What’s on the Digital Program page

Keep it simple:

  • Festival title + date

  • Film blocks

  • Judges & MC

  • Sponsor logos (clickable, backlinking)

  • “Thank you to our partners”

Sponsors LOVE this because:

  • logos live online after the event

  • links are clickable

  • it feels official

  • they can share it

You LOVE this because:

  • you update it once

  • it satisfies multiple tiers

  • it replaces a printed program entirely

We will be accepting a new wave of films soon. Stay tuned.

Genres we accept:
horror, psychological thrillers, dark comedies, animations, music videos, and the delightfully strange. If it's bold, bizarre, or offbeat, we want to see it.

Weird Short Films is a curated platform for boundary-pushing, brain-bending short films. If you think your film would be a good fit, you should submit your film.

Films must be 20 minutes or shorter.

Must not be playing on YouTube, but can be on other platforms.

Quick Eligibility Checklist

✅ 2–35 minutes
✅ English or with English subtitles
✅ No AI-generated content
✅ You own all rights (including music)
✅ Must follow YouTube’s community standards
✅ Must be at least 18 years old or have guardian consent

See full rules below

  • Accepted Genres: Horror, psychological thriller, dark comedy, found footage, animation, music videos

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

    • Film length: 2 to 35 minutes

    • Submit via a downloadable Vimeo link only

    • Must be a completed film (no rough cuts or early drafts)

    • Must be in English or have English subtitles

    • Must not contain AI-generated video or imagery

    • Any release date accepted, your film does not need to be recent or exclusive

    • You must own the rights including all video & music rights and all creative content

    • No refunds after submission

    • We do not provide feedback or accept scripts

    • You will be notified before your film goes live

    • Your film can be on any platform but can not be active on YouTube - must be ‘private’ and/or not live on any other YouTube channel

    • No refunds after submission

    • If accepted, your film will be featured on:

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

    • No refunds after submission

    • Once accepted, your film will be featured on:

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

  • Q: Can I submit a film I made years ago?
    A: Yes! We accept films from any year as long as they meet our content and technical guidelines.

    Q: Does my film have to be exclusive to Weird Short Films?
    A: No. Your film can appear on other platforms — it doesn't need to be exclusive.

    Q: Can I submit more than one film?
    A: Yes, but each film must be submitted separately and meet all the requirements.

    Q: What counts as a “weird” documentary or drama?
    A: If your film includes surreal, unconventional, or genre-bending elements (e.g. mockumentary, experimental structure, dark satire), it might qualify. If you're unsure, email us with a short description before submitting.

    Q: Can I use copyrighted music if I don’t monetize my film?
    A: No. You must own the rights to all music used in your film. That includes soundtracks and background audio.

    Q: What happens if my film violates YouTube’s rules?
    A: It won’t be accepted. Your film must follow YouTube’s community guidelines — no excessive violence, hate speech, copyright infringement, or misleading metadata.

    Q: What if I don’t want my film to stay up forever?
    A: You can request removal after 6 months. Just send us a written request and we’ll remove it within a reasonable timeframe.

    Q: Will you promote my film individually?
    A: We promote the festival as a whole, including playlists, social media mentions, and newsletter updates. We can’t guarantee individual viral success, but we do our best to give every accepted film exposure.