Minimalen International Short Film Competition 2027 with Prizes of Up to €1,000

The Minimalen Short Film Festival is accepting submissions for the International Competition at its 2027 edition, which will take place in Trondheim, Norway, from January 12 to 17, 2027.

The competition welcomes recent short films from around the world, excluding the Nordic countries. Eligible submissions include fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and music films, as well as works that combine two or more cinematic genres.

The festival gives filmmakers the opportunity to screen their work before an international audience and a specialised jury, while connecting with directors, producers, and professionals from across the film industry.

Participation represents one of the diverse international opportunities available in the arts and culture sector and offers a platform for cultural and artistic exchange among filmmakers from different countries and backgrounds. However, it is not classified as an academic fellowship or a fully funded opportunity.

Accepted Film Categories

The International Competition accepts submissions in the following categories:

• Short fiction films.
• Animated films.
• Short documentary films.
• Experimental films.
• Music films.
• Hybrid works combining two or more cinematic genres.

Applications are welcome from:

• Professional storytellers.
• Independent artists.
• Artistic groups and ensembles.
• Theatre and performance artists.
• Workshop facilitators.
• Lecturers and storytelling specialists.
• Artists working in education and cultural heritage.
• Social project leaders who use storytelling as a core methodology.
• Artists and artistic groups from outside Norway.

Selected filmmakers will receive:

• The opportunity to screen their film at an international short film festival in Norway.
• Evaluation by an international jury.
• The chance to compete for the Best International Film Award.
• The Minimalen Trophy for the winning film.
• A €1,000 cash prize for Best International Film.
• The opportunity to compete for the €500 Audience Award.
• The possibility of winning the Raskin Spirit Festival Award.
• An invitation for all directors of selected films to attend the festival.
• One complimentary festival accreditation for each selected director.
• Access to all Minimalen festival programmes.
• Networking opportunities with filmmakers, industry professionals, and international audiences.
• Greater professional visibility within the short film sector.

See also: Various and Outstanding International Awards and Competitions

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