Tier 2 · FIAPF accredited

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival

Oberhausen, Germany

BAFTA qualifyingOscar qualifying

Submission deadline: 18 January 2027
Entry fee: Free to submit
Premiere: National premiere required
Formats accepted: Shorts, Documentaries, Animation, Experimental, Music videos
Next edition: 2027

Last verified 5 July 2026

About Oberhausen International Short Film Festival

The Oberhausen International Short Film Festival is a major event celebrating the short film form through competitive programs and thematic sections.

Awards this festival can qualify you for

BAFTA Short · British Short Film
Acceptance into at least two BAFTA-qualifying festivals makes a British short eligible for the EE BAFTA British Short Film award.
CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short
Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film
Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary
Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
CSA Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Live Action Short Drama
Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.
Oscar Animated Short · Animated Short Film
Must win the Grand Prize – International Competition (qualifies regardless of whether the film is live action, animated, or documentary).
Oscar Documentary Short · Documentary Short Subject
Must win the Grand Prize – International Competition (qualifies regardless of format — the same prize covers live action, animated, and documentary).
Oscar Live Action Short · Live Action Short Film
Must win the Grand Prize – International Competition. One of the oldest qualifying festivals; the same prize qualifies for both live action and documentary.

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival submission FAQ

When is the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival submission deadline?

The main submission deadline for Oberhausen International Short Film Festival is around 18 January 2027. Confirmed for the current edition.

How much does it cost to submit to Oberhausen International Short Film Festival?

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival is free to submit to. Fees can vary by category and deadline tier, so check the official entry page.

Does Oberhausen International Short Film Festival require a premiere?

National premiere required. Protect your premiere status before you submit, as it is a one-time resource.

Is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival an award qualifying festival?

Yes. Oberhausen International Short Film Festival can qualify a film for BAFTA and an Academy Award (Oscar), subject to the specific category and condition for each award. The exact route differs per award body.

Where is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival held?

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival takes place in Oberhausen, Germany.

Is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival a scam, or is it legitimate?

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival is a legitimate, established film festival: it is listed in Circkit's curated, human-vetted festival database, which deliberately excludes known scam festivals and certificate mills; it holds FIAPF accreditation, an internationally recognised mark of a legitimate competitive festival; it ranks among the upper tiers of the festival circuit. As with any festival, confirm the current deadline and fee on the official site before you pay. You can also run Oberhausen International Short Film Festival through Circkit's free Scam Radar for an independent safety check.

Want an independent check? Run Oberhausen International Short Film Festival through the free Scam Radar.

Is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival right for your film?

Circkit scores this festival against your film, protects your premiere, and tracks the deadline for you. Free to start.

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Awards this festival can qualify you for

BAFTA Short · British Short Film

Acceptance into at least two BAFTA-qualifying festivals makes a British short eligible for the EE BAFTA British Short Film award.

CSA Animated · Canadian Screen Award — Best Animated Short

Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

CSA Doc Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Documentary Short Film

Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

CSA Feature Doc · Canadian Screen Award — Best Feature Length Documentary

Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

CSA Short · Canadian Screen Award — Best Live Action Short Drama

Winning a Best-of / jury distinction at this CSA-eligible international festival qualifies a feature documentary or theatrical short for the Canadian Screen Awards.

Oscar Animated Short · Animated Short Film

Must win the Grand Prize – International Competition (qualifies regardless of whether the film is live action, animated, or documentary).

Oscar Documentary Short · Documentary Short Subject

Must win the Grand Prize – International Competition (qualifies regardless of format — the same prize covers live action, animated, and documentary).

Oscar Live Action Short · Live Action Short Film

Must win the Grand Prize – International Competition. One of the oldest qualifying festivals; the same prize qualifies for both live action and documentary.

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival submission FAQ

When is the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival submission deadline?

The main submission deadline for Oberhausen International Short Film Festival is around 18 January 2027. Confirmed for the current edition.

How much does it cost to submit to Oberhausen International Short Film Festival?

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival is free to submit to. Fees can vary by category and deadline tier, so check the official entry page.

Does Oberhausen International Short Film Festival require a premiere?

National premiere required. Protect your premiere status before you submit, as it is a one-time resource.

Is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival an award qualifying festival?

Where is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival held?

Oberhausen International Short Film Festival takes place in Oberhausen, Germany.

Is Oberhausen International Short Film Festival a scam, or is it legitimate?