SUBMISSION RULES
SEASON 3 // OFFICIAL GUIDELINES & REGULATIONS
Dates & Deadlines
- Opening Date:November 1, 2026
- Early Bird Deadline:February 1, 2027
- Regular Deadline:April 1, 2027
- Late Deadline:June 1, 2027
- Notification Date:August 1, 2027
- Season 3 Festival Night:Late 2027 (Date TBD)
- 2nd Edition Festival Night:September 27, 2026 (Done)
Regulations
- Budget max: 100,000 EUR/USD
- Produced within last 5 years (since Jan 2022)
- English subtitles required if non-English
- Max length: 20 minutes
- All rights must be cleared
OFFICIAL COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Every category winner is awarded an official custom heavyweight physical trophy presented live on stage at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema in Valletta during our 2027 Festival Night.
No Budget Short
Total budget under €1,000. Pure guerrilla filmmaking where ingenuity and grit triumph over financial constraints.
Micro Budget Short
Budgets between €1,000 and €10,000. Resourceful indie cinema executed with precision, strong performances, and sharp vision.
Low Budget Short
Budgets between €10,000 and €100,000. Auteur vision, high craftsmanship, and impactful cinematic storytelling.
Best Student / Emerging Maltese Filmmaker
Created exclusively for Season 3 to champion and uplift the next generation of Maltese cinema. Open to film students currently enrolled in education or emerging Maltese directors producing their first independent works.
Best Local Hero Short Film
Celebrating outstanding short films produced in Malta or helmed by Maltese filmmakers, highlighting the growing power and passion of our local film community.
Official Genre Category Awards
Drama
Best Drama ShortComedy
Best Comedy ShortHorror
Best Horror ShortSci-Fi / Fantasy
Best Sci-Fi / FantasyAnimation
Best Animated ShortSubmission Process
The 2nd Edition of the Zero To Hero Short Film Festival officially concluded after an incredible screening night at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema on Sunday, 27th September 2026. Submissions for Season 3 officially open on November 1, 2026 exclusively on FilmFreeway, with festival deadlines extending through 2027! Prepare your screeners and project details.
Terms & Conditions
There are no limits to the number of films that a producer or filmmaker may register. There are no restrictions on genre or subject matter, and films from any country are welcome to submit.
You grant Zero To Hero Short Film Festival the right to use clips or images from your film and/or press kit for promotional purposes. Films and scripts will be judged on creativity, storytelling, technical quality, originality, and impact. We are particularly interested in works that push artistic boundaries or offer new perspectives. The jury’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
We cannot provide refunds. By submitting to us you agree to our terms and conditions.