NOTIFICATION: SEPTEMBER 30th, 2026
EVENT DATE: NOVEMBER 8th, 2026
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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.
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.
YOUR HOST FOR YEAR 5
Claudia Winkleman hosts the Year 5 ceremony at BFI Southbank. One of the most recognisable voices in British broadcasting, she brings genuine warmth, quick wit, and a real love of cinema to the BSFA stage.
Strictly Come Dancing (Co-host of the BBC's flagship Saturday night show for over a decade)
The Traitors (Host of the BAFTA-winning series that became a cultural phenomenon)
Film show host & cinema lover.
A genuine and long-standing passion for film.
The right person in the right room.
YOUR HOST FOR YEAR 5
Claudia Winkleman hosts the Year 5 ceremony at BFI Southbank. One of the most recognisable voices in British broadcasting, she brings genuine warmth, quick wit, and a real love of cinema to the BSFA stage.
Strictly Come Dancing (Co-host of the BBC's flagship Saturday night show for over a decade)
The Traitors (Host of the BAFTA-winning series that became a cultural phenomenon)
Film show host & cinema lover.
A genuine and long-standing passion for film.
The right person in the right room.
SHORT FILM
IS COMING HOME
BFI Southbank has been at the centre of British cinema for nearly 70 years. Home to the London Film Festival, the Free Cinema movement, and some of the most significant screenings in UK film history. On 8 November 2026, it becomes home to the British Short Film Awards.
A CINEMA LEGACY
The screens at BFI Southbank have hosted the work of filmmakers who defined British cinema — and the ones who challenged it. Kubrick. Lean. Loach. Anderson. Now, the next generation.
NFT1 CINEMA
The ceremony takes place in NFT1 — BFI Southbank's flagship screen. One of the most recognisable cinema spaces in the UK, and the stage for the Year 5 awards.
THE NIGHT
From the nominees' pre-reception to the after-party at the BFI Bar, the entire evening unfolds across BFI Southbank's spaces on the South Bank of the Thames.
SHORT FILM IS COMING HOME
BFI Southbank has been at the centre of British cinema for nearly 70 years. Home to the London Film Festival, the Free Cinema movement, and some of the most significant screenings in UK film history. On 8 November 2026, it becomes home to the British Short Film Awards.
A CINEMA LEGACY
The screens at BFI Southbank have hosted the work of filmmakers who defined British cinema — and the ones who challenged it. Kubrick. Lean. Loach. Anderson. Now, the next generation.
NFT1 CINEMA
The ceremony takes place in NFT1 — BFI Southbank's flagship screen. One of the most recognisable cinema spaces in the UK, and the stage for the Year 5 awards.
THE NIGHT
From the nominees' pre-reception to the after-party at the BFI Bar, the entire evening unfolds across BFI Southbank's spaces on the South Bank of the Thames.
Nominees Pre-Reception
Meet fellow nominees, industry guests and the BSFA team before the ceremony begins.
Awards Ceremony
Watch the winners revealed. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman at BFI Southbank’s iconic NFT1 cinema.
After Party at the BFI Bar
Celebrate the winners. Meet the nominees. Continue the night with filmmakers from across the UK and beyond.
This is where short film belongs.
Short films have always been
where new voices first appear.
BFI Southbank is where
those voices are taken seriously.
That combination is exactly
what Year 5 is built around.
Nominees Pre-Reception
Meet fellow nominees, industry guests and the BSFA team before the ceremony begins.
Awards Ceremony
Watch the winners revealed. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman at BFI Southbank’s iconic NFT1 cinema.
After Party at the BFI Bar
Celebrate the winners. Meet the nominees. Continue the night with filmmakers from across the UK and beyond.
This is where short film belongs. Short films have always been where new
voices first appear. BFI Southbank is where those voices are taken seriously.
That combination is exactly what Year 5 is built around.
From the red carpet to the final toast. Meet the people behind the films.
Join filmmakers, nominees and
industry guests at BFI Southbank on 8 November 2026.
From the red carpet to the final toast. Meet the people behind the films.
Join filmmakers, nominees and industry guests at BFI Southbank on 8 November 2026.
SHORT FILM AS A FORCE FOR CHANGE
The Impact Award recognises individuals whose work expands what cinema can do and creates real opportunities for new voices in film. At the BSFA, that means honouring the people who help short filmmakers reach the world.
Impact Award · Year 5
Cate Blanchett Championing displaced short filmmakers
The Impact Award goes to those who expand what cinema can do and create real opportunities for new voices.
This year, it goes to Cate Blanchett — for her work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador commissioning short films from directors in conflict-affected regions through the Displacement Film Fund.
The Displacement Fim Fund
Launched in partnership with the Hubert Bals Fund at IFFR, the Displacement Film Fund supports short films made by directors living in displacement. These films explore identity, exile, memory and survival — perspectives shaped by lived experience that rarely reach traditional production systems.
SHORT FILM AS A FORCE FOR CHANGE
The Impact Award recognises individuals whose work expands what cinema can do and creates real opportunities for new voices in film. At the BSFA, that means honouring the people who help short filmmakers reach the world.
Impact Award · Year 5
Cate Blanchett Championing displaced short filmmakers
The Impact Award goes to those who expand what cinema can do and create real opportunities for new voices.
This year, it goes to Cate Blanchett — for her work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador commissioning short films from directors in conflict-affected regions through the Displacement Film Fund.
The Displacement Fim Fund
Launched in partnership with the Hubert Bals Fund at IFFR, the Displacement Film Fund supports short films made by directors living in displacement. These films explore identity, exile, memory and survival — perspectives shaped by lived experience that rarely reach traditional production systems.
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.
Format Awards
Every film is also recognised in its form.
Regional Awards
For British films, we also celebrate
where they are rooted.
Industry Awards
These honours recognise influence, impact,
and community. They’re awarded, not entered.
Craft Awards
If you go Full Submission, your film is considered in every craft category it qualifies for.
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.
Format Awards
Every film is also recognised in its form.
Regional Awards
For British films, we also celebrate
where they are rooted.
Industry Awards
These honours recognise influence, impact,
and community. They’re awarded, not entered.
Craft Awards
If you go Full Submission, your film is considered in every craft category it qualifies for.
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 Nothern Ireland
Full Submission
Everything in Standard, plus craft recognition.
Directing · Screenplay · Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Supporting Actor · Best Supporting Actress · Score · Cinematography · Editing · Sound Design · Production Design · Costume Design · Hair & Makeup · Casting
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 Nothern Ireland
Full Submission
Everything in Standard, plus craft recognition.
Directing · Screenplay · Best Actor · Best Actress · Best Supporting Actor · Best Supporting Actress · Score · Cinematography · Editing · Sound Design · Production Design · Costume Design · Hair & Makeup · Casting
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.
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:
20 pages or less, excluding the title page
Original or rights-cleared
Written in English, in industry-standard formatting
Entries for the Best Unproduced Screenplay must not have been produced in any form prior to the announcement of the official longlist. Any screenplay that enters production before this date will be disqualified. The purpose of this category is to recognise and support outstanding unproduced work, with the aim of helping develop the winning screenplay in collaboration with industry partners.
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:
20 pages or less, excluding the title page
Original or rights-cleared
Written in English, in industry-standard formatting
Entries for the Best Unproduced Screenplay must not have been produced in any form prior to the announcement of the official longlist. Any screenplay that enters production before this date will be disqualified. The purpose of this category is to recognise and support outstanding unproduced work, with the aim of helping develop the winning screenplay in collaboration with industry partners.
