30 Apr, 2025

CinemaSHORT Asian Short Film Competition 2025

Got a story to tell?

After a successful debut in 2023, we’re bringing back the CinemaSHORT Asian Short Film Competition for its second edition—and we couldn’t be more excited.

Organized by CinemaWorld, the first and only pan-Asian international movie service, this year’s competition returns with fresh award categories, a new jury panel, and stronger-than-ever support from our regional streaming partners.

At its heart, CinemaSHORT has always been about amplifying Asian voices and fostering the film community in the region.

In 2025, we’re diving deeper into what makes everyday life so powerful.

This year’s theme — Untold Stories: A Glimpse into the Everyday — invites filmmakers to explore the richness of daily life in all its forms.

Whether your story is playful, profound, reflective, or experimental, we’re looking for original perspectives that make the ordinary unforgettable.

Competition Timeline

1 May – 31 July 2025:

Submissions open

 

18 – 31 August 2025:

Audience Choice Award voting

 

11 September 2025:

Winners announced

 

10 October 2025:

Gala Night & Awards Ceremony in Singapore

New Categories, Exciting Awards

As always, our goal is to create a platform that is not just about competition but also about honoring and celebrating the diverse film community.

That’s why, in addition to the Best Narrative Short Film award, we’re introducing a Best Animated Short Film award to recognize the incredible animators across the region.

In celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, we’re proud to present the Singapore Spotlight Award—an SG60 special edition honoring outstanding Singaporean filmmakers.

This award is proudly presented and sponsored by Mediacorp, our Official Partner for the 2025 edition.

Their streaming platform, Mewatch, also returns as our Official Regional Streamer during the Audience Choice Award voting.

You Get a Vote!
You Get a Vote!
Everybody Gets a Vote!

What’s a film without an audience?

During the 2-week voting period for the Audience Choice Award, we’re working with Mewatch by Mediacorp and teaming up with new partners across Taiwan and Indonesia.

Now, Asian audiences can stream and vote for their favorite films directly through local platforms.

We’re excited to see what stories resonate most with viewers across borders.

Our official partners this year include:

  • Mewatch (Singapore)
  • MyVideo (Taiwan)
  • Cubmu by Transvision (Indonesia)

Our Judges

Of course, no competition is complete without an incredible jury. This year, we’re proud to have an eclectic mix of creatives from across the region and beyond—each bringing years of experience and a unique storytelling lens:

  • Josune Hahnheiser – German producer and Head of Development, Black Forest Films (Singapore)
  • Mayu Nakamura – Emmy-nominated writer, director, and documentarian (Japan)
  • Phạm Gia Quý – Vietnamese director, producer, and founder of Spring Auteurs, a leading film company in Vietnam
  • Mark Peregrino – Head of Creative at Nickelodeon Asia & film content creator, @mickpilgrim (Philippines/Singapore)
  • Leslie Lee – Media educator and entertainment industry veteran (Singapore)

They’ll be looking out for fresh ideas, powerful stories, and technical mastery—everything we’ve come to love from the best films.

So, join us in the second CinemaSHORT Asian Short Film Competition, where we celebrate the vibrant world of Asian stories and creativity!

If you’ve got a short film or a story in the making, we’d love to hear from you.

Follow us at cinemashort.asia

Submission is open!