Short films as an art form and springboard for young talents are a tradition at the Berlinale and enjoy high priority. In order to give this special format the attention it deserves, the Berlin International Film Festival presents short films in their own programme, Berlinale Shorts. For short films in the section Generation, the special regulations of that section apply.

The Festival Director invites films in agreement with the curator of the Berlinale Shorts section. Together they nominate at least 10 films from the entire Berlinale Shorts programme to take part in the short film Competition. The Festival Director is responsible for the selection of films.

1. Feature, documentary, experimental and animation films can be submitted for consideration.
2. Eligible screening formats are 16mm or 35mm as well as HDCAM, Digital Betacam (PAL) and Betacam SP (PAL).
3. Films must not exceed a running time of 25 minutes (including credits).
4. Films must have been produced in the 12 months preceding the Festival.
5. Participation in an international competition precludes participation in the Berlinale Shorts section. The film may have participated in a national festival in its country of origin.
6. The films may only have been commercially released in cinemas in their country of origin. A film may not take part in the Berlinale Shorts section if it has been shown on television or on the Internet.
7. German films must be world premieres. They may neither have been shown commercially nor previously screened at a festival.

The Festival Director reserves the right to resolve all cases not covered by guidelines and to grant exceptions in special cases. World premieres are given priority in the Selection process.

All films are shown in their original version with English subtitles.

German-language films are also shown with English subtitles.

The costs of subtitling are the responsibility of the producer.

The version released or planned for release in the country of origin is regarded as the original version of the film.

For selection purposes, film prints are preferred, but videocassettes and DVDs are also accepted.

For each film selected, the Festival must immediately receive detailed documentation, including a synopsis of the film, a complete biography and filmography of the director, several film still photos, a recent photo of the director and a complete list of the cast and crew.

An International Jury consisting of at least three German and foreign personalities is appointed to award the prices for short films. No person who has participated in the Berlinale Shorts production or promotion of any film in may serve on the Jury.

 

The Festival Director or a representative appointed by him may attend Jury deliberations, but not take part in voting. Jury members are sworn to secrecy. Jury discussions and ballots remain strictly confidential, even after the Festival has ended.

The Jury is obliged to award to short films in competition:

The Jury also awards the Prix UIP for the best European short film and the DAAD Short Film Prize for a short film selected from the entire Berlinale Shorts section.

 

The awards will be presented during the short film awards ceremony. Each film selected receives a Certificate of Participation.

 

For all further questions, the General Regulations of the Berlin International Film Festival will be applied.

Download the Berlinale Shorts Regulations Form 2009, PDF (63 KB)