SHORT IS TOUGH and this is why needs a whole scientific conference to dedicate.

The call for 5th interdisciplinary scientific conference SHORT FILMS, BIG QUESTIONS: FESTIVALS, POLITICS, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT of IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival is now open for participants and their papers. The conference will be held 25th – 26th June 2026 in Palace of Culture in Pernik, Bulgaria in the context of upcoming edition of the Oscar Qualifying festival. Deadline to receive submissions is 20th May 2026.

The event was established by initiative of IN THE PALACE back in 2019 as part of the FILMER FORGE – festival`s annual industry program. First interdisciplinary international conference`s edition, titled THE SHORT FILM: A GENRE SUI GENERIS, was devoted to the short film genre and thus was be focused on the themes, trends, issues, and perception of contemporary short films.

Each year BA, MA, PHD students, academics, researchers, practicians, etc. in the short film world, literature, language, philosophy and more are invited to take part to explore and offer their renditions of a shared material and initiate an enriching debate on the genre of the short film. Conference proceedings are being published in a thematic printer collection and distributing academia and the short film industry.

The international scientific conference of IN THE PALACE was established with the idea and with the purpose to create an interdisciplinary working space bringing together young and established academics from the fields of film, literature, language, etc.

More information about the Call for the 5th IN THE PALACE conference on the short film, themes, requirements, other details and more information on the initiative itself, please follow the link