Film Festival

Founded in 2019, Luminous Frames is an international film festival based in Denmark, dedicated to independent short cinema and bringing filmmakers, audiences and critics together across borders. Beginning in Denmark, the festival expanded its screenings to Armenia and Georgia, creating new opportunities for independent films to reach audiences across different cultural settings.

We approach films as works of cinema, rather than judging them by their alignment with particular social themes or viewpoints. What we value and celebrate is the artistic vision, skill and creativity that bring ideas to life on screen. This is where we believe the true power of short cinema lies, and it remains at the heart of our festival.

Competition

Explore our film categories, this edition's Special Theme Award (AI Movies), and Memento. Short films may be submitted to individual award categories independently or to multiple categories. We also have a Photography Contest, welcoming work across a range of photographic genres.

Awards & Prizes

Official Selection

Officially selected projects receive the Luminous Frames laurel and promotion through our website and social media. Selected films are considered for the edition's live screening programme. Selection does not guarantee a screening: depending on the edition, the programme may include the full Official Selection or be limited to winning films.

Winners

Film award winners receive the Luminous Frames certificate and special trophy. Winners may be invited to a website Q&A interview, subject to editorial scheduling and the filmmaker's participation. Winners may also be invited to join the jury of a future edition, subject to the festival's needs and their availability; an invitation is not automatic.

Any screening in a later edition or a separate event requires separate permission from the rights holder.

Main Film Categories

Best Narrative Short
Best Documentary Short
Best Animated Short
Best Experimental Short
Best Music Video

Additional Award Categories

Best Director
Best Producer
Best Short Script
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Best Original Score
Best Original Song
Best Visual Effects & Sound Design
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design & Makeup
Special Theme Award — AI Movies

Special Theme Award | AI Movies

This edition's theme: AI Movies.

If your film is entirely AI-generated, or more than 75% of it has been generated using AI, submit it in this category for an additional opportunity to compete for the Special Theme Award. This dedicated category recognises the artistic vision and creativity behind AI-generated films. Entry does not guarantee selection, nomination or an award.

All genres. Short films up to 40 minutes, produced between 2025 and 2027 (inclusive). English subtitles are required, including for English-language films.

Memento

A category dedicated to short films produced between 2010 and 2024 (inclusive). Whether your film has already found recognition or deserves another opportunity to reach an audience, Memento offers a new context in which to appreciate its cinematic qualities. Any genre, under 40 minutes.

Optional Editorial Services — Separate from the Competition

These categories are for editorial coverage, not competition entry. Purchasing a review or interview does not enter a film into the competition, influence judging, or guarantee selection, an award or a screening. Competition submissions must be made separately. Reviews offer independent critical perspectives; payment does not guarantee a positive review.

Short Film Review | Minority Report — $35

An independent written review of your short film, for publication on the Luminous Frames website. Open to short films up to 40 minutes. Submit a complete screener with English subtitles, including for English-language films. The fee covers critical editorial work and does not guarantee a positive review. It does not include a competition entry, Official Selection, an award, a screening or an interview.

Feature Film Review | The Bounty — $70

An independent written review of your feature film, for publication on the Luminous Frames website. Submit a complete feature-length screener with English subtitles, including for English-language films. The fee covers critical editorial work and does not guarantee a positive review. It does not include a competition entry, Official Selection, an award, a screening or an interview.

Filmmaker Interview | Frame Talks — $35

An editorial interview exploring your filmmaking practice, creative decisions and the story behind your film, for publication in Frame Talks on the Luminous Frames website. The filmmaker must participate in the interview and provide the requested project information and approved publicity materials. Format and schedule will be coordinated with the editorial team. It does not include a film review or competition entry and does not confer Official Selection, award or screening status.

Short Film Review + Interview | Editorial Package — $59

A combined editorial package: an independent written review of one short film up to 40 minutes, plus a filmmaker interview for publication on the Luminous Frames website. Submit a complete screener with English subtitles, including for English-language films, and participate in the interview. Format and schedule will be coordinated with the editorial team. Payment does not guarantee a positive review, and the package does not include a competition entry or confer Official Selection, award or screening status.

Film Festival Rules & Terms

All submitted films must include English subtitles, including films whose original language is English.

For the eighth edition, films must have been produced between 2025 and 2027 (inclusive), except for the Memento category. Only in the Memento category, you can submit shorts produced between 2010 and 2024 (inclusive).

The short-film competition accepts all genres with a maximum length of 40 minutes. Feature Film Review is a separate editorial service for feature-length films.

You can submit your short film in the sub-category sections independently.

Filmmakers are responsible for the copyright on their own materials and must have the rights to the material (e.g. music) used in the film.

By submitting to the competition, you authorize the screening of your film only as part of the official programme of the edition to which it is submitted. Screenings in later editions or at any separate event require separate permission from the rights holder. Editorial service submissions do not grant screening permission.

Luminous Frames has the right to promote clips from your film on social media, based on the press kits you provide us with and excerpts of the original movie.

Luminous Frames retains the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through our online platforms.

Entry fees are non-refundable. Filmmakers own all the rights to their films.

By submitting your project, you agree to these Rules & Terms and to receive essential communications about your submission and festival participation. Submission does not constitute consent to marketing newsletters or promotional emails. We will never sell your information to third parties.

We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.

Discover previous nominees and winners on IMDb.

Please read the Rules & Terms and the description of your chosen category before submitting. See the current deadlines and entry fees on FilmFreeway.

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