Established in 2012, we are a grassroots short film festival dedicated to helping low budget and early career filmmakers break into the industry.
A very nice festival, inclusive, and with a rich variety of selections!
Giacomi Dondi, submitting filmmaker.
We’ve received over 6000 submissions from all over the world over the past 13 years, and we take over disused shop units, masonic halls, clubs and bars across Cardiff to screen shortlisted films, as well as special one-off screenings of cult classics.
All British films accepted into the 2026 Cardiff Mini Film Festival are eligible to be entered into the 2026 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).
We accept submissions for the following categories:
Fiction Short – Low Budget
Any fiction film shorter than 30 minutes.
Fiction Short – Big Spender
For fiction films shorter than 30 minutes made with a little more money.
Documentary
Give us some real life wonders, but keep it less than 30 minutes please!
Welsh Film Award
For anyone born, raised, living in or from Wales. Again, less than 30 minutes, diolch!
Twisted Tales
Our popular category for anything horror, off-beat or simply downright weird. 30 minutes maximum.
One Minute Wonder
Short and sweet category for 1 minute micro-shorts.
British Student Award
A category just for students!
Animation
For any and all animated short films under 30 minutes.
Meet The Team:
Jody Tozer – Festival Director
Alongside Cardiff Mini Film Festival, Jody heads Bulldozer Films, working with grassroots talent, and delivering BFI Film Academies across Wales. She has worked for It’s My Shout and the Iris Prize.
Michael Karam – Festival Producer
Michael oversees the pre-selection panel, outreach and marketing and manages the awards. He has experience producing and directing independent short films, and working for the Iris Prize.
Kate Chesson – Festival Founder
Kate is an experienced producer and lecturer at Coleg Gwent, and is the lead tutor of the BFI Film Academies in Swansea. She has aided the festival since it’s inception.
A huge thank you to our pre-selection panel who watch and adjudicate all of our submissions.
The 2026 Pre-Selection Panel:
Alex Nankivell, Alexander Griffiths, Amelia Lloyd, Arran Walby, Carmen Medway-Stephens, Chris Lloyd, Dom Farelli, Dwayne Wyatt, Eilidh Carver, Grant Vidgen, Harriett Bradbury, Helen Rose, James Woodward, Jamie McKee, Kyle Thomas, Laura Rodriguez, Llanten No, Louis Du Toit, Madusha Gunawardana, Massimo Salvato, Matt Jones, Megan Cooper, Michael Henry, Niamh Barry, Nick McNeill, Paul Crossland, Phil John, Remy Dean, Robert Bluszcz, Tash Horton, Terry Ombaka, Will Smith
Cardiff Mini Film Festival is produced by Bulldozer Films, a Cardiff-based grassroots production company committed to helping people break into the film industry.