To Submit to the 2026 Shorts Fest, click the following button:
Film Rules & Terms:
Film submission criteria AT A GLANCE:
• Films must be created on or inspired by the island of Nantucket.
• Film length: 2-10 minutes.
• Films cannot be a commercial for a local business.
• Films must be submitted by 9/17/26. To qualify for the Early Bird submission discount, they must be submitted by 8/24/26.
• Films must have a beginning, middle, and an end.
• The Regular submission fee is $40. The Early Bird submission fee is $35.
• Top films will be selected by a jury and shown at the Dreamland Theatre. All films will be shown on NCTV Channel 8 & 1072.
• Filmmakers will be notified of their selection level by 10/2/2.
• All music must have music rights and be appropriately cleared.
• Submission format: 1080p /24p/ h.264
Detailed Rules and Terms:
Premiere status is not required.
Non-English films must be subtitled in English. For accessibility, English language shorts must have the option of English captioning.
Nantucket Shorts Fest can only accept, consider, and notify entries submitted with a valid entry form and a non-refundable entry fee. To be considered for Nantucket Shorts Fest, entrants must fill out the entry form on FilmFreeway. Entrants must submit a Secure Online Screener. Entry Fee payment must be made online through FilmFreeway. Fee waivers will be provided on a case-by-case basis. Due to the limited number of fee waivers, we cannot guarantee that you will receive one, even if you meet the criteria outlined below. Eligibility for a Fee Waiver will depend on the following:
• You lack the financial means to pay our submission fee, either partially or in full.
• You are unable to pay the submission fee for political/geographical reasons outside of your control.
For Late Deadline submissions, please contact the Director of Programming at info@ournctv.org before submission.
All films will be notified of their status in 10/2/26. If your contact information or premiere status changes between entry submission and our notification date, please update your information on FilmFreeway and email any changes to the Nantucket Shorts Fest programmers at: info@ournctv.org
Entrants must be legally authorized to enter their film in Nantucket Shorts Fest, and the entry must not be subject to any claims or litigation and must not be threatened by any claims or litigation. It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials in the film. The entrant releases and discharges Nantucket Shorts Fest and NCTV, its employees, and agents from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action related to misappropriation or infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising out of or relating to the film submission.
By agreeing to the terms and conditions on the entry form for Nantucket Shorts Fest, the entrant submitting a film to Nantucket Shorts Festival acknowledges that s/he has read, understood, and agrees to the rules and guidelines described above.
FINALISTS:
In the event that a submission is accepted as a finalist by Nantucket Shorts Fest, the finalist hereby agrees to the following rights and requests and grants to Nantucket Shorts Fest without reservations, conditions or qualifications:
Nantucket Shorts Fest (NSF) & Nantucket Community Television (NCTV) reserve the right to screen an exhibition-quality digital file of the film from October 10th, 2026 - October 9th, 2027 in front of a live audience at the Dreamland Theater in Nantucket, MA. NCTV, NSF, & the Nantucket Dreamland will retain all the ticket revenue from these screenings. NSF & NCTV also reserve the right to stream an online version of the films via a pay-per-view website from October 10th, 2026 - October 9th, 2027 and to retain all the revenue from this pay-per-view website. Furthermore, NSF & NCTV reserve the right to stream an online version for free and to broadcast a version on NCTV's TV channels for free, indefinitely.
Nantucket Shorts Fest reserves the right to coordinate ALL publicity and press outreach concerning the film’s presentation leading up to and at the festival event, including but not limited to:
The right to use excerpted clips, trailers, still images and/or titles, and information from or relating to the film for promotional purposes in all media including Nantucket Shorts Fest channels/website.
The right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the film and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information.
Nantucket Shorts Fest reserves the right to collect any and all proceeds fundraised at the event including but not limited to: festival tickets, auction items, sponsorships, and pledges. All funds raised will be contributed to the Nantucket Community Television’s educational programs.
If you cannot afford the submission fee for your Nantucket Shorts Fest submission, kindly contact the programmers at info@ournctv.org with a letter explaining your circumstances to receive your waiver.
Nantucket Shorts Fest programmers encourage applications from people of all races, religions, national origins, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and ages, as well as veterans and individuals with disabilities. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are from a marginalized or underrepresented group, particularly in the film industry. Nantucket Shorts Festival programmers reserve the right to consider for inclusion in the event, and include in the event, films received at any time and through any means, channel, or process, including means, channels, or methods other than those outlined in these Terms. Nothing in these terms or otherwise requires Nantucket Shorts Fest programmers to select for event inclusion any of the films submitted through the process outlined in these terms. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian submit on their behalf.
Nantucket Shorts Fest is a signature festival event of the 501(c)(3) organization, Nantucket Community Television, Inc.
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
• The Shorts Committee is available to guide you through the filmmaking process. Need to get in touch? Email us at <info@ournctv.org>.
• NCTV has loaner gear (cameras, tripods, lights etc.) available for your production as well as film editing facilities. Contact NCTV at <info@ournctv.org>.
