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From Nia DaCosta to Matthew A. Cherry, Don Hertzfeldt to Georgia Oakley, countless award-winning filmmakers kickstarted their careers on Kickstarter — literally.
Now it’s your turn.
Long Story Short, Kickstarter’s annual spotlight on visionary short films, returns March 1–31, 2026, championing narrative, animation, and documentary creators at every career stage.
Leading up to March, Kickstarter will release filmmaker resources, campaign tools, and guidance designed to help you prep, refine, and launch a compelling short film campaign. In March, participating shorts receive promotion across Kickstarter newsletters, social channels, and more.
Whether you’re emerging or established, this is a prime opportunity to fund your next short with community support and visibility.
How to Participate
Have an idea for a short film? Here’s how to join Long Story Short 2026:
- Apply to participate via the quick submission form.
- Create your short film project on Kickstarter and select “Shorts” as the subcategory.
- Launch your campaign anytime between March 1–31, 2026.
- Register for Kickstarter’s webinar and read the official film campaign guide for best practices.
Kickstarter encourages all genres, all budgets, and all creative voices to take part. If you’re planning a short in 2026, now is the moment to build your launch strategy.
Why It Matters
Short films have long been a proving ground for the filmmakers shaping the future of cinema. Kickstarter’s platform offers:
Visibility — Your project will be highlighted during a month-long celebration seen by millions.
Community Support — Build an audience that invests in your career.
Educational Resources — Campaign guides, webinars, and tools to help you craft a successful launch.
Momentum — A strong short can lead to features, reps, festivals, and long-term collaborators.
Bold stories deserve a bold launch. If you’re ready to take your short from idea to screen, this is your chance.
