Monza Film Fest is an international festival dedicated to discovering and celebrating the next generation of genre filmmakers. We welcome visionary storytellers from every corner of the world, creating a platform where creativity, originality, and passion matter more than budgets or big productions.
We believe that every great film starts with a great idea.
Whether your project was made with a professional crew or a handful of friends, we’re looking for films that surprise us, move us, and stay with us long after the credits roll.
A FESTIVAL THAT GIVES EVERY FILM A REAL OPPORTUNITY
Unlike festivals that announce all results at once, Monza Film Fest holds private jury screenings every two months, ensuring every submission receives dedicated attention.
Award winners from each judging session are announced during the first week of the following month on our website and social media channels.
The best winning films will be invited to the Official Final Event on October 2, 2026, hosted at the prestigious Capitol Anteo SpazioCinema Monza, where selected films will be screened before an audience of filmmakers and cinema lovers.
WE LOVE INDEPENDENT CINEMA
We know that independent filmmaking is built on determination, imagination, and countless hours of hard work.
That’s why our jury evaluates each film primarily for its:
- Originality
- Storytelling
- Directing
- Artistic vision
- Emotional impact
Production budget is never the deciding factor.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Only short films with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes are eligible.
All genres are welcome.
🌍 FREE SUBMISSION COUNTRY
Every edition, Monza Film Fest selects one featured country whose filmmakers can submit their films free of charge.
Please note that films must genuinely originate from the selected country to qualify for the free submission opportunity.
📚 BONUS: More Visibility for Every Submission
Every film submitted to Monza Film Fest is automatically listed to ShortMovieDatabase.com, an international platform dedicated to independent cinema.
No additional forms.
No additional fees.
Just another opportunity for your work to be discovered by filmmakers, industry professionals, programmers, and film lovers around the world.
OUR FESTIVAL NETWORK
Monza Film Fest is proud to be part of a growing community of festivals committed to promoting independent cinema. Our partner festivals include:
- Assurdo Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/Assurdo - Reale Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/RealeFilmFestival - Milano Indie Movie Awards
https://filmfreeway.com/MilanoIndie - Night of Shorts
https://filmfreeway.com/Nightofshorts
We don’t just collect submissions.
We discover filmmakers.
If you have a story that deserves to be seen, we can’t wait to watch it.
Awards & Prizes
Bimonthly awards
(with digital laurel reception, in pdf / jpg file)
MAIN CATEGORIES
Best Film
Best International Film
Best European Film
Best Asian Film
Best American Film
Best Italian Film
Best Lombard film
Best Micro Short (under 5 min)
Best Super Short (15 minutes)
Best Medium Lenght (under 30 min)
Best Low Budget Film
Best Original Idea
Best AI Film
Best Animation
Best Documentary
GENRE FILM AWARDS
Best Comedy
Best Horror
Best Crime
BestThriller
Best Sci-fi
Best Fantasy
Best Action
Best Musical
Best Romance
Best LGBTQ+
Best Pulp
Best Noir
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Best Director
Best Young Director
Best Soundtrack
Best Editing
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Vfx
Best Actor/Actress
Best Producer
Best Makeup, Hairstyling or Costumes
Best Title
Best Movie Poster
HONORABLE MENTION
Other prizes will be also decided by the jury.
RULES AND TERMS:
– All types of videos less than 30 minutes are accepted.
– The jury may decide to change the entry category of any film if it deems it appropriate.
– Multiple registrations are accepted
– There is no limit to the year of screening, any year is accepted
– Each film must have subtitles in English or Italian. The finalist films must send the srt file of the subtitles in English or Italian.
– Any genre is accepted
– The jury may decide to change the entry category of any film if it deems it appropriate.
– By registering, you declare that you have the rights to the registered film
– The festival may use for promotional purposes the data of authors, producers and crew, the movie poster, the trailer and a maximum of 1 minute of the video
– Films that incite violence or hatred in general are not accepted
– By registering the film at our festival you agree to share personal data with partner festivals, but only for promotional purposes.
– Distributors can ask for a special price for the registration of 20 or more films. To do this, just send us an email to festival@monzafilmfest.com
– The data from each film can be used in publications of cultural interest
ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
The admission to the Festival implies the unconditional acceptance of this regulation.
For any dispute not covered by the Regulation the competent authority is the organization of the Monza Film Fest, if such disputes do not find the solution, the competent authority is Foro of Monza.
In case of objections to this Regulation Italian version of the same prevails.
PRIVACY
Subscribers to the Monza Film Fest agree as established by Legislative Decree 30 June 2003, No. 196 on the protection of privacy, the use of personal data for all initiatives related to the event. The Author of the film declares to accept the Regulation in all its parts and to have the legal availability of the film and to authorize the public screening without compensation, freeing the organization of the Festival from any present and future responsibility. With the contest entry each author is responsible for the content of his work. The author claims to own all rights to the work, not prejudicing in any way the rights of third parties, like other authors, subjects portrayed, transferees of rights, together with those music, etc. . It also declares that the audiovisual material is not protected by SIAE. Under the provisions of Legislative Decree. 30/06/2003 n. 196, we inform the author that the data requested is necessary for completing the documentation of registration to the Festival.
