Hamburg International Short Film Festival

Hamburg International Short Film Festival was started in 1985 as a movie festival which was a far departure from the glamour and glitz of other film festivals around the world. The Short Film Festival sought to establish a separate podium for the talented film makers who made films on shoe string budget. Hamburg International Short Film Festival was initially called No Budget Film Festival. It was only in 1994 that the present name was adopted.

Hamburg International Short Film Festival has grown into a common plane on which filmmakers from various countries come and interact while appreciating each other’s work. This Film Festival in Hamburg also conducts an international competition for a short film which promises quality as well as originality, there is also a competition for No Budget films, which includes movies made without much funds spent. The awards given in the Hamburg International Short Film Festival include the Hamburg Short Film Award and Francois Ode Award, the latter award is a tribute to Agence du Court Metrage who lent invaluable support to ShortFilmAgency Hamburg. Other awards include Children’s Film Festival which welcomes movies made by 6-14 year-olds, Three Minute Quickie Competition on a particular theme and Made in Germany Jameson Award and Made in Germany Audience Award.

ShortFilmAgency coordinate the functioning of the Hamburg International Short Film Festival. The Festival lasts for a week from the first week of June to the second week.

The basis for festivals like Hamburg International Short Film Festival arises from the fact that only when a filmmaker is given creative license that he can live out his potential, this means that the filmmaker’s creative potency should not be tied down by the precepts of what is expected of a film.

Since its foundation, Hamburg International Short Film Festival has seen many talented filmmakers showcasing their talents. Many of the award winning archives are shown in the festival every year.