THe SHORTEST NIGHTS

british short film festival

As a BIFA-qualifying festival, we pride ourselves on curating exciting, entertaining, high-quality programmes celebrating the best in BRITISH SHORT FILM.

Now in our 11th year, we’ve grown our reputation for programming brilliant events for filmmakers and film-fans alike. We are a boutique festival, but our standards for selection are extremely high. Every strand we programme is designed to showcase your films alongside other works that compliment and amplify their themes and narratives.

Selected shorts are created exclusively by filmmakers living, working or studying in the UK, inclusive of British Filmmakers working overseas.

Our 2025 festival will take place 6-9th September is is currently accepting submissions.

Submit here

2024

Our second year as a two-day festival with more sell out screenings and jam-packed networking events at Rich Mix and Sidcup Storyteller.

Still image from Rhyme or Die by Max Lincoln

2023

Our first year as a two-day festival was a momentous one with sell-out events across the board. We were delighted to be back at Rich Mix and excited to finally be able to screen in our home borough of Bexley at the new Sidcup Storyteller.

Film still from The Rev by Ines Hachou

2022

We were thrilled to be back in person and to find a new home at the wonderful Rich Mix. The 2023 edition saw 5 programmes screen over an entire day.

2021

Our second year online. We really enjoyed being able to reach so many new audiences from around the UK and our live intros continued to be a success!

Still from pineapple by Max Lincoln

2020

We were thrilled to achieve BIFA-qualifying status this year despite the challenges faced following the pandemic. Our online edition was jam-packed with brilliant films across 8 programmes, and were thrilled to see so many filmmakers and film fans take part. Through live intros and online networking sessions, we still found a way to celebrate short film.

Still of actor Amit Shar from Quiet Carriage by Ben S Hyland

2019

2019 saw our busiest year at the lovely Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick. We celebrated a huge variety of short films across 5 programmes in one single day.

2018

5 programmes of short films across a wonderful day at The Yard.

Still from Leon by Mark J Blackman

2017

There was something for everyone during the full day of films at The Yard in Hackney Wick.

Still image from The Problemless Anonymous

2016

5 programmes of short films across a wonderful day at The Yard, our new festival home in Hackney Wick.

2015

The inaugural Shortest nights festival took place at Electrowerks, Angel. With an entire day of short film programmes, filmmaker networking and foosball.

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