KINO Short Film Festival

Overview

The KINO Short Film Festival celebrates filmmaking and filmmakers in AND from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. If you've shot a short film in, or were born and raised in Washington, Idaho, Montana Oregon or Alaska, we want to see your work! For 2026, we are expanding our categories, offering more screenings than ever before. We'll be accepting and screening projects in: - Narrative Short - Documentary Short - Animation - Music Video - Experimental The goal of KINO Film Fest has always been to showcase and support short films and filmmakers in the Pacific Northwest. We accept projects of any genre from across the skill spectrum - professional, hobbyist, and student. We want to support the art of filmmaking in the PNW, bringing the community together. A Two-Day Celebration of Filmmaking We recently expanded our festival to two days, allowing for an even greater showcase of outstanding short films from emerging voices in cinema. With increased screening opportunities, more filmmakers than ever before will have the chance to share their work with an engaged audience of cinephiles, creatives, and industry professionals. A Premier Venue for Student and Aspiring Filmmakers The Kino Short Film Festival is held every spring in Moscow, Idaho, at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre. This event showcases short films by filmmakers from the Pacific Northwest, including aspiring filmmakers from film programs in Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Montana. Moscow sits uniquely in the middle of many great film programs in the Northwest, making it a perfect location to host this amazing little festival. Meet and mingle with the upcoming talent joining the industry, and perhaps find a new partner to collaborate with! New Workshops Led by Industry Experts We are committed to not only showcasing talent but also fostering it. Last year, we introduced a series of professional-led workshops covering key aspects of the filmmaking process, and we are bringing them back for 2026! These interactive sessions will provide invaluable insights, hands-on learning opportunities, and meaningful mentorship from established industry professionals. Be Part of the Movement Whether you're an established filmmaker and creator, an aspiring filmmaker, a student passionate about storytelling, or a devoted fan of independent cinema, the 26th Annual KINO Short Film Festival is your chance to experience the future of filmmaking. Join us as we celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the power of short-form storytelling. Check below for submission deadlines, and stay tuned for workshop sign-ups, along with the full festival lineup once selections have been released. We can’t wait to see you at KINO 2026! SUBMISSION RULES - READ ALL BEFORE SUBMITTING We only accept work created in or by filmmakers from Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Washington or Alaska. Films of ten minutes or less in any genre are accepted: narrative, documentary, animation, music videos, and experimental. Each spring in Moscow, Idaho, we host filmmakers and fans at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre. Credits may be up to one minute beyond the 10-minute run time limit. The festival is supported by the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, the University of Idaho, its Film & Television program, and the School of Journalism and Mass Media. The 2026 festival will be a two-day event held on April 24th and 25th. Stay tuned for a full schedule.

Last updated Sep 26, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

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Festival Details

FilmFreeway communityGold festival

• Filmmaker

  An absolutely fantastic and gracious venue in a great town. A dinner for filmmakers and guests was a great starter for the evening. The theater for the festival was sold out! Some 200 plus film fans. I totally was impressed by the University of Idaho staff and volunteers that worked hard to produce a memorable evening.

• Filmmaker

  Had such a great time!! If you're a filmmaker in the PNW and you're not submitting to this, you're making a mistake!!

• Filmmaker

  This is a great festival that I'd attend yearly even without a submission. It's part U of I student films, part Pacific Northwest filmmakers, and the mix is delightful for anyone who appreciates the raucous energy of young filmmakers!

• Filmmaker

  I had the privilege of showing my first short film, “Out of the Limelight” and got to watch my hard work with my other friends get their recognition that they deserve. Definitely a festival I’ll keep close to my heart!

• Filmmaker

  Thank you for showing our film “Sky Priestess” at KINO! The quality of films shown were top notch and we were honored to be included! We appreciated the accommodations provided by The Monarch Motel!

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