NOTIFICATION: SEPTEMBER 30th, 2026
Sign up now to our newsletter and stay in the loop with The British Short Film Awards — powered by CenterFrame.
NOTIFICATION: SEPTEMBER 30th, 2026
Sign up now to our newsletter and stay in the loop with The British Short Film Awards — powered by CenterFrame.
EVENT DATE: NOVEMBER 1st, 2026
EVENT DATE: NOVEMBER 1st, 2026
Short films are where it all begins.
Where the boldest voices rise.
Where rules are broken, and new ones are made.
Short films aren’t the warm-up. They’re the main event. They say more in minutes than most films do in hours. They’re raw, urgent, and unforgettable.
The British Short Film Awards exists to give them the stage they deserve.
Short films are where it all begins.
Where the boldest voices rise.
Where rules are broken, and new ones are made.
Short films aren’t the warm-up. They’re the main event. They say more in minutes than most films do in hours. They’re raw, urgent, and unforgettable.
The British Short Film Awards exists to give them the stage they deserve.
HERE IS WHAT IS NEW IN YEAR 5'S EDITION:
HERE'S WHAT IS NEW IN YEAR 5'S EDITION:
CATEGORIES & AWARDS
Recognition here isn’t one note. We celebrate the film, the form, the place, and the people who made it. When you submit, your film is entered into multiple categories. Standard submission gives you the main ones. Full submission includes the craft too.
Award Categories
Where every entry starts.
These are the headline awards.
Best British Short
for UK-based filmmakers and productions
Best International Short
for films made outside the UK
Best Student Short
for current students and recent graduates
Best Unproduced Screenplay
for scripts under 20 pages
Format Awards
Every film is also recognised in its form.
Live Action
narrative, performance-driven shorts
Animation
2D, 3D, stop-motion, or hybrid works
Documentary
non-fiction storytelling
Vertical
films made for vertical screens
Regional Awards
For British films, we also celebrate where stories are rooted.
Best English Short
Best Nothern Irish Short
Best Scottish Short
Best Welsh Short
Industry Awards
These honours recognise influence, impact, and community.
They’re awarded, not entered.
Icon Award
celebrating a career of lasting influence in film and love for shorts
Impact Award
recognising an organisation or individual who champions new talent
Member of The Year
highlighting the most active and inspiring member of the CenterFrame community
CenterFrame Awards
(Popular Vote)
chosen directly by the CenterFrame community from the BSFA nominees
Craft Awards
If you go Full Submission, your film is considered in every craft category it qualifies for.
Directing · Screenplay · Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Supporting Actor · Best Supporting Actress · Cinematography · Editing · Sound Design · Score · Production Design · Costume Design · Hair & Makeup
CATEGORIES & AWARDS
Recognition here isn’t one note. We celebrate the film, the form, the place, and the people who made it.
When you submit, your film is entered into multiple categories.
Standard submission gives you the main ones. Full submission includes the craft too.
Award Categories
Where every entry starts.
These are the headline awards.
Best British Short
for UK-based filmmakers and productions
Best International Short
for films made outside the UK
Best Student Short
for current students and recent graduates
Best Unproduced Screenplay
for scripts under 20 pages
Format Awards
Every film is also recognised in its form.
Live Action
narrative, performance-driven shorts
Animation
2D, 3D, stop-motion, or hybrid works
Documentary
non-fiction storytelling
Vertical
films made for vertical screens
Regional Awards
For British films, we also celebrate where stories are rooted.
Best English Short
Best Nothern Irish Short
Best Scottish Short
Best Welsh Short
Industry Awards
These honours recognise influence, impact, and community.
They’re awarded, not entered.
Icon Award
celebrating a career of lasting influence in film and love for shorts
Impact Award
recognising an organisation or individual who champions new talent
Member of The Year
highlighting the most active and inspiring member of the CenterFrame community
CenterFrame Awards
(Popular Vote)
chosen directly by the CenterFrame community from the BSFA nominees
Craft Awards
If you go Full Submission, your film is considered in every craft category it qualifies for.
Directing · Screenplay · Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress · Cinematography · Editing · Sound Design
Score · Production Design · Costume Design · Hair & Makeup
HERE IS WHAT IS NEW IN YEAR 5'S EDITION:
AND THIS IS HOW YOU SUBMIT YOUR FILM OR SCRIPT:
Submission Types | Films
We’ve redesigned the BSFA entry system to keep things simple and fair. Other festivals charge you every time you want to be considered for another award. We don’t.
With us, you choose one of two clear options:
Standard Submission – your film is judged for its story and format, with regional awards included if you’re a British filmmaker.
Full Submission – everything from Standard, plus every craft award your film is eligible for. One fee, no add-ons.
It’s a straightforward way to give filmmakers the recognition they deserve without piling on costs.
Standard Submission
This is the base entry. It covers your film for the main awards.
Award Category
British, International, Student, or Screenplay
Format Award
Live Action, Animation, Documentary, or Vertical
Regional Award
(if British)
England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
Full Submission
Everything in Standard, plus craft recognition.
Directing · Screenplay · Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Supporting Actor · Best Supporting Actress · Cinematography · Editing · Sound Design · Score · Production Design · Costume Design · Hair & Makeup
Submission Types | Screenplays
We’ve kept the screenplay entry simple and focused. No add-ons, no extras: one award that matters.
Unproduced Screenplay Submission – open to short film scripts under 20 pages that haven’t yet been filmed. Scripts must be original or rights-cleared, written in English, and submitted in industry-standard format.
The winning script will be produced with the support of the BSFA, CenterFrame, and our network of partners.
Submission Types | Films
We’ve redesigned the BSFA entry system to keep things simple and fair. Other festivals charge you every time you want to be considered for another award. We don’t.
With us, you choose one of two clear options:
Standard Submission – your film is judged for its story and format, with regional awards included if you’re a British filmmaker.
Full Submission – everything from Standard, plus every craft award your film is eligible for. One fee, no add-ons.
It’s a straightforward way to give filmmakers the recognition they deserve without piling on costs.
Standard Submission
This is the base entry. It covers your film for the main awards.
Award Category
British, International, Student, or Screenplay
Format Award
Live Action, Animation, Documentary, or Vertical
Regional Award
(if British)
England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
Full Submission
Everything in Standard, plus craft recognition.
Directing · Screenplay · Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Supporting Actor · Best Supporting Actress · Cinematography · Editing · Sound Design · Score · Production Design · Costume Design · Hair & Makeup
Submission Types | Screenplays
We’ve kept the screenplay entry simple and focused. No add-ons, no extras: one award that matters.
Unproduced Screenplay Submission – open to short film scripts under 20 pages that haven’t yet been filmed. Scripts must be original or rights-cleared, written in English, and submitted in industry-standard format.
The winning script will be produced with the support of the BSFA, CenterFrame, and our network of partners.
SUBMIT YOUR WORK
SUBMIT YOUR WORK
FAQs
RULES & CONDITIONS
The British Short Film Awards (BSFA) celebrates short filmmaking talent from the UK and around the world. By submitting your work, you agree to the following rules and conditions.
All submissions must be made via CenterFrame.
Films must be 26 minutes or under, including credits.
Films must have been completed on or after January 1st, 2023.
Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
Student entries must provide:
The name of the institution, and
The email of the tutor who supervised the film at the time of completion.
Screenplays must be:
Under 20 pages
Original or rights-cleared
Written in English, in industry-standard formatting
RULES & CONDITIONS
The British Short Film Awards (BSFA) celebrates short filmmaking talent from the UK and around the world. By submitting your work, you agree to the following rules and conditions.
All submissions must be made via CenterFrame.
Films must be 26 minutes or under, including credits.
Films must have been completed on or after January 1st, 2023.
Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
Student entries must provide:
The name of the institution, and
The email of the tutor who supervised the film at the time of completion.
Screenplays must be:
Under 20 pages
Original or rights-cleared
Written in English, in industry-standard formatting
