Sundance Film Festival
Park City, United States
100
Tier AOscarScreenings
Festival dossier
UCLA Shorttakes
United States · Est. 1994 · Established legitimate festival with meaningful track record
Tier BTrusted
United States
63
Legitimacy ScoreShould I submit?
Solid signals — do normal diligence
Tier B looks established enough for many filmmakers. Check fees, programming fit, and recent editions before submitting.
- No physical screenings
- 32 years of verifiable history
- 2 verified pro signals
Overview
Shorttakes is a prestigious student film festival that welcomes submissions from both graduate and undergraduate students attending colleges across the United States and around the world. This annual event celebrates emerging filmmakers by providing a platform to showcase their creative talents on the big screen. A diverse panel of esteemed judges from the entertainment industry carefully selects the best films in each category. The festival culminates in an exciting red carpet finale, where multiple prizes and awards are presented to recognize outstanding achievements in filmmaking. This highly anticipated event not only highlights the next generation of storytellers but also fosters a vibrant community of aspiring filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts. Shorttakes 2026 will be hosted at the renowned James Bridges Theater at UCLA, offering a cinematic experience that celebrates innovation, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
Legitimacy Analysis
Positive Indicators (+28 pts)
- 32 years of verifiable history
- 2 verified pro signals
- Verified trusted status
- Legitimacy signals outweigh concerns (3 vs 1)
Red Flags (-15 pts)
- No physical screenings
Trust Signals
Positive Signals
- Documented history with archived programs
- Has FilmFreeway community ratings
Festival Details
Founded
1994
FilmFreeway community
Avg. rating
3.8/ 5
Reviews
1
Synced 4 days ago
- Filmmaker
Extremely honored to be a part of this festival and win the award for best editing. Some of the best student films I've seen were showcased here and the host did an excellent job.
- Filmmaker
Review Festival Review
FilmFreeway reviews are filmmaker opinions, not our score. Cross-check red flags before paying fees.
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At a glance
How scoring works
Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.
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