As a short film festival, we can’t help but think about size. In a world obsessed with scale and the belief that bigger is better, we’re flipping the script: Can small things create a big impact? What is the power of small gestures, grassroots movements—or even a short film? How does screen size or film length affect the way we experience stories? This year, Leiden Shorts explores scale in all its forms, from no-budget gems and tiny screens to marathon runtimes and fleeting moments, challenging our assumptions about storytelling, time, and significance.

Leiden Shorts returns in 2025 to once again transform the city into a dynamic hub for short-form cinema. Over five days, the festival will showcase more than 120 carefully selected films from over 45 countries, drawn from over 1,400 submissions. With a vibrant programme of competition screenings, exhibitions, thematic explorations, and in-depth discussions, Leiden Shorts continues to foster emerging talent, broaden perspectives, and create meaningful connections between filmmakers and audiences.