The Kickback
On a warm evening, Tonya “Yaya” Hudson brings her family together for a lively backyard kickback—music playing, food cooking, laughter
Phobias
A group of friends wake up trapped in an abandoned building — and their captor isn’t a stranger. She’s someone
Shaken
When a young waitress is assaulted by her manager, she delves into a world of revenge, plotting to poison him
BAFTA-Winning Director Kate Cheeseman’s “Between the Piers” Named Best Short of March 2026 at Indie Short Fest
A woman’s search for her mother’s lost wedding ring along a windswept coastline becomes an intimate exploration of grief and reconnection.
German Docu-Fiction “Halima” Named Best Foreign Language Short of March 2026 at Indie Short Fest
A Somali woman’s journey home after reconstructive surgery following female genital mutilation becomes a story of survival and identity.
Other Standout Winners of March 2026 at Indie Short Fest
This edition’s Awards of Excellence recognize “A Reflection Of You,” “Clean Slate,” and “Gravy Train”: three films distinguished by their distinct narrative approaches, tonal control, and clarity of concept.
Short Script Competition of March 2026
March 2026 brings five short scripts that move between psychological horror, social realism, fractured memory, and surreal metaphor, showcasing writers with clear authorial identity and disciplined narrative control.
Indie Short Fest Announces March 2026 Award Winners
We are pleased to unveil the award winners of March 2026 edition. The full list is presented below in two
March 2026: The Nominees for Best Short of the Season (Special Jury Awards)
Learn more about the 10 nominees for Best Short of March, contenders for the special jury awards of this season. All award winners, from the different sections, will be announced shortly.
Indie Short Fest Sponsors Horror Short Film Competition at LMU
A new horror film competition at Loyola Marymount University brings emerging filmmakers to the big screen—where five finalists will compete live, with a pathway to Indie Short Fest.