Weird Short Films Rules

Submission Rules

1. Runtime & Eligibility

Short Film (2–10 min): Eligible for YouTube + theatrical screenings

Short Film (11–40 min): YouTube only

Music Video (2–20 min): Over 10 min not considered for theatrical

Weird Short Films Challenge (5–8 min): Placeholder submissions allowed (see Rule #12)

All films may appear on YouTube; not all are eligible for live screenings. All films are intended to enhance a cannabis-friendly viewing experience, though cannabis does not need to appear on-screen. No AI-generated films accepted.

2. Format & Language

Submit via downloadable Vimeo link or FilmFreeway screener

Films must be in English or include English subtitles

Films must be at least 1920x1080 (HD). Smartphone footage is accepted if shot in landscape.

Test all media before submitting; corrupted or unplayable files will not be considered

3. Rights & Ownership

You must hold all necessary rights, including music and visuals

No third-party copyrighted material without permission

AI-generated videos, scripts, treatments, or written works are not accepted.

4. YouTube Exclusivity

General submissions: May appear on other platforms but not YouTube at submission/acceptance.

Film Challenges: Must premiere exclusively on @WeirdShortFilms YouTube for 6 months.

Each challenge entry (place holder/incomplete project) requires a separate fee.

5. Resubmissions

General submissions may be resubmitted if significantly revised (new fee applies).

Challenge entries cannot be revised or resubmitted.

6. Review & Selection

Selection is based on creativity, originality, technical quality, and alignment with Weird Short Films.

Challenge entries must follow the prompt and be produced during the challenge window.

All decisions are final; no feedback is provided.

7. Promotion & Use

Accepted films may be used for promotional purposes, including stills, clips, summaries, and a poster you provide for your film.

Films may appear on our YouTube channel, website (including the Watch page), and social media.

8. Notifications

Filmmakers will be notified via email before their film goes live. If your film is selected for a YouTube premiere, you may receive your premiere date before the official notification date so you can help promote your short and drive views.

9. Removal

Filmmakers may request removal from the @WeirdShortFilms channel six (6) months after April 18th.

10. Challenge Awards

Awards are determined solely by the Weird Short Films team. No feedback will be provided.

11. Refunds

No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

12. How to Submit to Weird Short Films Challenges

1) Create Your Project on FilmFreeway

Go to your FilmFreeway dashboard and click “Add a Project.”

Enter the specific film challenge as your project title and add the director and writer’s name.

You can leave the screener/video upload blank if your film is unfinished — this serves as a placeholder.

2) Submit as a Placeholder

Once your project is created, click “Submit Now” and choose Weird Short Films Festival.

Pay the applicable fee (Early Bird, Regular, or Late Deadline).

This locks in your submission and pricing, even without a completed film.

3) Finish Your Film

Complete your film according to the challenge rules.

The sooner you upload your final film and update your placeholder, the sooner it can be scheduled for a YouTube premiere.

Each filmmaker will be notified on or before the official notification date with their premiere date so you can help promote your short and maximize views.

4) Update Your Project with the Final Film

Go back to your project page in FilmFreeway.

Upload your finished film to the Screener section via a downloadable Vimeo link.

Fill in any missing details (cast, crew, synopsis, etc.) and save your changes.

5) We Receive the Updated Version Automatically

You do not need to resubmit or pay again.

Once updated, your project appears in our submissions dashboard. We’ll review your final film after the deadline closes.

Important Notes

Your fee is tied to your submission date, not your film’s completion date.

Each film challenge requires a separate project submission and fee. For example, submitting three placeholders for three challenges requires three separate entry fees.

Film Challenges must be 5–8 minutes in length.

Be sure your final film is uploaded by the final deadline to be considered.

Q: Am I guaranteed my film will be shown on the Weird Short Films YouTube channel?
A: Submission does not guarantee selection. We curate to celebrate creativity while protecting the integrity of the brand.

Q: Why can’t I submit my film from the film challenge to other platforms 6 months after April 18th?
A: The 6-month exclusivity allows us to promote your film as a true premiere and build a strong, focused film community.

Q: What if I want to show my film on my YouTube channel?
A: You may post your film from the film challenge to your personal YouTube channel six months after April 18th. You can post your short film (not from the film challenge) on other platforms (excluding YouTube) anytime.

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. However, you cannot include old footage in any film challenge.

Q: Does my film have to be exclusive to Weird Short Films?
A: No. Your film may appear on other platforms, but it must not be publicly live on another YouTube channel. Exclusivity is required only for films submitted to the film challenge.

Q: Can I submit more than one film?
A: Yes, but each film must be submitted separately with its own submission fee and meet all guidelines.

Q: Can I use copyrighted music I don’t have the rights to?
A: No. You must have full legal rights to all music and sound in your film, including soundtrack and background audio.

Q: What happens if my film violates YouTube’s rules?
A: It will be disqualified. All films must comply with 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 on your channel forever?
A: You may request removal after 6 months after April 18th by emailing us. We’ll process the removal within a reasonable timeframe.

Q: Will you promote my film individually?
A: We promote the platform as a whole through curated playlists, social media, and email updates. While we can’t guarantee individual promotion, all selected films receive visibility.

Q: What if I want to change my film after it’s accepted?
A: Once your film is live on our channel, we cannot swap or replace it.

Q: Can I submit a smartphone or low-budget film?
A: Yes! We welcome films at all levels, from DIY to professional, as long as they meet technical standards (HD 1920x1080).

Q: Do I have to feature cannabis in my film?
A: No. Our films are designed for a cannabis-friendly audience, but your film does not need to include cannabis on screen. Bold, genre-focused creativity is what matters.

Q: How will I know if my film is selected for YouTube or the live screening?
A: Filmmakers will be notified via email. Any film selected for the live Brooklyn screening will also be featured on the YouTube channel. Being chosen for YouTube does not automatically guarantee a live screening, but all live-screened films are on YouTube.

Q: What is expected of me if my film is selected for the live screening?
A: Filmmakers may be invited to participate in a group interview and attend the event. Costumes are encouraged but optional.

Q: Can I submit a Film Challenge before it’s finished?
A: Yes! Submitting early via a placeholder locks in your spot and fee. The sooner you submit, the sooner your film can be scheduled for a YouTube premiere — don’t wait until the last minute. You only pay once which is whatever the submission fee is when you put in your placeholder, not when you submit the final film.

Q: Will my film be featured on the website?
A: Yes! All selected films will appear on our Watch page with a poster you provide, giving additional exposure beyond YouTube and the live screening.

Q: Can I submit a film with AI-generated content?
A: No. AI-generated films are not allowed in any category.

Q: How long should my film be?
A: Short films: 2–10 minutes for live screening eligibility, 11–40 minutes for YouTube only. Music videos: 2–20 minutes, though over 10 minutes are ineligible for the live screening. Challenge entries: 5–8 minutes.

Q: Can I submit my film from a film challenge to another film festival?
A: After 6 months after April 18th. If you have a film premiere at any other festival or appear/screen at any other festival before then, your film will be removed. For the integrity of our festival and our viewers, we must maintain a level of exclusivity.

Q: My film is longer than 10 minutes but I want it to be considered for the live screening?
A: Due to time restraints, and to be fair to other filmmakers, we can only allow films 10 minutes or shorter to be considered.

Q: Can I assemble a team for the film challenge and put some money behind the budget?
A: You can assemble how ever many people you want on your team and put as much money behind the budget, or you can shoot it on your smart phone and spend zero dollars. We only care if you adhere to the rules of the challenge. Higher budgeted films are just as important as no-budget films and one does not give you an advantage in being accepted.

Q: What if I have a question that isn’t covered here?
A: Email us at WeirdShortFilms@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to help.