The Discipline of the Ultra-Short
The GENiUS category is a specialized discipline dedicated to the micro-film. It challenges the filmmaker to construct a complete, high-impact story within a strict five-minute total running time, including credits. This format represents one of the most incredible challenges in modern cinema (at least that’s how we see it), requiring a level of precision and narrative intent that leaves absolutely no room for error. To tell a story in under five minutes is to strip away everything but the essential, revealing the raw mechanics of a vision that must be perfectly balanced against the clock.
This category is designed for filmmakers who see the five-minute limit as a rigorous test of their craft. Our jury seeks works where every frame is a deliberate choice and every second serves the foundational integrity of the film. We are looking for the specialists of the medium—those who can create a profound cinematic experience that carries as much weight and gravity as a feature-length production. It is about the mastery of the “unseen architecture” of a story, proving that a masterwork isn’t defined by its length, but by its execution.
As a flagship program hosted at AMC Theatres at The Grove, GENiUS serves as a prestigious showcase for those who have mastered this high-stakes format. Because this category relies on the immediate, visceral impact of the work on the viewer, the top honor for this discipline is the Audience Award (pictured). It is a unique certification of merit awarded by the public, validating that the filmmaker has successfully conquered the immense challenge of the ultra-short form to deliver a lasting, memorable masterwork.