Thames River UK-China Short Film Festival 2026

Welcome to the Short Film Festival 2026, a vibrant celebration of storytelling, innovation, and emerging voices from across the globe. Scheduled to take place in February 2026, this festival is dedicated to showcasing the most original and boundary-pushing works in short-form cinema.

This year, we place a special spotlight on the intersection of AI and environmental sustainability, with a dedicated award recognizing the most compelling short film exploring how AI affects or supports ecological wellbeing.

All submissions must be under 40 minutes, and filmmakers are welcome to submit to multiple relevant categories. Whether you're a student, emerging artist, or seasoned creative, this is your opportunity to engage with a global audience and be part of a cutting-edge creative community.

Join us in February 2026 as we celebrate the power of short film to entertain, challenge, and inspire.

Basic requirements:

Films must not be longer than 40 minutes (please contact us if you wish to submit a film which exceeds this time limit).
A film can be submitted to multiple categories for consideration, as long as it could be considered to meet each of those categories’ requirements.
Submissions not in English must have english subtitles.

Key dates

📅 Registration Deadline: 31 October 2025

All filmmakers must complete their registration by this date to be eligible for submission.

📅 Submission Deadline: 31 December 2025

Final date to submit your film for consideration. Late submissions will not be accepted.

📅 Judging Period: January 2026
Our jury panel will review all eligible entries and select finalists for screening and awards.

📅 Festival Dates: February 2026 (Exact dates TBC)
Join us for screenings, discussions, networking, and the official awards ceremony.

Animation

This category is for all forms of animation - including hand-drawn, 2D, 3D, stop-motion, claymation, rotoscope, and other creative techniques. Whether your film is whimsical, experimental, narrative-driven, or abstract, if it is animated by hand or digital craft, this is the space to showcase your work.

Please note: Films made using AI to create visual effects will NOT be considered for this category (if you have any questions about this, please contact us.)

AI

This category is for films created using AI in any capacity. Special consideration will be given to films which use AI technology innovatively and creatively to explore new areas of filmmaking. AI films which replace human creativity with AI generated content will not be favoured.

Area of Focus:
This year, considering the recent explosion of AI generated content, and its relationship with environmental sustainability, in this category, there will be an award for the best AI short film to focus on the relationship between AI and the environment. This may be in the effect of AI on the environment, or the ways in which AI might be used to mitigate current threats to the planet’s ecology.

Documentary

This category is open to non-fiction short films that explore real people, places, events, and ideas. We welcome documentaries of all styles and formats — from investigative and journalistic pieces to personal stories, observational films, and creative nonfiction.

Whether your film highlights a social issue, profiles an individual or community, captures a unique moment in time, or offers an unconventional take on the documentary form, this is the space to share truth-driven storytelling that resonates.

There are no restrictions on subject matter, and we encourage submissions from both emerging and established filmmakers who bring fresh perspectives and compelling narratives to light.

Let your documentary open minds, spark dialogue, and inspire change.

Experimental

This category is for short films that challenge the conventions of traditional filmmaking. Whether through structure, technique, aesthetics, or narrative form, experimental films push boundaries and invite audiences to experience cinema in unexpected ways.

We welcome works that explore abstraction, nonlinear storytelling, sound/image manipulation, unconventional editing, or hybrid formats that blur the lines between genres and disciplines.

If your film breaks rules, redefines cinematic language, or offers a sensory or conceptual experience beyond the mainstream, this is where it belongs.

Surprise us. Confuse us. Move us. Most of all — experiment.

Student

This category is open to all short films created by students, regardless of academic level or field of study. Whether you're in high school, university, film school, or an independent learning program, we invite you to share your voice and vision.

All genres, styles, and formats are welcome — from narrative to documentary, animation to experimental. This is a space to showcase emerging talent, bold ideas, and new perspectives from the next generation of filmmakers.

If you’re a student with a story to tell, we want to see it.

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Miscellaneous

Not sure where your film fits? This category is for short films that don’t fall neatly into our other categories, or that creatively blend elements from multiple genres and styles.

We welcome hybrid works, genre-bending pieces, and innovative shorts that defy easy classification. If your film is unique, unconventional, or or simply doesn't align with the categories of Animation, AI, Documentary, Experimental, Alternative Medium, or Student — submit it here.

Let your originality speak for itself.

Is there a special theme or focus for 2026?

Yes — the special theme for the 2026 edition of the Short Film Festival is AI: Storytelling at the Intersection of Innovation and Impact.

For 2026, we’re placing a spotlight on short films that explore:

How artificial intelligence is shaping our relationship with the planet
The environmental impact (positive or negative) of AI technologies
Creative uses of AI to raise awareness or propose solutions to ecological issues
The philosophical or ethical dimensions of technology and nature

Related Award:

A dedicated AI shorfilm award will be presented to the short film that best addresses this intersection — either thematically, visually, or conceptually.

This theme does not limit submissions to only environmental topics — all regular categories remain open — but it provides a unique opportunity for filmmakers to engage with one of the most pressing questions of our time.

Who can submit a film?

The festival is open to filmmakers via of all backgrounds—students, emerging artists, and established professionals—from around the world. We encourage diverse voices and innovative storytelling.

How can I submit my film?

Typically, entries are accepted via film submission platforms FilmFreeway.

What formats do you accept?

We accept digital film submissions in common formats such as .mp4 and .mov, with HD resolution (minimum 720p). Subtitles must be included for non-English films.

What do winners receive?

Winners receive official laurels, social media promotion, and eligibility for jury or audience awards. Select films may also be featured in future showcase screenings, film or promotional campaigns.

Can I attend the festival in person?

Absolutely! We encourage filmmakers and film enthusiasts to join us for screenings, Q&As, and networking events. Details on ticketing and passes will be announced closer to the festival dates.

For more information, visit our website or contact us. We can’t wait to see your films!

Can I submit the same film to more than one category?

Yes. You may submit your film to multiple categories as long as it meets each category's specific criteria. A separate fee may apply for each category submission.

Do you offer fee waivers or discounts?

Yes. We offer the following discounts:

Early Bird Discount: Submit your film before the registration deadline (October 30, 2025) to receive 25% off the standard submission fee.
Student Discount: Students are eligible for reduced submission fees in the Student Category. Proof of current or recent student status may be required.

We do not currently offer general fee waivers, but may consider special cases upon request. Please contact us if you have questions.

Walter Craftson

/ Executive Producer /

Cole Sullivan

/ Chief Officer /

David Fitch

/ Director /

It's what we do.

We host an annual international short film festival that celebrates creativity, innovation, and bold storytelling across a diverse range of cinematic categories. From animation and documentary to experimental and AI-generated films, our platform gives voice to both emerging and established filmmakers pushing the boundaries of short-form storytelling.

Through curated screenings, awards, and global exposure, we aim to provide a meaningful platform for creative talent to connect, grow, and inspire audiences around the world.

And why do we do this.

We believe that storytelling has the power to change the world — and that the most important stories are often told by those just beginning their journey.

This festival was created to support young and independent filmmakers, offering them the visibility, encouragement, and recognition they deserve. We’re particularly passionate about supporting films that explore the intersection of AI and environmental sustainability, because we recognize the urgent need for creativity to respond to global challenges.

As artificial intelligence reshapes how we make and consume media, we want to ask important questions: What role can AI play in creative expression? How might it help us address the planet’s most pressing issues?

By spotlighting films that reflect on these questions, we’re fostering not only innovation in film — but a deeper, more responsible conversation about the future.