Submit your film or script

Submissions for Pittsburgh Shorts + Script Competition 2025 are OPEN!

Pittsburgh Shorts and Script Competition, a program of the Three Rivers Film Festival, presents the best contemporary short films from around the world and around the corner. This event has gained a reputation for curating an extremely high caliber of films, including those that have gone on to be Oscar nominees and winners. With a well-respected short script competition and filmmakers' conference, Pittsburgh Shorts has become a destination festival for creators from around the world.

Pittsburgh Shorts includes well-attended screenings, thoughtful filmmaker Q&As, live script readings by professional actors, generous cash awards, networking events, and super fun after-parties! The Filmmaker Conference offers informative talks, workshops, and panel discussions led by industry pros.

We hope you’ll submit your project and experience the festival other filmmakers have raved about. As a previous attendee said, "The Pittsburgh Shorts festival is one of the most professionally and thoughtfully run festivals I have had the pleasure of attending as a filmmaker and guest. Having had films in other festivals, including Sundance and Tribeca, I can confidently say that Pittsburgh Shorts is run as well as those, and with the character of Pittsburgh. The staff did an incredible job of attracting real talent to submit and attend. They kept the filmmakers networking all day and night, and we closed the bars with our after-parties each night.”

For more information about criteria, deadlines, awards, and more, please see our FilmFreeway and Coverfly pages below!