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The Reel Champions Shorts Fest

LOOK DINE-IN CINEMAS (GLENDALE, CA)
OCT 24-25, 2026
2 YEARS RUNNING
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Deadlines

JAN 13, 2026Opens
FEB 14, 2026Early Bird Deadline
APR 18, 2026Regular Deadline
MAY 16, 2026Extended Deadline
JUN 13, 2026Final Deadline

About festival

The Reel Champions Shorts Fest

TRC Shorts Fest showcases films created by women and non-binary folks to celebrate their unique voices and create more platforms for creatives of marginalized genders. We aim to provide a unique opportunity for filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience and network with likeminded industry professionals who are dedicated to achieving gender parity in entertainment. Submit your film today to be considered!

Festival Amenities

Industry PanelsAfter PartiesFilmmaker EventsQ&A SessionsAll Access BadgesPriority SeatingSocial Media SpotlightFestival Catalog

Accepted Content

Genres:
action-adventuresci-fiComedyHorrorDramaComing of Age
MysteryFantasyWesternActionAdventureDocumentaryBiographyCrimeMusicalRomanceScience FictionThrillerWarHistory
Sub-Genres:
FeministSocial Issueslgbtq-plushuman-rights-social-impactHuman Rightsstudent
Social ImpactComing of AgeBlack ComedyBuddy ComedyBio PicEnvironmentalFantasy-ComedyFantasy-DramaMockumentaryPeriod PiecePoliticalPsychological ThrillerRomantic ComedySilentSportsSuspenseDetectiveDarkCyber PunkMartial Arts
Film Types:
NarrativeDocumentaryExperimentalNon-Fiction
Categories:
Short FilmDocumentary
Festival Focus:
BIPOCDocumentaryEmerging FilmmakersStudentSocial ChangeActivism

Submission Categories

Narrative Short

Scripted short films in any genre. Please note, we will only select films with a female-identifying or non-binary person in at least one of the following roles: Director, DP, Editor, Screenwriter, Production Designer, or Sound Designer.

Fee: $25Deadline: June 13, 2026
Type: Film

Documentary Short

Non-scripted short films in any genre. Please note, we will only select films with a female-identifying or non-binary person in at least one of the following roles: Director, DP, Editor, Screenwriter, Production Designer, or Sound Designer.

Fee: $25Deadline: June 13, 2026
Type: Film

Student Short - Narrative OR Documentary

Scripted OR Non-scripted short films in any genre made while in an undergraduate or graduate program. Please note, we will only select films with a female-identifying or non-binary person in at least one of the following roles: Director, DP, Editor, Screenwriter, Production Designer, or Sound Designer.

Fee: $25Deadline: June 13, 2026
Type: Film

Contact

thereelchamps.com

Festival Rules

DIRECTOR/CREW HEAD REQUIREMENTS:

- Films submitting to Best Genre-related prizes MUST be directed by a female-identifying or non-binary person. - Films submitting to department head prizes MUST have a female-identifying or non-binary person in the allotted role (DP, writer, Editor, Production Designer, Sound Designer). - Directors and department heads are highly encouraged to attend the fest in person to participate in the live Q&A after the screening. If they cannot attend, there will be an option to record a video to be played during the Q&A.

FILM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

- Films must be between 1 minute and 25 minutes in length (including credits). - There are no restrictions in terms of completion date, premiere status, or online release. - Films submitted to the “Student Film” category must have been completed while attending a graduate or undergraduate program. - The applicant holds the sole responsibility of copyright clearance of any copyrighted material in the film. Films including unauthorized copyrighted material are ineligible. - Films not in English must be subtitled in English unless dialogue is minimal and not necessary for the comprehension of the Film. - Films submitted by mail or email will not be considered. - If the submitted film link does not play, the password does not work, or the film is otherwise not viewable, TRC reserves the right to disqualify the film without refunding the submission fees. It is the responsibility of the person submitting the film to update any changed passwords or links. Providing a backup online preview link (Vimeo, YouTube) of the film on the submission application is preferred but not required. - Submission fees are non-refundable.

DELIVERABLE REQUIREMENTS:

Selected films will be required to provide: - DCP file - Director and/or Crew Head headshots - Director and/or Crew Head Bio - Stills - BTS photos (if available) - logline - poster Trailers are encouraged but not required

SELECTION & AWARD PROCESS:

- Official selections will be notified by email and announced on our website and social media. Our decision is final and no feedback will be provided on non-selected films. - Awards will be announced at the live event and afterwards on social media and our website. Winners will receive prizes and a laurel. - Any film chosen to screen is considered an “Official Selection" and will receive a Laurel from our team. - TRC reserves the right not to award any or all categories.

LIVE EVENT TERMS:

- The live screening is a ticketed event. Project entry fee on FilmFreeway does not constitute a ticket to the live event, only entry in the festival competition. As directors and department heads are encouraged to attend the live Q&A, they will receive a complimentary event ticket. - We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms. - By Submitting, you grant The Reel Champions Shorts Fest permission to screen your film publicly during the festival and use excerpts or stills for promotion.