Award Categories

Each year, the American International Short Film Festival recognizes excellence across craft, performance, storytelling, and cultural impact. Awards are presented in the following categories:

  • Best World Short
    The top honor of the festival, awarded to the most outstanding short film overall.

    Best Audience Award Short
    Selected by festival attendees.

    Best Director’s Short
    The Shawna Baca Award

    Best First-Time Director’s Short

  • Best Actress in a Short Film

    Best Actor in a Short Film

    Best Supporting Actress in a Short Film

    Best Supporting Actor in a Short Film

  • Best Music Score – Short Film

    Best Screenplay
    PageCraft Writing Award
    • 1st Prize
    • 2nd Prize
    • 3rd Prize

  • Best Documentary Short

    Best Animated Short

    Best Comedy Short

    Best Drama Short

    Best Music Video Short

    Best Horror / Sci-Fi Short

  • Best Latino Short
    The Danny Trejo Award

    Best Asian Short

    Best Native American Short

    Best African American Short

    Best LGBTQ+ Short