Photo by Nick Piacente
Film & TV Festival Short Film Application
March 7-15, 2025 in Austin, TX
If you've got a narrative, documentary, or animated short film to submit, you're in the right place.
All Short Film submissions must be under 40 minutes in length.
Please take a moment to read the Film & TV Submissions FAQ.
Submit your application only when your film is in the most complete and finished form possible. SXSW will not screen multiple updates/versions of your film for programming consideration. We will only screen the first cut submitted. SXSW does not accept trailers or rough assemblies as submissions, but will accept work-in-progress cuts (picture lock with temp sound, color, etc.).
SXSW requires all films to be submitted via link. If you change this link or any of your login information and do not inform SXSW, your film could be disqualified.
- Your submission link must be to a secure, online version of your film via an external site (i.e. your own website, Vimeo, unlisted Youtube, etc.)
- Your submission link must be working before you complete your submission application
- Your submission link must be available through March 2025
For more information, see the Submission Link section of the application.
SXSW is proud to be an official qualifying festival for the Academy Awards Short Film competition. The Grand Jury award winners of our Narrative, Documentary, and Animated Short Film categories become eligible for the Academy Awards.
You will receive a confirmation email from SXSW within 48 hours of your submission. This email will confirm that your film has been submitted correctly. If you do not receive this letter within 48 hours, you should follow up by email to ensure your film has been submitted properly and is under consideration.
To keep important SXSW emails from landing in your spam folder, add the following address to your contact list: filmfest@sxsw.com.
- First Deadline: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 ($45)
- Second Deadline: Tuesday, September 17, 2024 ($60)
- Final Deadline: Wednesday, October 2, 2024 ($80)
*All deadlines end at 11:59pm PT
All applicants will be informed of the status of their project no later than Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Films invited to the festival will only be screened on DCP.