Submit your film

Untold Stories:
A Glimpse into the everyday

The most powerful stories aren’t always loud—they’re the quiet struggles, fleeting joys, and lives unseen. Untold Stories: A Glimpse into the Everyday invites you to capture these hidden moments and turn the ordinary into something unforgettable.

Competition Details

SUBMISSION TIMELINE

1 May - 31 August 2025, 2359, SGT

THEME

Untold Stories:
A Glimpse into the Everyday

CATEGORIES & PRIZES

CategoryPrize
Best Narrative Short FilmCash worth USD 3,000
Best Animated Short FilmCash worth USD 3,000
Audience Choice AwardCash worth USD 3,000
Jury Award (Max. 3)Cash worth USD 500 each
Singapore Spotlight Award (Mediacorp)SGIFF Industry Passes worth USD 500

Winners will also be featured on all Cinemaworld's services.

Our Judges

Terms & Conditions

SUBMISSION T&Cs

Click here to download Submissions T&Cs (EN | ID | 繁中 | VI)

Submissions are free of charge and are open to all independent Asian filmmakers (referring to directors), even if they are not physically based in their country of origin.

Each filmmaker can submit more than 1 film.

Only films that meet the following criteria are eligible to participate.

Submission Criteria:

  • Films that have not been released on any other distribution platforms.
  • Films that have competed in or been presented at local, regional, or international film festivals or competitions are eligible to participate.
  • Films that are produced during the period, January 2024 to July 2025.
  • Films refer to Animated short films (only 2D and 3D) and Live-action/Narrative short films.
  • Films that are not imitations or plagiarised versions of any copyrighted works. CinemaWorld will not be responsible for any copyright infringement committed by any participant.
  • Films that respect subject matters deemed sensitive by the general Asian TV audience.
  • Films that do not exceed the duration of 20 minutes, including credits.
  • Films that are submitted with time-coded English subtitles in these file formats: .srt, .txt, .doc or . stl.
  • Files that comply with video and audio specs. See File Specifications.
  • Films that consent to the Winning Terms & Conditions. See Winning Terms & Conditions.

 

Films must be submitted by 31 July 2025, 5 PM SGT.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Click here to download Winning T&Cs (EN | ID | 繁中 | VI)

Winning films refer to Best Animation, Best Narrative, Audience Choice Award, and Jury Award Winners (if any and a maximum of 3 winners).

Filmmakers of the winning film shall consent to the following:

Winning Films T&Cs:

  • Winning films will be showcased on CinemaWorld and CinemaSHORT services.
  • Winning films will be rated according to the Singapore Classification Ratings. Edits may be applied where needed without tampering with the film’s integrity.
  • Grant CinemaWorld (Asia) Pte Ltd the following rights:
    1. Right to create subtitles in required languages. 
    2. The exclusive right to play the winning film via any distribution modes to all screens (excluding cinema screens) in all territories/countries for a 3-year period.

 Filmmakers reserve the right to submit the winning film to film festivals and competitions.

Click here to download File Specificatins (EN | ID | 繁中 | VI)

Participants will provide a link to their low-res screener with English subtitles according to the Initial Screener File Submission requirements in the initial phase.

In anticipation of being shortlisted, please prepare the film materials according to the Shortlisted File Submission details listed below.

Participants confirmed as shortlisted by the committee must submit their materials within one week of notification.

If the participant fails to submit the required materials within the given timeframe, their shortlisted spot will be forfeited.

Initial Screener File Submission:

  • Deliverable: Low-res with burnt-in subtitles
  • Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080)
  • Video Format / Bitrate: H.264 (.mp4) 10Mbps CBR (Constant Bit Rate)
  • Audio Format / Bitrate: AAC 192 kbps, Stereo
  • Frame Rate / Field order: Progressive 25 FPS
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Subtitle: Burnt-in English language
  • Screening mode: Google Drive / YouTube / Vimeo link

Shortlisted File Submission:

  • Deliverable: High-res without burnt-in subtitles
  • Resolution: HD (1920 x 1080) or 4K (3840 x 2160)
  • Video Format / Bitrate: ProRes 422 (.mov) HD – 50Mbps/CBR (Constant Bit Rate) or 4K – 37.6Mbps/Variable
  • Audio Format / Bitrate: PCM 24 bits, Stereo
  • Frame Rate / Field order: Progressive 25 FPS
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Subtitle: Time-coded English language subtitle file
  • Subtitle Formats: .pac/.cip/.srt/.stl or .txt.

If the subtitle is unavailable, please provide a scripts/spotting list in .doc/.rtf format

  • Film trailer with English burnt-in subtitles (if available)
  • High-res JPEGS of movie stills & poster artwork.

Artworks poster (in layered PSD file if available)

  • Press Kits/Pressbook in English (if available)
  • Synopsis, Director and Casts information in a Word document

Terms & Conditions

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FAQs

Submission

Submissions are open from 1 May to 31 July 2025, 5 PM SGT. Late submissions will not be accepted.

No, submission is free.

Films must be under 20 minutes.

The competition is open to both emerging and established Asian filmmakers. You do not need to be in your country of origin at the time of submission.

Yes, you can submit multiple films as long as they were produced in 2024 or later.

Films must be under 20 minutes.

Submission

Submissions are open from 1 May to 31 July 2025, 5 PM SGT. Late submissions will not be accepted.

No, submission is free.

Films must be under 20 minutes.

We accept live-action and 2D/3D animation, in line with our award categories.

Yes, English burnt-in subtitles are required. Please check our Submission Terms & Conditions and File Specifications for submission material guidelines.

No, only completed films are accepted. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Please ensure all required materials are provided.

All results will be announced on all our communication platforms. Follow CinemaSHORT’s Instagram or newsletter to stay updated.

*Only filmmakers of shortlisted or winning entries will be notified via the email provided during submission.*

No, all decisions made by the judges and preselection committee are final and cannot be appealed.

Eligibility

The competition is open to both emerging and established Asian filmmakers. You do not need to be in your country of origin at the time of submission.

Yes, you can submit multiple films as long as they were produced in 2024 or later.

Films previously screened at festivals, on YouTube, or in cinemas may be eligible. Please check our Terms & Conditions for details.

Yes, you must secure all necessary rights, including music, stock footage, and script rights.

The theme is Untold Stories: A Glimpse into the Everyday. We encourage filmmakers to get creative with their storytelling!

This year, we’re expanding our recognition of Asian filmmaking talent and introducing a Best Animated Short Film category, alongside the Best Narrative Short Film Award.

To celebrate outstanding Singaporean filmmakers in light of the nation’s diamond jubilee (SG60), we’re also introducing the Singapore Spotlight Award, sponsored by our Official Regional Streamer & Partner, mewatch by Mediacorp.

Yes, all submitted films must have been produced in Jan 2024 or later to be eligible.

If your film is shortlisted, our pre-selection committee will contact you via email to request a higher-resolution file. Please be prepared to provide it promptly to secure your spot.

Got a question?

Submission

Submissions are open from 1 May to 31 July 2025, 5 PM SGT. Late submissions will not be accepted.

No, submission is free.

Films must be under 20 minutes.

The competition is open to both emerging and established Asian filmmakers. You do not need to be in your country of origin at the time of submission.

Yes, you can submit multiple films as long as they were produced in 2024 or later.

Films must be under 20 minutes.