Oscar-qualifying film festivals
For the Academy Awards’ short film categories — Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short — a film can become eligible by winning a designated award at an Academy-accredited “qualifying” festival, without needing a paid theatrical run.
Each accredited festival has one or more specified awards that confer eligibility. Win the right award, follow the Academy’s submission rules, and your short joins the reminder list voters consider.
The festivals below carry Oscar-qualifying status. Use it to plan a submission strategy, then build the screening itself on Screening Studio.
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Frequently asked
- What does “Oscar-qualifying” mean?
- It means the festival is accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and winning a specified award there makes a short film eligible for Academy Award consideration in its category.
- Does every award at a qualifying festival count?
- No. Each festival has specific designated awards (often Best of category or a Grand Prize) that grant eligibility. Other prizes at the same festival may not qualify.
- Do feature films qualify this way?
- This route is for the short film categories. Feature eligibility follows separate Academy rules, typically involving a qualifying theatrical run.
Planning a screening of your own?
Build a branded screening page, collect submissions, and — for UK public showings — prepare the cinema licensing in one place.
Status flags reflect published lists by the respective bodies. Data attributions on the credits page.