Following recent changes to the eligibility rules for the British Independent Film Awards, Short of the Week has been officially recognised as one of just nine online platforms qualifying filmmakers for the BIFA Best British Short Film award.

The announcement marks a significant moment for S/W, with few major awards bodies currently recognising online platforms as an official pathway to awards consideration. This inclusion signals a growing acknowledgement of the role curated digital platforms, like S/W, play in championing emerging filmmaking talent alongside the traditional festival circuit.

“We’re genuinely thrilled to be included on BIFA’s qualifying list,” said Rob Munday, Managing Editor of Short of the Week. “We hope this recognition is the first of many that mark a broader industry shift, with other major awards bodies – including BAFTA and the Academy Awards – embracing online platforms, alongside festivals, as credible sources for short film and talent discovery.”

The new qualification status will not apply to every film featured on Short of the Week. However, British-produced short films completed after 1 May 2025 and selected for the platform will be eligible to apply for the 2026 Best British Short Film award when submissions open in June. Full rules and eligibility criteria can be found here

Over the past two decades, a number of filmmakers featured on Short of the Week have gone on to receive BIFA recognition, including Chris Shepherd, Simon Ellis, Nina Gantz, Charlie Shackleton and more. With our platform now serving as an official qualifying route, the next BIFA-winning short may already have premiered on our site.