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LA SHORTS
Branded Content Awards

The Intersection of Cinema and Commerce

Established 1996 | Academy Award® Qualifying Festival

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For three decades, LA Shorts has been the global launchpad for the world’s most talented filmmakers. To mark our 30th Anniversary, we are formally opening our doors to the advertising and corporate world with the LA Shorts Branded Content Awards.

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This is not a competition for commercials. This is a competition for storytelling. We are seeking the narrative-driven films, documentaries, and creative experiments where the brand is the catalyst, but the cinematic experience is the priority.

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Why LA Shorts?

Winning an LA Shorts Award provides a level of creative validation that traditional advertising shows cannot offer.

  • Cinematic Heritage: Your work is judged by an international jury of film industry veterans, not just ad peers.

  • Global Prestige: Align your agency with one of the longest-running and most respected short film festivals in the world.

  • Elite Talent Access: Connect with our network of over 3,000 award-winning directors and producers—the next generation of commercial filmmaking talent.

 

Submission Tracks & Investment

We provide a streamlined, "white-glove" submission process for agencies and production houses to ensure your content is handled with professional care.

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  • Single Entry: $400

  • Agency Bulk Rate (3+ Entries): $350 per entry

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All submissions for this category are managed via a private gateway on FilmFreeway. Please use the unique access code provided in your invitation to unlock the Branded Content category.

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(Requires Private Access Code)

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Direct Invoicing & Concierge Service

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For agencies submitting multiple campaigns across different creative teams, we offer a Direct Invoice option. This allows your accounting department to pay via a single corporate invoice (Stripe/Bank Transfer), bypassing individual platform fees and simplifying the entry process.

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[Button: REQUEST BULK INVOICE]

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The 30th Anniversary Gala & Awards Dinner

August 2026 | Los Angeles

Winners of the Branded Content Awards will be honored during our milestone anniversary celebration. This exclusive event brings together the most influential names in independent cinema and the pioneers of branded storytelling.

  • Premium Agency Tables: Limited tables are available for agencies wishing to host creative teams and clients.

  • Networking: The gala serves as the primary bridge between the LA Shorts filmmaking community and the brands that fund the future of content.

Details regarding table reservations and the gala venue will be sent directly to all entrants in July.

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Guidelines

  • Format: Films under 40 minutes.

  • Categories: Narrative, Documentary, Animation, or Experimental Branded Content.

  • Premiere Status: While we strongly prefer Los Angeles Premieres to ensure maximum impact for your work, it is not a mandatory requirement for the Awards-only track.

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Branded Content & Commercial Shorts

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Your work is more than a commercial—it's a short film. Get it judged by an Oscar-qualifying festival jury.

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In honor of our 30th anniversary, we are launching an exclusive Branded Content track for select agencies. Private invite link to submit

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Celebrating the intersection of cinematic artistry and brand storytelling. As LA Shorts enters its 30th year, we are proud to introduce the Branded Content Awards—a premier competition category dedicated to agencies, production houses, and brands that prioritize narrative excellence over traditional advertising.

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In an era where the "30-second spot" is evolving into short-form cinema, LA Shorts provides the ultimate platform for high-caliber, story-driven content to be evaluated by an international jury of industry veterans.

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We are seeking work where the brand is the catalyst, but the story is the hero. This category is open to:

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  • Narrative Branded Shorts: Scripted films created in partnership with a brand.

  • Documentary Shorts: Real-world stories or "human interest" pieces funded by a brand.

  • Creative Film Craft: Exceptional achievement in cinematography, editing, or direction within a commercial context.​

Recognition & Impact

Selected works will be officially recognized as LA Shorts Award Winners/Finalists, granting your creative team the prestige of an institution that has championed short-form cinema for three decades.

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  • The A-List Jury: Evaluated by the International Jury.

  • Digital Showcase: Winners will be featured across our global digital platforms and anniversary press releases.

  • Network Access: Submitters receive exclusive invitations to our Industry & Brand Mixer during the festival (August 6–12, 2026), connecting agency creatives with our network of world-class directors and producers.

Fee Structure

  • Single Entry: $350

  • Bulk Entries: Agencies submitting three or more pieces are eligible for a streamlined direct-invoicing process and discounted volume pricing. Please contact the festival office directly to coordinate.

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Why Us

LA Shorts is an Academy Award® qualifying festival.

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The A-List Jury: Even if you haven't finalized the names, list the types of people (e.g., "Executive Creative Directors from Top-Tier Agencies and Award-Winning Narrative Filmmakers").

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The "Bulk Entry" Button: Instead of just a link to FilmFreeway, have a big button that says "Request Agency Bulk Invoice."

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REQUIREMENTS

  • Films created for or in partnership with a brand that prioritize narrative storytelling

  • Films must have been completed after January 1, 2025.

  • Non-English films must have English subtitles.

  • You may submit more than one film, but you must enter each film separately. 

 

DEADLINES

  • Early Deadline: February 27, 2026

  • Regular Deadline: April 3, 2026

  • Extended Deadline: May 1, 2026

  • Late Deadline: May 29, 2026

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NOTIFICATION

  • Notification Date: June 23, 2026

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FEES

Shorts 40 minutes or under, for each entry:

  • Early Deadline: $ 300

  • Regular Deadline: $350

  • Extended Deadline: $400

  • Late Deadline: $450​

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  • Entry fees are non-refundable.

  • Films are not viewed without completed entry form and payment.

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SHORTLIST

Announce in early August

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SELECTION

  • Film selection for the festival will be made by the screening committee.

  • Filmmakers will be notified via email of acceptance.

  • We factor in previous screenings in the Los Angeles area when determining a film selection.

  • No film may be withdrawn from the festival lineup after selection.

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BRANDED CONTENT SHOWCASE 

A dedicated 90-minute screening block at festival

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If you are submitting multiple pieces, we can provide a 'Bulk Waiver Code' for and invoice your accounting department directly via Stripe or PayPal.

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AWARDS

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ACADEMY AWARD OSCAR® QUALIFYING
BAFTA Qualifying
Canadian Screen Awards Qualifying
Goya Awards Qualifying

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  •  Best of Fest

  •  Best International

  •  Best Drama

  •  Best Comedy

  •  Best Animation

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The LA Shorts Branded Content Awards, judged by The A-List Hollywood Jury.

Private/Invite-Only
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