We are pleased to announce that our Live Event will return to the Olympia in November 2026, once again bringing filmmakers together in the heart of Cannes.

You can watch our 2025 live event video here:
👉 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18IvymWBF34VJf-49IgDWzLTIl68XKoWJ

In our most recent edition, our competition was honored to feature an outstanding lineup of celebrated short films including OSCAR winner In the Shadow of the Cypress, OSCAR nominee and BAFTA winner Wander to Wonder, OSCAR Student Academy Award winner Crust, Clermont-Ferrand winners Mercenaire, Upshot and O, and Sundance winner Como si la tierra se las hubiera tragado and OSCAR nominee A Friend of Dorothy among many others.

We are now excited to discover fresh new projects for the upcoming season!

Cannes Indie shorts Awards is an IMDb qualifying event recognized for being a home for new filmmakers that join us in a week live event full of masterclasses, industry professionals meet and greet, Q&A's at our interview point, filmmakers cocktails and USD 3500 in cash prizes in one of the biggest networking short film event. Awarded as one of the " 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee " by Moviemaker.

Outstanding directors and casts were part of our latest editions, including: Dani Feixas Roka, Stephen Gallacher, Jean de Meuron, Ben Proudfoot, Hossein Molayemi, Shirin Sohani, Nina Gantz, Harry Holland, Tom Holland, Lindsay Duncan, Ben Whishaw, Martin Strange-Hansen, Murad Abu Eisheh, Zoel Aeschbacher, Emilie Pigeard, George Siougas, Fabien Ara, Lee Knight and Pascal Schelbli.

Thoroughly enjoyed the new visions of directors like Sean Nam, Neil Saul, Ronald Zuidinga, Raphaël Lopez, Raphaël Charlier, Katya Mokolo, Jaewon Jang, Clement Lefer, Sebastien Boulard,Sara Serinelli, John Keane, Alexander Frizzera, Izak Berman, Melana Sokhadze, Mercedes Jerkovic, Guy Lifshitz, Jay Richardson, Alexandra Pärn, Hannah Dobbertin, Roméo Abolin, Katharina Sporrer, Josiah Junqueira Spencer, A. de la Rita, Anthony & Hannah Warnes, Félix Dobaire, Josh Trett, Dale Leadon-Bolger, Valentina Schütz, Terence Schreurs, Pierre Audouin, Janina Hüttenrauch, Miranda Nolan, Alexandra Christensson and so many more.

No other city in Europe honors cinema the way Cannes does, living and breathing throughout the year under its gleaming lights. It is a unique and picturesque historic location alongside the French Riviera where you can experience the entirety of the fantastic film world. Since 1939, it has been THE city of cinema, where you can find not only an abundant amount of talent, but also incredible stars that are welcomed; without any doubt, it is the number-one international market for filmmakers.

We know the importance of having a full house cinema. This is why we are committed to promoting filmmaker’s projects. We consider each event an opportunity for networking with other artists and people from the industry. All our events are complementary for filmmakers and guests.

Aside from any result, by submitting your film you are entitled to 2 Admission Passes with full access to the 5-Day Live Event. This includes, not only the cocktails, but also any and all masterclasses, and all screening blocks and live performances.

Awards & Prizes

All our Official Selection films will receive the Official Laurel and will be screened at our 5-Day Annual Live Event.

Winners will be announced at the end of the event as well as the PRIX DU PUBLIC (cash prize of USD 1000, chosen by the audience), the GRAND PRIX (cash prize of USD 1500 ) and the PRIX DU MEILLEUR ESPOIR (cash prize of USD 1000 ). Winning films will receive their Certificate of Achievement.

In addition, we will choose a selection of outstanding projects as semi-finalists who will be invited to participate in our Virtual Event and compete for the CANNES NEW WAVES GRAND PRIX, winning a spot to be screened in our 2026 Live Event. All semifinalist films will receive their corresponding Laurel.

OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:

NARRATIVE SHORTS
FOREIGN SHORTS
DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
ANIMATION SHORTS
NEW FILMMAKERS SHORTS
EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS
STUDENT SHORTS
HORROR SHORTS
MUSIC VIDEOS
COMEDY SHORTS

TECHNICAL AND PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES
BEST PRODUCTION
BEST FEMALE DIRECTOR
BEST MALE DIRECTOR
BEST FEMALE STUDENT DIRECTOR
BEST MALE STUDENT DIRECTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST EDITING
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
BEST SOUND DESIGN
BEST SCREENWRITING

Rules & Terms

1- In order to submit a film, you must own the rights or have permission from the owner.
2- All fees are non-refundable.
3- The Festival relationship will exclusively be related to the film submitter.
4- Maximum length allowed is 40 minutes.
5- Any Foreign film that is not in English must have English subtitles.
6- INDIE SHORTS AWARDS CANNES will not be responsible for damaged copies.
7- A DCP copy will be requested for the live Events
8- DCP in English must have French subtitles.
DCP in French must have English subtitles.
DCP in other languages must have both English and French subtitles.
9- Not all the submissions are selected for the Official Competition. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers will be given about not selected films.
10- INDIE SHORTS AWARDS CANNES can consider any film to be disqualified if the festival considers the content inappropriate. If you have any question regarding this decision you may contact us at our email address: info@cannesindieshortsawards.com
11- A fee is required for the official Competitions Submission. For payment structure visit FilmFreeway
12- Submitting your movie, you authorize INDIE SHORTS AWARDS CANNES to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis and movie stills in our social media.
13- The applicants (submitters) must accept INDIE SHORTS AWARD CANNES’ Rules and Terms.
14- When submitting your film, you are consenting to our Privacy Policy. We are committed to respecting each filmmaker's preferences. We might contact you through your email or social media provided in the submission page to communicate updates on your submission status, screening and DCP requirements, events ticket confirmation, as well as to provide information about events, services, promotions that we think you might be interested in. You can unsubscribe from any marketing or advertising newsletter from us or any partner festival simply by clicking unsubscribe.
Even when unsubscribing from a marketing newsletter, you can still receive any communication regarding your submission status through the FilmFreeway system. For more information about our associated event, please refer to cannesindieshortsawards.com. If you need further information, please contact us via cannes@indieshortsawards.com, and we will be happy to help you.
255 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Salil Jason Fernandez

    A well-organized online showcase with a professional platform and clear communication. Proud to have been part of the Cannes New Waves Online Event that gives independent shorts a nice spotlight. Good experience overall.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words! We are glad the experience felt professional and well-organised throughout. Giving independent short films the spotlight they deserve is exactly what drives us, and it means a lot to know that came through. We hope to have you back in a future edition.

  • Megan Sweeney

    I felt like Cannes Indie Shorts really care about filmmakers, the community and the films. Thank you!

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Valentino Dors

    Having Shade selected by Cannes Indie Shorts Awards was a meaningful milestone in my filmmaking journey. As an independent filmmaker, it’s always encouraging to find festivals that recognize and celebrate emerging voices and original storytelling.

    The festival was professional, communicative, and supportive throughout the process. I’m grateful to have been included among such a diverse group of filmmakers from around the world.

    Thank you to the entire Cannes Indie Shorts team for the recognition and for creating a platform that helps independent cinema reach a wider audience. Wishing the festival continued success in the years ahead.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Máximo Herrera

    Being a part of this festival was a real pleasure, we loved being part of the official selection and the visibility we got for our film was amazing!

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • colours not in the rainbow

    We had an amazing experience with our short film at Cannes Indie Shorts Awards. The communication and organisation is spot on. We were provided with assistance in preparing materials for the screening. And online screening was very easy to access for the audience. We are very happy to be part of this festival.

    June 2026
    Helpful