Submission Rules | 2026

• Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023.

• Submission entries must be 20 (twenty) minutes or less.

• All submission fees are non-refundable.

• All submissions should be submitted digitally as an attached downloadable file. No YouTube, Vimeo, or external website links, please.

• Filmmaker must have all clearances including trademark and/or copyrighted materials shown must have authorized permission. Filmmaker remains entirely liable for any claims that may occur in result of screening the film.

• All submissions received by final deadline of November 15, 2025, will be reviewed. All applicants will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance by December 15, 2025.

• Filmmaker authorizes the Shorts in Winter Short Film Festival permission to screen their film at the festival and all festival-related events.

• While the filmmaker retains all rights to their work, the filmmaker grants permission to Shorts in Winter Short Film Festival to use submitted footage or stills in all such marketing materials deemed necessary to promote the festival.

• You may submit any number of titles; however, a separate entry form & fee are required for each title.

• If the Festival determines a work is entered in the wrong category and needs to reassign it, any discrepancy in entry fees between the categories must be paid by the filmmaker.

Category Definitions

• Shorts made by North Shore residents: Filmmakers who live in the North Shore region of Minnesota, which includes but is not limited to the following North Shore cities: Beaver Bay, Duluth, Finland, Grand Marais, Knife River, Lutsen, Schroeder, Silver Bay, Tofte, Two Harbors. These films do not need to be filmed on the North Shore.

• Shorts made by North Shore students: Filmmakers who are currently enrolled in school (includes k-12 and all colleges & universities) AND who live in the North Shore region of Minnesota, which includes but is not limited to the following North Shore cities: Beaver Bay, Duluth, Finland, Grand Marais, Knife River, Lutsen, Schroeder, Silver Bay, Tofte, Two Harbors. These films do not need to be filmed on the North Shore.

• Shorts filmed on the North Shore: Films that have been at least 50% filmed on the North Shore of Minnesota.

• Shorts filmed in Minnesota: Films that have been entirely filmed anywhere in Minnesota; the filmmaker does not have to live in Minnesota.

• Minnesota filmmakers: Films created by filmmakers who live in Minnesota but do not live on the North Shore.