Our 18th edition promises to be an exciting one. Only eight days after the "opening" in Austria allows cultural events again, we also open our doors—as the first film event in Austria which is held live again and with an extensive, albeit naturally limited, offering. Of the total of 310 films and more than 60 planned program items, around a third can be experienced on the big screen in Vienna.

The entire program is published as of today and can be streamed online on the festival's film portal as of May 27. On site, all competition programs will be shown locally at Stadtkino im Künstlerhaus—except for the Austrian Music Video Award, which will take place on May 30 at the jazz club Porgy & Bess, including a live concert by the Viennese hip-hop band EsRAP.

At the Austrian Film Museum, dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Paul Wenninger will be guest of honor with his extraordinary films and a Carte Blanche. At Filmhauskino am Spittelberg, there will be a Director's Talk with three up-and-coming Austrian directors in cooperation with the directors' association ADA. And three open-air events are planned in cooperation with VOLXkino at Karmelitermarkt, including the opening and the award ceremony.

According to the May 10 opening ordinance, the requirements for COVID-19-safe events in theaters and outdoors are an FFP2 mask, a personalized ticket and proof of being vaccinated, tested or recovered. Festival tickets will be available online starting May 20, all open-air events are with free admission.

Access to the VIENNA SHORTS film portal requires an online pass at 15 euros, which can be purchased via the festival website. Not only are most of the films now available worldwide (without geo-blocking), but more than a third have also been provided with subtitles in German.

Accreditations for the festival (Vienna Shorts Industry Pass+) are available online for 20 euros; these also entitle the holder to free admission to cinema screenings.

News 18.5.2021