ClujShorts International Short Film Festival

The 2026 awards include the ClujShorts Trophy, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Acting, Best Animation, Best Sound and Best Student Film, together with the Jury Award, Press Award and Persona Association Award. The published regulations also provide for an Audience Award and Best Documentary. Audience, Press and Persona Association awards are open to all films in the Official Selection. Categories may be withheld when the judging committee considers that no entry meets the required standard.

For the 2026 submission cycle, competition films must be completed on or after 1 January 2024 and are limited to 20 minutes including credits. Films up to 35 minutes may enter the wider Official Selection, including works completed before that date. Previously submitted films are ineligible. Non-English films require English subtitles when submitted. Each film needs its own online entry and fee. Films are submitted by secure online screener; selected works must be supplied by online transfer in HD. Works in progress may be considered if completed before the festival, but the committee evaluates the submitted version and accepts replacement cuts only at its request. Entrants must hold the necessary rights and authorise promotional use of clips and festival educational and cultural use. The festival does not pay screening fees. Additional materials are requested after selection.