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Rules &
Guidelines

HANG ON TO THE DREAM SHORT FILM AWARDS

Rules & Guidelines

 

2027 Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards celebrates filmmakers, performers, and creative professionals who are pursuing their dreams through the art of short filmmaking.

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Our philosophy is simple:

"No matter how hard things seem, Hang On to the Dream!"
 

1. ELIGIBILITY

  1. The 2027 Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards is open to short films produced by independent filmmakers.  

  2. The Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards are open to filmmakers and creative professionals of all ages. There is no minimum or maximum age requirement to submit a film.

  3. Films may be submitted from anywhere in the world.

  4. For the purposes of the awards, a short film is defined as a completed film with a running time of 15 minutes or less, including credits.

  5. Films may be submitted in any of the eligible genres listed on the Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards Submission Form.

  6. Films may be produced professionally, independently, by students, emerging filmmakers, or established filmmakers.

  7. There is no requirement that a filmmaker have previous awards, professional credits, representation, or industry experience.

  8. Films produced outside the United States are eligible for the regular awards and may also be considered for the Best International Short Film — Special Merit Award.

 

2. SUBMISSIONS

  1. Sponsored by the Hang On to the Dream Foundation, there is no submission fee for the 2027 Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards.

  2. Each film must be submitted through the official Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards submission process.

  3. A filmmaker may submit more than one film and submit their film for awards consideration in more than one category, HOWEVER, Each film must be submitted separately on a separate submission form!  ONE FILM TITLE PER SUBMISSION FORM.

  4. By submitting a film, the submitter confirms that they have the authority to submit the film for consideration.

  5. The submitter is responsible for ensuring that all information provided with the submission is accurate.

  6. A submission does not guarantee Official Selection, nomination, or an award.

  7. Submission of a film constitutes permission for Hang On to the Dream to use the film's title, filmmaker names, still images, trailers, excerpts, and related promotional materials for legitimate awards-related publicity and promotion.

  8. The filmmaker retains ownership of their film and all underlying intellectual property.

 

3. OFFICIAL SELECTION

  1. Submitted films may be reviewed by the Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards judging panel.

  2. Films selected to advance in the competition may receive Official Selection status.

  3. Official Selection does not mean that a film is a nominee or award winner.

  4. Hang On to the Dream may use Official Selection laurels or other recognition materials to identify selected films.

 

4. NOMINATIONS

  1. Nominees are selected by the Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards judging panel.

  2. A film or individual may receive nominations in multiple categories.

  3. A filmmaker, actor, or creative professional may receive multiple nominations when their work independently qualifies in multiple categories.

  4. Being nominated is an earned distinction and is not guaranteed simply because a film has been submitted.

  5. There are no participation awards.

  6. Nominees are responsible for verifying that the names, titles, credits, and other information supplied to Hang On to the Dream are accurate.

 

5. AWARD CATEGORIES

The inaugural 2027 awards may include the following competitive categories:

PERFORMANCE

  • Best Actor

  • Best Actress

  • Best Supporting Actor

  • Best Supporting Actress

  • Best Ensemble Cast

STORY

  • Best Original Story

  • Best Original Screenplay

FILMMAKING

  • Best Director

  • Best Producer

VISUAL CRAFT

  • Best Cinematography

  • Best Editing

  • Best Makeup & Hair

  • Best Costume Design

  • Best Visual Effects

FILM

  • Best Short Film

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

  • Best International Short Film — Special Merit Award

AUDIENCE

  • Viewers Choice Award

Hang On to the Dream reserves the right to modify, combine, add, or eliminate categories when necessary for the integrity and successful operation of the awards.

 

6. BEST ORIGINAL STORY AND BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

These are separate awards.

Best Original Story recognizes the underlying story, concept, characters, narrative, and creative idea upon which the film is based.

Best Original Screenplay recognizes the written screenplay as executed for the screen, including structure, scenes, dialogue, and other elements of the screenplay.

The person credited with the original story may be different from the person credited with the screenplay.

Submitters should identify the appropriate Original Story By and Screenplay By credits when applicable.

 

7. BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM — SPECIAL MERIT AWARD

  1. The Best International Short Film award is a Special Merit Award and is separate from the primary Best Short Film competition.

  2. Filmmakers do not need to submit their international film separately for this recognition.

  3. Eligible international films submitted to the Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards may be considered by the judging panel for this special recognition.

  4. The judging panel may identify an outstanding international film based on the quality and merit of the work.

  5. An international film receiving this recognition remains eligible for all other applicable awards.

  6. An international film may or may not receive both Best International Short Film — Special Merit Award and Best Short Film of the Year.

  7. The Best Short Film of the Year remains the pinnacle film award of the Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards.

 

8. VIEWERS CHOICE AWARD

  1. Films may also be selected by the judging committee for the Viewers Choice Award, naming them eligible for viewing on  Hollywood TV, the streaming platform on Roku. Those filmmakers whose films are chosen for this awards opportunity will be notified in advance at which time the filmmaker can accept or deny that opportunity.

  2. Viewers will be able to vote during a designated voting period.

  3. Voting procedures, eligibility, voting limits, and deadlines will be announced by Hang On to the Dream.

  4. Attempts to manipulate, purchase, automate, or otherwise improperly influence voting may result in disqualification.

  5. Hang On to the Dream reserves the right to investigate suspicious voting activity and make the final determination regarding the validity of votes.

 

9. JUDGING

  1. Films will be evaluated by a judging panel selected by Hang On to the Dream Foundation.

  2. Judges may consider factors appropriate to each category, including but not limited to creativity, execution, originality, performance, storytelling, technical achievement, and overall effectiveness.

  3. Different categories may require different judging considerations.

  4. Judges will not be required to select a winner simply because a film or individual has received a nomination.

  5. Judges may determine that a category does not warrant a winner if, in their judgment, no submission meets the standard established for that award.

  6. The judging process is intended to recognize achievement and merit, not simply participation.

  7. Judging decisions are final.

 

10. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Judges should disclose relationships or circumstances that could reasonably create a conflict of interest involving a film, filmmaker, performer, or other nominee.

Hang On to the Dream may reassign or remove a judge from consideration of a particular submission when appropriate.

 

11. MULTIPLE AWARDS

A film or individual may receive more than one award.

Winning one award does not make a nominee ineligible for another applicable category.

For example, an international film may receive the Best International Short Film — Special Merit Award and or may not subsequently receive Best Short Film of the Year.

 

12. AWARDS WEEKEND

The inaugural Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards is scheduled for January 15–17, 2027, at the Hang On to the Dream Theatre in Hollywood, California.

FRIDAY — JANUARY 15

Nominee Reception / VIP Event

The Friday event is designed for nominees, filmmakers, creative professionals, guests, networking, interviews, photographs, and celebration.

No competitive awards will be presented on Friday.

SATURDAY — JANUARY 16

Filmmaker Workshops / Conference - Saturday Morning

Educational programming workshops may include directors, producers, casting professionals, agents, managers, equipment professionals, and other industry guests.

Genre & Craft Awards - Saturday Evening

Selected competitive awards will be presented Saturday evening.

SUNDAY — JANUARY 17

Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards - Best of the Year Awards

Sunday is reserved exclusively for the Best of the Year awards.

Winners from applicable Saturday categories may advance as finalists for corresponding Best of the Year awards.

 

13. BEST OF THE YEAR

Best of the Year awards are intended to represent the highest level of achievement within their respective fields.  These awards, including Best Short Film of the Year, the ultimate film award, will be presented during the Sunday ceremony.

Where applicable, winners of genre-specific awards may become finalists for the corresponding Best of the Year award.

For example:

Best Actor of the Year, Best Actress of the Year, etc. The same general structure may apply to other applicable craft and filmmaking categories.

Sunday therefore serves as the championship round of the awards.

 

14. ATTENDANCE

  1. Nomination does not automatically include admission to the awards ceremonies.

  2. Nominees, filmmakers, family members, friends, supporters, and industry guests are encouraged to purchase tickets and attend the awards.

  3. Ticket prices and event packages will be announced separately.

  4. Nominees are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

 

15. ACCEPTANCE OF AWARD

Award recipients must be available to accept their award in person or arrange an authorized representative to accept their award on their behalf with written prior approval by Hang On to the Dream Foundation.

Recipients may be photographed, interviewed, and recorded during the awards ceremonies and related events.

Award recipients grant Hang On to the Dream permission to use their name, likeness, photographs, interviews, and award information for legitimate promotional, editorial, archival, and publicity purposes related to the awards and Hang On to the Dream.

 

16. AWARD CREDENTIALS

Nominees and winners may identify their recognition through appropriate references such as:

  • Résumés

  • Websites

  • IMDb

  • Electronic Press Kits (EPKs)

  • Social media

  • Professional biographies

  • Pitch materials

  • Promotional materials

  • Applications and professional submissions

A nomination or award represents recognition of an accomplishment. It does not guarantee employment, representation, financing, distribution, career advancement, or future success.

 

17. DISQUALIFICATION

Hang On to the Dream reserves the right to disqualify a submission for any reason, including but not limited to:

  • The submission contains materially false or misleading information.

  • The submitter does not have the authority to submit the film.

  • The film violates applicable law or infringes the rights of another party.

  • The submission does not meet the published eligibility requirements.

  • The submitter attempts to manipulate judging or voting.

 

In the event of disqualification, Hang On to the Dream may revoke Official Selection, nomination, or awards recognition previously granted.

 

18. CHANGES TO THE RULES

Hang On to the Dream reserves the right to modify these rules when necessary to address unforeseen circumstances, protect the integrity of the awards, or improve the administration of the program.

Material changes will be communicated through the official awards website or other appropriate channels.

 

19. OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE AWARDS

The Hang On to the Dream Short Film Awards is an awards program of the Hang On to the Dream Foundation.

Hang On to the Dream Foundation reserves final authority over the administration, interpretation, and operation of the awards.

 

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