A digital collage with three characters against a starry night sky background. From left to right: a figure with dark curly hair and purple makeup, a woman with red hair in a green outfit, and a person with a paper bag over their head waving. Below them, the text reads "WEIRD SHORT FILMS" in pink, dripping letters.

Weird Short Films Challenge

Ever wanted to make a short film but didn’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve been waiting for the right spark to kick your creativity into gear. The Weird Short Films Festival Challenge is your invitation to dive in—whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker with a full crew or a DIY creator with just a smartphone. These challenges are open to everyone, and no budget is required—that part’s totally up to you.

Each challenge comes with its own unique twist and set of rules designed to push boundaries, spark creativity, and keep you moving forward.

We have 6 exciting Film Challenges to choose from. To learn more go to FilmFreeway.

Film Challenge - "I killed my annoying roommate, now what?"

Film Challenge - Use a Rock and a Game Console

Film Challenge - The Talking Appliance

Film Challenge - The Phone Call

Film Challenge - Pet Gone Wild

Film Challenge - Stranger in the Mirror

Genres We Accept

  • Horror

  • B-Horror

  • Psychological Thrillers

  • Dark Comedies

If it’s bold, bizarre, offbeat, or sometimes bloody, we want to see it.

Why Enter?

The Weird Short Films Challenge is a chance to:

  • Leverage your work for future projects

  • Collaborate under pressure

  • Grow your IMDb credits

  • Stay on people’s radar

  • Create something new

  • Build your reel

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Weird Short Films is a platform built by indie filmmakers, for indie filmmakers. We spotlight the best low to no-budget genre short films, helping creators gain exposure, grow their IMDb credits, and connect with a wider audience. From experimental horror to dark comedy, we celebrate bold, unique storytelling that pushes boundaries. Through our film challenges and curated showcases, we empower filmmakers and actors to create narrative-driven content using the tools they have—yes, even just a smartphone. If you're a creative looking to share your weird, wild, or wonderful short film, you’ve found your people.