VILNIUS INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (VISFF) 2024

Vilnius - Lithuania

From January 17, 2024 to January 23, 2024

VILNIUS INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL ŠILTADARŽIO STR. 6, LT01124 VILNIUS, LITHUANIA

+37062835040 programming@filmshorts.lt www.filmshorts.lt

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

Vilnius International Short Film Festival (Vilnius ISFF) is one of the biggest short film festivals in the Baltic countries, presenting the newest and best short films from all around the world.

Established in 2006, the festival has become a unique platform in Lithuania, not only screening European but also global short films made by both the upcoming generation of talented filmmakers and renowned film directors.

Each year Vilnius ISFF holds the International Competition, which involves up to 35 most acknowledged short films from the last two years, and the National Competition, which presents a condensed selection of Lithuanian short films. The festival also features several non-competition programmes – theme-based short film selections, country focus, retrospectives, films for kids, programmes curated by teenagers and seniors and special programmes of partnering film festivals.

The 17th edition of the Vilnius International Short Film Festival will take place on 17–23 January 2024 as a hybrid event: films will be screened on-site in Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities as well as on local VoD platform (geo-blocked to Lithuanian territory).

Films selected for the International and National Competitions are considered by the 3-member International Jury. Films compete for the following awards:
— Festival Grand Prix (monetary prize and a trophy; both International and National Competition films are eligible for this award)
— Best International Short Film (monetary prize and a trophy)
— Best Lithuanian Short Film (monetary prize and a trophy)
The Jury can also award special mentions with no monetary prize or a trophy attached.

Vilnius ISFF is organized by the Lithuanian Short Film Agency LITHUANIAN SHORTS.

Opening submissions: April 3, 2023
Free earlybird deadline: May 31, 2023 Free
Final deadline: July 15, 2023 5 EUR
Notification of results: November 15, 2023

Preview format:
-Uploaded file (1 stamp)

Requirements:
1) Films completed after: 1 January 2022
2) Maximum duration: 30 min.
3) Country of production: all countries (except Lithuania and Russian Federation)
4) Screening format: Screening format accepted: digital file (Format - MP4; Codec - H264; Bitrate minimum 10mbps; Resolution - HD (1920x1080); Sound (5.1 or stereo))
5) Accepted genres: fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, hybrid
6) Non-eligible: Films that have previously been submitted to the Festival, also works-in-progress are not accepted.
7) Withdraw: Submissions may not be withdrawn from the festival once they have been entered, except at the sole discretion of the festival.
8) Ban on Russian films: In response to the Russian aggression and the invasion of Ukraine, the Festival boycotts any associations with any entity, organisation or production that is backed, funded and endorsed by the Russian state, and therefore banns submissions of films produced or co-produced by Russian Federation.
9) No fee for Ukrainian films: For films produced in Ukraine and by Ukrainian filmmakers, we offer to waive the submission fee. For the fee waiver and free stamp, contact programming@filmshorts.lt

NATIONAL COMPETITION

Vilnius International Short Film Festival (VISFF) is one of the biggest short film festivals in the Baltic countries, presenting the newest and best short films from all around the world.

Established in 2006, the festival has become a unique platform in Lithuania, not only screening European but also global professional short films made by the upcoming generation of talented filmmakers.

Each year Vilnius International Short Film Festival holds the International Competition, which involves up to 35 most acknowledged short films from the last two years. There is also a National Competition, which presents a condensed selection of Lithuanian short films. Films are judged and awarded by the International Jury. The festival also features several special non-competition programmes - retrospectives, kids programme and special theme-based short film selections.

The 16th edition of the Vilnius International Short Film Festival will take place on 18-24 January 2023 as a hybrid event: films will be screened on-site in Vilnius and other Lithuanian cities as well as on local VoD platforms (geo-blocked to Lithuanian territory).

Films selected for the International and National Competitions are considered by the 3-member International Jury. Films compete for the following awards:
— Festival Grand Prix (monetary prize and a trophy) (both International and National Competition films are eligible for this award)
— Best International Short Film (monetary prize and a trophy)
— Best Lithuanian Short Film (monetary prize and a trophy)
The Jury can also award special mentions with no monetary prize or a trophy attached.

VISFF is organized by the Lithuanian Short Film Agency LITHUANIAN SHORTS.

Opening submissions: April 3, 2023
Free earlybird deadline: June 30, 2023 Free
Final deadline: August 15, 2023 5 EUR
Notification of results: November 15, 2023

Preview format:
-Uploaded file (1 stamp)

Requirements:
1) Films completed after: 1 January 2022
2) Maximum duration: 30 min.
3) Country of production: Lithuania (In case of co-production, a film is eligible if it shows a majority co-production with 50% Lithuanian participation)
4) Screening format: digital file (with English subtitles (burned-in) and clean): format - MP4; Codec - H264; Bitrate minimum 10mbps; Resolution - HD (1920x1080); Sound (stereo);, A DCP file (with burned-in English subtitles).
5) Accepted genres: fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, hybrid
6) Withdraw: Submissions may not be withdrawn from the festival once they have been entered, except at the sole discretion of the festival.
7) No fee for Ukrainian films: For films produced in Ukraine or by Ukrainian filmmakers, we offer to waive the submission fee (applicable from 21 June to 20 July). For the fee waiver, contact office@filmshorts.lt
8) Ban on Russian films: In response to the Russian aggression and the invasion of Ukraine, the Festival boycotts any associations with any entity, organisation or production that is backed, funded and endorsed by the Russian state, and therefore banns submissions of films produced or co-produced by Russian Federation.