About Us

The International Usak Short Film Festival is a pioneering cultural platform bringing together Turkey's rich heritage and independent cinema with global audiences. Since its inaugural edition, the festival has aimed to foster short film production, create opportunities for emerging filmmakers, and present high-caliber cinematic works to viewers.

Our festival holds the distinction of being the first and only film festival in Turkey to pay screening royalties to all films in its official selection. Respect for the intellectual property and labor of cinema professionals remains one of our foundational institutional values.

Held annually across three primary competitive categories — International Short Film Competition, National Short Film Competition, and National Student Film Competition — the winning films are honored with the prestigious Winged Seahorse Awards.