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Aspen, CO (August 22, 2016) – Aspen Film announced today that the 26th annual Aspen Shortsfest is accepting submissions. Shortsfest accepts submissions of live action, documentary and animation from the United States and around the world. Films screened will be part of the Festival’s International Competition, which will take place April 4-9, 2017 in Aspen, Colorado.

Aspen Shortsfest is an Oscar®-qualifying film festival recognized as one of the premier short film festivals in North America. Each April enthusiastic audiences, filmmakers and special guests from around the globe gather to participate in public screenings, panels, workshops, and other festivities that spotlight the art and craft of short moviemaking. Following in the tradition of Shortsfest official selections going on to Oscar® success, Bear Story (Chile) won the Oscar® for Best Animated Short Film in 2016, and We Can’t Live Without Cosmos (Russian Federation) and Shok (Republic of Kosovo/UK) were nominated.

The festival will begin accepting entries on August 22, 2016.  Early bird entry deadline is October 31, 2016 with a regular entry deadline of November 30, 2016. Kathleen McInnis will serve as the Director of Programming for the 26^th annual Aspen Shortsfest.  Complete International Competition entry guidelines are available on the Aspen Film website, aspenfilm.org.

For more information and to join Aspen Film, please visit www.aspenfilm.org. For updates, like Aspen Film on Facebook, follow @AspenFilm on Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation by using #Shortsfest17.

ABOUT ASPEN FILM

Established in 1979, Aspen Film is one of Colorado’s most active film arts organizations, presenting dynamic programs and featured guest artists throughout the year. Internationally recognized, Aspen Film organizes a major film event in every season, along with an extensive education program: Aspen Filmfest, Academy Screenings, Aspen Shortsfest and Film Educates. With a mission to enlighten, enrich, educate and entertain through film, Aspen Film stimulates thought, encourages dialogue and broadens understanding of our world and selves through the diverse spectrum of ideas presented by filmmakers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.aspenfilm.org and socially on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.