International Short Film Festival Cologne is a competitive event open to short films (max. 30 minutes). Every year, the festival commission evaluates more than 2000 entries and selects more than 50 films to compete in the official international competition. Films of all genres can compete, ranging from short fiction and documentaries to animations and experimental films. Films that do not participate in the competition can be screened as part of the special out-of-competition programme.

Showcomotion screens approximately 170 films made for or by young people. There are three sections: 1/ Panorama Programme: Films made for young people and films made by young people from around the world are accepted. Animations, live action, documentaries, features and shorts are accepted. 2/ The UNICEF UK Awards: a competition for short films on the theme of children’s and young people’s rights. There are three awards: The UNICEF UK Youth Award is for film makers up to 19 years old. The UNICEF UK Award is for professional film makers, semi-professional film makers and students aged 19 years plus. The Audience Award for the best overall film in both categories. Animations, live action, documentaries on the theme of young people’s rights are accepted. The duration is to be no more than 30 minutes. 3/ The Steel City Globe Awards: for short films on any subject. This competition is open to schools in the Sheffield city region only.

The Sichuan TV Festival (SCTVF), established in 1991, is dedicated to discovering new topics, creating new content, introducing new formats, and offering new services. It has become one of the most reputable TV festivals and the most effective platforms to access the most updated TV and film marketing information in China and Asia.

The Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

The Festival Silhouette is organized by L'Association Silhouette (a non-profit organization) whose responsibilities include, among others, the selection of films shown and competing during the festival. The Festival is open to all directors and producers of short films whatever their country of origin. The Festival takes place in Parc des Buttes Chaumont and at the 104, a cultural place in Paris. Free admission.

Silverdocs was created through a unique alliance between AFI and the Discovery Channel to showcase, honor and expand the audience for independent documentaries. In only its second year, Silverdocs has become one of the largest and most prestigious international film festivals in the Washington area, attracting filmmakers and films from all over the world. The festival screens about 80 films representing 34 countries, which are selected from a competitive field of more than 1,200 entries. The International Documentary Conference - Silverdocs is also the best place to experience the convergence of media outlets, nonprofit groups and world political organizations than Washington, DC. Access to industry leaders helps make this a must-attend event for both documentary filmmakers and industry executives. In its first year, the Conference drew 450 filmmakers, producers, programmers and other industry experts.

The Sitges International Film Festival was established in 1968 and ranks among the leading fantasy film festivals in the world. The submitted films are divided into the following sections: 1 Oficial Fantastic - films of various genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror and thriller. 2 Oficial Noves Visions - innovative and transgressive film projects. 3 Orient Express–Casa Asia - new Asian cinema. 4 Anima’t - new animated films, series and shorts. 5 Midnight X-Treme - independent horror cinema. 6 Mondo Macabro - horror films from remote countries (e.g. China, Turkey, India, Vietnam). The programme also includes sections for the latest Catalan films, films selected by critics, retrospectives, kitsch and underground films, films by Catalan film students.

The festival was established in 1999. Its purpose is to show fiction films and documentaries made by the Sámi. Every year, the film festival also presents films made by one other indigenous people of the world.

Skeive Filmer - Oslo Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (OGLFF) - is an annual international film festival that focuses on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual themes. The festival began as Homofilmklubben (The Gay Film Club) in 1990, and is today one of the largest and most popular arrangements held during the annual Skeive Dager (Gay Pride) in Oslo. The purpose of OGLFF is to show feature, documentary and short films from around the world that treat homosexuality in one way or another. OGLFF also arranges special screenings of feature films or documentaries in cooperation with various institutions and special interest organizations, including the Norwegian Film Institute, Norwegian Gay Health Committee, Amnesty International, Norwegian Association for Trans-gendered and Queer World.

The programme of SKENA UP Festival includes variety of student work in film and theater. The mission of the festival is to bring the film and theatre students work in front of the public and make it possible for them to join the network of producers, directors, writers, and actors from local and international stage. SKENA UP Festival is a competitive event.

The purpose of the festival is to present a non-competitive, invited season of new films in a wide variety of styles and genres. To demonstrate the development of the art and contribute to a knowledge of new styles and trends in film-making. To encourage the screening of films which might not otherwise be brought to Macedonia. To encourage and promote widespread discussion of these films. To support the distribution of independent films in Macedonia. The Festival will only show films which have not previously been exhibited publicly in Macedonia.

Slamdance is the number one alternative to the Sundance Film Festival. Located at the same time and place, Slamdance focuses on unknown and first time filmmakers.

The Sleepwalkers’ Student Film Festival (SW) was founded in 2000 and takes place every year in Tallinn. The aim of the festival is to make short films by international film students available to young audiences, and to promote international co-operation. SW is looking for new talents, young directors, and for original filmmmakers. The Festival consists of a competition programme, a special programme and a film school. International competition will include ca 60 films. Eligible are short (45 min) fiction, animation and documentary films. International jury will judge the films in international competition and present the following awards: Grand Prix, Best fiction film, Best animation film, and Best documentary.

The Slovenian Film Festival is an annual review of national film and television production. During every festival, a conference on a certain topical issue pertaining to film, such as film production, funding, acting and scriptwriting, or international links and foundations, is organised.

Film Summer University is the second oldest annual film programme in Hungary, next to the Hungarian Film Week in Budapest. Summer University was first organized in July 1973. Based on the thirty-four year tradition of the Summer University, in 2007 the organizers introduced the Slow Film Festival, a new international film festival. International filmmakers can enter their films in four competition categories - fiction or documentary film (under / over 30 minutes). Each edition of the festival is centered around a specific theme.

The Sofia International Film Festival (Sofia IFF) is aimed to promote significant and innovative works in the contemporary world cinema for local audience and regional (Bulgarian and Balkan) cinema to international audience, as well as to encourage the cooperation between local and international filmmakers.

Mediterranean and Islamic International Documentary Festival. It takes place in Palermo and presents the world's best documentary films dealing with the Mediterranean region, Islam, nature, adventures, and travels to the Middle East and to the East. The festival awards films in three sections: 1/ Islam - for films dealing with Islam / socio-cultural or ethnographic surveys of Islamic countries. 2/ Mediterranean - for films dealing with the fauna, flora and ecosystems of the Mediterranean coast. 3/ Art - for films about cinema, theatre, fine art, architecture etc. in the Mediterranean countries and the Islamic world.

The Solothurn Film Festival first took place in 1966. The festival has always been an integral part of the history of Swiss film and socio-political issues. While the program focuses on 'Works' with current films and videos from all four linguistic regions, there are also 'Special Programs' which deal with works from film schools and from abroad, television and co-productions, as well as a retrospective of a particular individual in film industry. In addition, various 'Events', which are associated with institutes and professional organisations, provide the opportunity for discussions concerning the politics of and pending issues in the world of film. Over the course of the years, the Solothurn Film Festival has established itself as the most important meeting place for Swiss filmmakers, the media and the public.

The Sopot Film Festival presents wide range of short film, video & new media. The festival is looking for new visions, forms and techniques in independent cinema - new way of communication - connection beetween digital media and analouge society - ordinary subjects and ideas related in a new way and in new light, using new forms and techinques.

The SXSW Film Conference and Festival is a uniquely creative environment featuring the dynamic convergence of talent, smart audiences and industry heavyweights. A hotbed of discovery and interactivity, the event offers lucrative networking opportunities and immersion into the art and business of the rapidly evolving world of independent film. Over the first five days, the Film Conference buzzes as world-class speakers, creative minds, and notable mentors tackle the latest filmmaking trends amidst the unmatched social atmosphere of the SXSW experience. Simultaneously, the internationally acclaimed, nine-day Festival celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent, with a truly diverse program ranging from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies.

South East European Film Festival educates about and promotes cultural diversity of South East Europe through its annual presentations of films from this region and year-round screenings and programs. SEE FEST organizes conferences and retrospectives, serves as the cultural hub and resource for scholars and filmmakers, and creates opportunities for cultural exchange between Southern California and South East Europe.

The festival is open to all new, innovative, personal, experimental, radical, subversive, etc. Works (films, video, new media) of all genres and lengths, preferably from outside the mainstream, whether it was made on a shoestring budget, or is a studio release.

SPORTFILM LIBEREC is a competitive festival of documentary films and sports programmes with an international participation. Its aim is to award the best shots in particular categories and the best shot of the Festival as well. The Festival is intended to help the development of a sports film, documentary film and report.

St.George Bank BIFF is the premier film event in Queensland. Each year it draws film enthusiasts to view an entertaining mix of local and international films, retrospectives and colourful events. Since the first festival in 1992, more than 375,000 film-goers have immersed themselves in the BIFF experience. St.George Bank BIFF has become a well-renowned Australian festival.

The purpose of the Stockholm International Film Festival is to broaden the forum for innovative quality films in Scandinavia beyond what is currently available through commercial outlets and traditional film institutions. The festival has the following sections: 1 Competition - for directors who have made their first, second or third film; 2 Spotlight - films from a specific geographic area or films representing a specific theme or genre; 3 Open Zone - current feature films; 4 American Independents - new American independent features; 5 Twilight Zone - cinematic subcultures; 6 Collage - documentary films and TV productions; 7 Tribute; 8 Northern Lights - films from the Nordic or Baltic region; 9 Asian Images - new Asian features; 10 Short Film Competition; 11 ifestival - short films screened on the internet.