Annual Awards 2026

8th Annual Independent Shorts Awards

September 19, 2026
Regal LA Live · Downtown Los Angeles

Independent Shorts Awards will return to Regal LA LIVE on September 19, 2026, for the 8th Annual Awards and Live Showcase, bringing filmmakers, cast members, industry guests, and audiences together for an in-person celebration of international short filmmaking in Los Angeles.

2026 Annual Nominees Announced

The nominees for the 2026 Annual Awards have now been announced.

Following the final round of judging, 71 films from 25 countries have received nominations across this year’s award categories. The nominations recognize outstanding achievements in filmmaking, directing, performance, storytelling, and technical and creative craft across the festival’s competitive categories.

Explore the 2026 Annual Awards nominees:
Nominees by Category | All Nominees (A–M) | All Nominees (N–Z)

From 3,409 Submissions to 71 Nominees

The 2026 Annual Awards feature the strongest projects recognized across the festival’s 12 monthly qualifying rounds held between July 2025 and July 2026.

From the original 3,409 submissions, representing 73 countries, 120 projects from 34 countries advanced to the Annual Finalists, the official long list and the top 3.52% of all submissions received during the qualifying cycle.

Following a new comparative review by the annual judging committee, the field was narrowed to 71 nominated films, now competing for the festival’s 2026 Best of the Year honors.

The complete 2026 Annual Finalists list can be viewed here:
Annual Finalists — Long List A–Ma | Annual Finalists — Long List Mo–Z

What Happens Next

The Annual Nominees now advance to the final stage of the 2026 annual competition.

Films selected for theatrical presentation are being contacted directly regarding exhibition materials and festival participation.

Live Showcase

The 2026 live event will feature a curated selection of nominated films presented across three auditoriums and 11 screening blocks, followed by the Annual Awards Show. The program will also include an industry panel, cocktail reception, red carpet photo call and interviews.

Additional information about the screenings, participating filmmakers, event schedule, tickets, and Awards Show will be released with the official program.

Event Information

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Venue: Regal LA LIVE
Location: 1000 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Annual Finalists: Announced — View the A–Ma and Mo–Z lists above
Annual Nominees: Coming soon
Official Screening Lineup: Coming soon
Festival Passes: On sale now
Screening Block Tickets: To be released following the official program announcement
Official Program: Coming soon

Previous Annual Edition

Explore the 2025 Annual Awards, including the award winners, official festival program, nominated films, interviews, red carpet, Spotlight Q&A, Awards Show, and event highlights.

View the 2025 Annual Awards

Explore Previous Annual Editions