Aspen Shortsfest Returns for 35th Year

Oscar-qualifying festival showcases 61 films from 25 countries

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:22am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring sharp, angular black shapes against a vibrant, high-contrast background, conceptually representing the diverse range of short films showcased at the Aspen Shortsfest.The 35th annual Aspen Shortsfest celebrates the art of short filmmaking with a diverse lineup of global talent.Aspen Today

The 35th annual Aspen Shortsfest, a prestigious short film festival that is one of just five in the country with Oscar-qualifying awards, is set to begin today. The festival has narrowed down over 3,200 submissions to showcase 61 short films from 25 countries, with many past festival films going on to be nominated or win Academy Awards.

Why it matters

Aspen Shortsfest is a highly respected event in the film industry, providing a platform for new and emerging talent. The festival's Oscar-qualifying status means that winners have a chance to be recognized at the highest level, further elevating the careers of the filmmakers.

The details

The festival will run from April 8 to April 11, featuring a diverse selection of short films from around the world. According to Jason Anderson, the director of programming for Aspen Shortsfest, the festival has a 'unique and kind of magical' reputation among filmmakers due to the exceptional experiences it offers.

  • The 35th annual Aspen Shortsfest starts today, April 8, 2026.
  • The festival runs until April 11, 2026.

The players

Aspen Shortsfest

An annual short film festival held in Aspen, Colorado that is one of just five in the United States with Oscar-qualifying awards.

Jason Anderson

The director of programming for Aspen Shortsfest, who described the festival as a 'very unique and kind of magical place' for filmmakers.

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What they’re saying

“It's become a very, very unique and kind of magical place to be. And it's very much a place that has this incredible reputation amongst filmmakers because they have very unique experiences here. And we were thrilled to kind of have, you know, shine a light on new talent, essentially.”

— Jason Anderson, Director of Programming, Aspen Shortsfest

The takeaway

Aspen Shortsfest continues to be a premier destination for short film enthusiasts and filmmakers, providing a platform for new talent and a chance for winners to gain recognition at the highest levels of the industry.