Festival short drama pickups and web series gaining traction
Key Questions
What Sundance-related opportunities are currently available for short films and episodic projects?
Submissions for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival are now open for feature films and short films. The Sundance Short Film Tour is scheduled for November 2026, and the TikTok/Sundance microseries writing program has expanded with a free training course.
What new short films and web series have been highlighted in recent updates?
New shareable shorts include 'Don't Look Behind You', 'After the Rain', 'ATTAGIRL!', 'VHX', and 'Funny Woman 3'. Additional releases feature the AI psychological thriller 'HATE²' (4:38), the teaser for 'STILL' (1 min), and the Thai short comedy drama 'ท้องไม่รับ!! I ละครตอนละบาท EP.10'.
Which festivals are announcing awards or nominees for short films?
Australia's St Kilda Film Festival has announced nominees for its 2026 Top Shorts Program. The TFCC Short Film Festival Awards 2026 held a press meet for Tollywood shorts, and the AI International Micro-Drama Awards in Hollywood will feature curated screenings.
What details are available about the new series 'Open World'?
An official teaser for the new original series 'Open World' (1 min) has been released on YouTube, with the full series dropping on June 24. It is described as offering a chance to live a flawed life in an imperfect world.
Are there any notable cast additions to existing web series?
Jeff Hiller has joined the cast of the YouTube web series 'Don't Suck' for its second season, which returns on June 4. The series is an independent production available on the platform.
What micro-drama or short-form content from Asia is gaining attention?
The Hindi mini web series 'Temporary Address EP3' and the legal micro-drama '荆棘花开' from 央广网's '惊奇剧场' have launched recently. Lee Joon-ik's short drama was also invited to BIFAN's new short-form showcase.
Which student or indie shorts have been discovered or selected recently?
The student short 'THE NEW' and the award-winning indie short 'Baby In The Basement' by Dina Faye Gilmore were recently found. HDP Studios' 'Thirty Something' was selected for the Hip Hop Film Festival.
What is the status of the New York Indian Film Festival shorts roundup?
The 2026 New York Indian Film Festival shorts roundup has been added, highlighting up-and-coming directors and self-contained stories in the short film format.
Cannes Palme d'Or 14min boxing short; Sundance Short Film Tour Nov 2026; First U.S. microdrama festival in NYC. TikTok/Sundance microseries writing program expanded with free training course. New shareable shorts: 'Don't Look Behind You', 'After the Rain', 'ATTAGIRL!', 'VHX', 'Funny Woman 3'. HDP Studios' 'Thirty Something' selected for Hip Hop Film Festival. Hindi mini web series 'Temporary Address EP3'. SXSW Short Form Prize winner 'Son Of A Bikram' getting long-form adaptation. Student short 'THE NEW' and indie short 'Baby In The Basement' found. Lee Joon-ik's short drama invited to BIFAN's new short-form showcase. New release: 央广网 '惊奇剧场' legal micro-drama '荆棘花开' launching today. 2026 New York Indian Film Festival shorts roundup added. Jeff Hiller joins cast of YouTube web series 'Don't Suck' for season 2. New: AI psychological thriller short 'HATE²' (4:38) discovered; teaser for new short drama series 'STILL' (1 min) added. New: TFCC Short Film Festival Awards 2026 press meet for Tollywood short films. New: AI International Micro-Drama Awards in Hollywood with curated screenings. New: Australia's St Kilda Film Festival Top Shorts nominees announced. New this run: Thai short comedy drama episode 'ท้องไม่รับ!! I ละครตอนละบาท EP.10' (short, shareable); new web series teaser 'Open World' (1 min, dropping June 24). New: Sundance opening submissions for 2027 short films and episodic projects.