As the name suggests, the Vienna Shorts Festival is a major international film festival celebrating short-form movies (though part of me wishes this was a Lederhosen retrospective).
- Numerous films across multiple genres
- As well as screenings, various other events (panels, workshops, etc.)
- Prestigious international and national film awards
- 2021 dates: TBA (usually late spring)
- See also: Film festivals | DotDotDot film festival
The art of short films
Now approaching its 18th year, the Vienna Shorts Festival promotes, presents and discusses the short-form version of film making, with a huge lineup of Austrian and international films.
The festival normally offers way more than just a series of screenings, since it also covers various film prizes, panel discussions, industry events, and more. It also approaches short film in the widest possible context, as a sociocultural and artistic medium as much as a means of information or entertainment.
2021 highlights
For the full programme, check the Vienna Shorts website when details become available. The competitions invariably count among the highlights. In 2020, these competition screenings included:
- Fiction & Documentary and Animation Avantgarde awards (57 films shortlisted from 27 countries)
- Austrian Competition and Austrian Video Music Award (39 videos shortlisted across both competitions)
2021 dates and tickets
As soon as I get the dates for the next festival, I’ll post them here.
In previous years, you would typically buy tickets either at the box office of the relevant cinema just before a showing or online in advance through the Vienna Shorts website.
How to get to the cinemas
The 2020 screenings were online only, but the following cinemas hosted the festival programme in 2019:
Gartenbaukino
Address: Parkring 12, 1010 Vienna | Website
Take the U3 subway to Stubentor or the U4 to Stadtpark. The tram line 2 stops more or less outside (Weihburggasse stop).
Austrian Film Museum
Address: Augustinerstraße 1, 1010 Vienna | Website
Take the U3 to Stephansplatz or the U1, U2 or U4 to Karlsplatz (exit at the Oper side). The 2A bus stops outside (Albertinaplatz) or take the 1, 2, D or 71 tram around the Ring to Oper/Karlsplatz.
Stadtkino im Kunstlerhaus
Address: Akademiestraße 13, 1010 Vienna | Website
Take the U1, U2 or U4 to Karlsplatz or the same trams as for the Film Museum above.
Burgkino
Address: Opernring 19, 1010 Vienna | Website
Take the U2 to Museumsquartier or trams 1, 2, D or /1 to Burgring.