlines & Fees

International Competition & National Competition

Brand New Eyes Competition

About the Festival

Leiden Shorts was established in 2009 as a new platform for short films and has since grown into one of the most significant short film events in the Netherlands. We envision Leiden Shorts as an alternative creative space for national and international filmmakers to showcase their distinct voices by exploring the power of short film as a medium. We view cinema as a tool for social change and aim to spotlight underrepresented voices, providing space for daring narratives and unconventional forms to take shape.

Each year, Leiden Shorts receives over 1,700 submissions from more than 70 countries. Over the course of five days, the festival presents more than 120 short films in a variety of genres from around the world. Our core programme includes three competitions—for national, international, and debut or student films—along with thematic and focus programmes, industry and networking events, and opportunities for in-depth discussion through panels, Q&As, and workshops. Alongside the public programme, the Leiden Shorts Industry Days bring together filmmakers, producers, distributors, programmers, and other industry professionals through a dynamic programme of consultations, talks, networking events, and project development opportunities, creating new collaborations across the European short film landscape. Leiden Shorts continues to be a vibrant, evolving festival that nurtures talent, broadens perspectives, and creates meaningful opportunities for connection.

For any questions, do not hesitate to contact us via submissions@leidenshorts.nl

Rules & Terms

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