Under 40 minutes, any genre, from anywhere. All entries run through FilmFreeway — here's everything you need to know before you hit submit.
We take all submissions on FilmFreeway — it's the only way in, and it keeps your film, your materials, and our notes in one place. Create a project, upload your short, and submit it to CineManiacs before whichever deadline works for you.
Entry fees vary by category and deadline and are always listed on our FilmFreeway page. Earlier deadlines cost less than later ones, so if your film is ready, there's no reason to wait.
Free to set up. Upload your film and fill in the details once.
Pick your category and deadline. Pay the entry fee shown at checkout.
Every entrant is notified — selected or not. No ghosting.
Including credits. Any length under the cap is welcome, from one-minute to twenty-nine.
Fiction, doc, animation, experimental, student. Non-English films need English subtitles.
Films finished on or after January 1, 2024 are eligible for the 2027 edition.
No premiere status required. Prior festival runs or online release won't disqualify you.
Entry fees depend on your category and which deadline you hit, and the current rates are always on our FilmFreeway page. Earlybird is cheapest; the fee steps up at each later deadline.
Absolutely. Each film is a separate submission on FilmFreeway. There's no limit on how many you enter.
We only program finished films, but if your cut is nearly locked you're welcome to submit and note it. We watch on a rolling basis, so a final version uploaded before your deadline is fine.
No. We don't require any premiere status, and a previous festival run or an online release won't hurt your chances. We just want good shorts.
Selected filmmakers send a DCP or high-quality ProRes file. Our organizer walks every selection through the specifics after notification — nothing to worry about at submission.
Not required, but hugely encouraged. The post-screening Q&As and the Austin crowd are the whole point, and traveling filmmakers consistently say it's worth it.