Submit your short film to Playgrounds International Film Festival 2026 and you can take home the Imagine Everything Award of € 1000,- !
Join us for the second edition of PIFF and celebrate the most beautifully crafted films, while also focussing on the art behind the scenes. We’ll put the spotlight on films that are audio-visually innovative, eye-candy for the eye, trailblazing new techniques or showcasing incredible craftsmanship for the story.
For our Imagine Everything competition we are specifically looking for the short film gems that make our hearts stop with their audio-visual beauty, dazzle our minds with their artistry, push conventions and make us constantly wonder: “How on Earth did they make this?”
If you feel like your work fits the bill, send it our way!
GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Festival submissions are open to short films of all genres: animation, live-action, documentary, experimental, music videos as well as hybrid formats. Films need to have been finished after January 1, 2023, and not previously submitted to our festival.
AI generated films are not eligible.
Conditions for submissions:
- The film is no longer than 20 minutes.
- The film stands out in its (audio)visual form. All genres are accepted.
- Work in progress is NOT accepted.
- The film has English encrypted subtitles, or no dialogue.
- 3 high-res stills (including 1 behind the scenes / making of photo), synopsis, trailer and viewing link need to be uploaded upon submission.
- DCP is the only accepted film format. Please make sure that the DCP is not encrypted and that is has been tested in a cinema beforehand.
- A director can submit max. 3 films.
- A film selected for a previous edition of PIFF is not eligible
- Use ONLY this online form for submissions.
ENRTY FEE & DEADLINES:
This edition we are operating with a low entry fee, primarily meant to ensure the quality of the selection process. The film you submit will be handled with care by our professional team and is being viewed by professional curators and programmers.
After you have submitted the film, the fee can’t be reclaimed.
Distributors and film institutions can get a discount for multiple submissions. To be considered, please get in touch with our programming team: piff@weareplaygrounds.nl
Early Bird: € 10,- / submission
Deadline: 14 September
Regular: € 15,- / submission
Deadline: 12 November
This includes VAT- and PayPal charges.
A film will be considered by the Festival’s appointed selection committee once the online form has been filled out and the screener of the film has arrived before 12 November 23.59 CET 2025.
Selected films will be entitled to a reimbursement of their entry fee + a small screening fee. This payment is ONLY eligible for those being able to send an official invoice.
Please read the General Terms & Conditions here.
