Submissions Open till April 1st 2026!

The ILLUMINATE Film Festival invites storytellers, creators, and visionaries from around the world to submit to the 2026 Oneness of Humanity Micro-Short Film Contest which is a celebration of connection, creativity, and our shared human family.

These ninety-second films are cinematic “micro-doses” of goodness: brief but powerful moments that reveal our shared humanity, open hearts, and spark hope. Whether through a moment of kindness, a flash of wonder, a timeless truth, or a surprising spark of joy, we invite you to illuminate what connects us all.

Finalist films will premiere at the in-person ILLUMINATE Film Festival in Santa Barbara on October 2, 2026, with additional visibility through the Festival’s global outreach. Winning films will also be shared with partner streaming platforms, festivals, conferences, and community programs.