Weird Short Films Challenge

Ever felt the urge to make a short film but didn’t know where to begin? Or maybe you’ve been waiting for just the right spark to kick you into gear. The Weird Short Films Challenge is your invitation to dive in, whether you're a seasoned filmmaker with a full production team or a DIY type ready with a smart phone, we want to see your work. These challenges are accessible and obtainable to everyone. You will never be asked to produce a film that requires a budget to produce. That’s totally up to you.

Each challenge has its own unique twist and set of rules to follow. The idea is to push boundaries, embrace constraints, and spark creativity with just enough structure to keep you moving forward.

Participants will receive a set of guidelines and creative prompts when registration opens..Then it’s go time. Each challenge starts off with little over a month for you to produce your film. The longer you wait to enter, the less time you have. But maybe you like the time restraint.

Every completed project that follows the rules will be reviewed, and if chosen, will be featured on the Weird Short Films YouTube Channel.

As for this Challenge will require? That’s a surprise, but we promise it’ll be strange in all the right ways.

🔥 Early Sign-Up Bonus The first 72 hours of registration come with some tasty perks:

  • Discounted registration fee

  • Extra minutes of runtime (10 minutes instead of 8)

The Weird Short Films Challenge is a chance to:

  • Create something new

  • Collaborate under pressure

  • Grow your IMDb credits

  • Build your reel

  • Leverage this for your next project

  • Have an excuse to stay on people’s radar

So grab your camera, your smart phone, your friends, your weird ideas, and get ready to make something people will remember.

Key Dates

  • Early Registration: COMING SOON

  • Submission Deadline: COMING SOON

  • Official Selections Announced: COMING SOON

  • Awards Announced: COMING SOON

What Do You Get If You Enter?

  • The Challenge is revealed

  • A chance to be featured on the Weird Short Films YouTube Channel

  • Eligibility for Weird Short Films Laurels and custom thumbnail stickers for:

    • Best Use of Challenge

    • Best DIY film

    • Best Script

    • Best WTF

    • Best Comedy

    • Best Horror

    • Best B-horror

    • Best Kill

    • Best Psychological thriller

  • Weird Short Films Challenges

    These rules are for the Weird Short Films Challenge only. If you are you submitting anything else, please go here.

    Genres: Horror, psychological thriller, dark comedy, b-horror, found footage, animation, music videos

    Not Accepted: Straight dramas, rom-coms, or documentaries, unless weird or surreal in some way.

    Any questions - WeirdShortFilms@gmail.com


    Requirements:

    • Must be a new, original film created during the challenge window (not previously completed work).

    • Must be an exclusive premiere for Weird Short Films (cannot be shown publicly on any platform, including Vimeo, until 3 months after the release on our channel).

    • No resubmissions or revisions after the challenge ends.

    Each challenge comes with a unique prompt and deadline. Check our website or socials for details.

    • Film must be 5 minutes or less (unless bonus time is awarded during early registration).

    • Must include the challenge criteria in your film.

    • Upload must be complete and submitted by the deadline.

    • All rights must be cleared (music, footage, etc.).

    • Must adhere to basic quality standards (watchable picture & balanced audio).

    • Must include the challenge criteria revealed.

    • Upload must be complete and submitted by the deadline.

    • All rights must be cleared (music, footage, etc.).

    • Must adhere to basic quality standards (watchable picture & audio).

    • Submit via a downloadable Vimeo link only.

    • Must be in English or have English subtitles.

    • No AI-generated video or imagery.

    • Awards are selected by the Weird Short Films team.

    • Test your media before submitting to ensure everything plays correctly and is not corrupted.

    • Keep all screener links and passwords up-to-date, and notify us if anything changes before the review period ends.

    • No refunds for submissions; no guarantee of selection.

    • We do not provide feedback or accept scripts.

    • You’ll be notified before your film goes live on our platform.

    • We reserve the right to use images or stills from accepted films for festival marketing and promotion.live

    • If accepted, your film will be featured on:

    • You may request your film to be removed after 6 months

    • You can shoot this on your smartphone, shoot it in landscape mode.

    • All submissions are final

    • All submitted films will be reviewed for creative merit, technical quality, and alignment with the Weird Short Films brand. We reserve the right to decline any entry for any reason, including (but not limited to) offensive content, hate speech, extremely poor quality, or failure to follow the challenge guidelines.

  • Q: Am I guaranteed my film will be shown on the Weird Short Films YouTube channel?

    A: Submission does not guarantee placement or award recognition. We’re here to celebrate creative risk-taking, but we also curate to protect the integrity of the brand.

    Q: What if I don’t finish in time?

    A: Meeting the deadline is part of the challenge. If you really think you have something great, you can submit it as a short film.

    Q: Can I read what the challenge is before I pay to enter?

    A: No. Be surprised then create.

    Q: Why can’t I submit my film to other platforms during the first 3 months?

    A: We are building a film community and part of that is exclusivity. It also helps us market films people know they can’t see anywhere else.

    Q: What if I want to show my film on my YouTube channel?

    A: We don’t allow duplicate films on YouTube for the time a film is on our channel. Other platforms are okay after 3 months.

    Q: What if I don’t like the challenge?

    A: Part of the challenge is to create a film under the prompts given. If you don’t like that risk, we suggest don’t enter the contest.

    Q: Do the challenges change every time?

    A: Yes. Every challenge is unique and different.

    Q: What if I can’t do the challenge?

    A: Each challenge will be accessible and obtainable to every person at any level of filmmaking. This is where you’re creativity comes in.