In December, VideoAge received a film festival directory from the Cannes, France-based Film Daily focused on its “A-list international festivals,” which are connected to Oscar, BAFTA, and César recognition. Since the list is too long for our regular e-Beat newsletter feature, we’re posting it as a Water Cooler feature.
Alexandria Short Film Festival
Short features, documentaries, and animation up to 30 minutes. No prior submission or Egyptian premiere. English subtitles required.
American Black Film Festival
Features, documentaries, series episodes, and shorts by or about people of African descent. No prior exhibition. English or subtitled.
American Documentary Film Festival
Documentary and animation films of all lengths. Open to international and U.S. filmmakers. Premiere status required.
Annecy International Animation Film Festival
Frame-by-frame animation works across short, feature, TV, commissioned, graduation, and VR formats. French premiere required for features.
Brussels Short Film Festival
International and national short films up to 30 minutes. All genres accepted. Student section available. English subtitles required.
Calgary International Film Festival
Narrative, documentary, and animated films of all lengths from Canada and worldwide. Oscar-qualifying for select shorts.
Cleveland International Film Festival
Narrative, documentary, and animated features and shorts from all countries. City premiere required. Oscar-qualifying for short films.
Dallas International Film Festival
Narrative and documentary features and short films. Regional premiere required for features. Oscar-qualifying for select short film categories.
Doc Edge Festival
Feature and short documentaries. New Zealand premiere required. Academy Awards qualifying. English subtitles required.
Edmonton International Film Festival
Live-action and animated shorts, and dramatic and documentary features. Edmonton premiere required. Oscar-qualifying for short films.
Hiroshima International Animation Festival
Animated films for Short Competition and Feature Competition. Open to international submissions. Academy Award qualifier for select competitions.
Hong Kong International Film Festival
Features, documentaries, and short films for emerging directors. First to third films only. No prior Hong Kong screenings. English subtitles required.
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
Canadian and international documentaries of all lengths. Premiere status required for shorts and features. English or English-subtitled versions accepted.
International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
International and German short films up to 35-45 minutes. Premiere status required. Oscar, BAFTA, EFA, and ECFA qualifying.
Krakow International Film Festival
Feature documentaries and short films up to 30 minutes. International premieres required. Oscar, EFA, and BAFTA qualifying.
Shanghai International Film Festival
Feature and short films across narrative, documentary, and animation sections. World or international premieres preferred. FIAPF-accredited festival.
Sheffield DocFest
Documentary films of all lengths from around the world. Completed works only. Submission Window: November 2025-February 2026
Leave A Comment