25 YEARS STRONG.
Celebrating 25 years of championing independent short films, the KINO Short Film Festival is back—bigger and bolder than ever! As we mark this milestone, we are thrilled to unveil exciting programmatic expansions that will elevate our festival experience and further solidify our reputation as the premier venue for student and aspiring filmmakers in the Pacific Northwest.
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 spectrum in skill level - professional, hobbyist, and student. We want to support the art of filmmaking in the PNW, bringing the community together for an evening of films and discussion.
A Two-Day Celebration of Filmmaking For the first time in KINO history, we are expanding 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.
Friday, April 25, will remain our shorts showcase day, but with a newly added screening earlier in the day at another local gem of a venue - creating a fun and engaging filmwatching space to showcase emerging filmmakers, hosting Q+A sessions with the audience after the screenings. Friday night remains our main short film event, with the top short films screening at a packed house at the Kenworthy Theatre.
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 from filmmakers in the Pacific Northwest, including aspiring filmmakers from the University of Idaho and many other film programs from Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Oregon, and Montana.
New Workshops Led by Industry Experts We are committed to not only showcasing talent but also fostering it. This year, we are introducing a series of professional-led workshops covering key aspects of the filmmaking process. These interactive sessions will provide invaluable insights, hands-on learning opportunities, and meaningful mentorship from established professionals in the industry.
On Saturday April 26, we are adding four workshops with local experts to help grow your skills and develop connections. The workshops are still being coordinated, but we expect four great learning opportunities for our pass holders and filmmakers.
Expanding to add Saturday Screenings New this year, we are adding a couple more screenings for your viewing pleasure - we are working with a local documentary filmmaker to screen their latest work featuring research from University of Idaho faculty. We are also adding a feature screening with a special guest here to talk about their career and the filmmaking industry. Both events offer an inside look into what it takes to create something compelling for an audience, with Q+A sessions at both.
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 25th 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. We can’t wait to see you at KINO 2025!
AWARDS & PRIZES
The audience votes for their favorite film, and the winners receive recognition as the Audience Choice Award Winners.
A team of jurors working in the industry watches and rates the submissions. Through a tiered review approach, they settle on the top films and make the final determination about which films will be selected for screening. The jurors may also recognize some of the submitted films with an award, though not all awards are given in all years.
Here are the categories:
Best Film
Runner Up - Best Film
Best Student Film
Runner Up - Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Actor
Best Cinematography
Best Sound
Best Editing
Rules & Terms
All films must be produced within the past two years.
All films must be ten minutes or less in length.
Only filmmakers with ties to the Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Alaska and Washington), including alumni of the University of Idaho, may submit work.
All entrants submitting acknowledge they hold the copyright to their work and have clearances and permissions for any intellectual property included in their film (music, etc.).
Upon acceptance into the festival the filmmaker must make a downloadable copy of their film available for the Kino Short Film Festival on Film Freeway.
IMPORTANT DATES
September 01, 2024 Opening Date
December 31, 2024 Earlybird Deadline
January 31, 2025 Regular Deadline
March 04, 2025 Extended Deadline
March 24, 2025 Notification Date
April 25+26, 2025 Event Date
