8.1
The award is presented to the European director(s) (see 3.4) of a European short film.
8.2
To be eligible, the main production country of a short film has to be European (see 3.2). The film must be produced in 2024 or 2025 and shall not exceed 30 minutes. Eligible are fiction, documentary, animation and experimental films.
8.3
The EUROPEAN SHORT FILM 2026 – Prix Vimeo is presented in co-operation with Vimeo and 30 European film festivals (see short film network) which include the different genres in their respective (main/international) competition(s).
8.4
Between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025, at each of the listed festivals, a jury appointed by the festival selects a single candidate (there shall be no ex-aequo candidates). The same film(s) may get selected at several festivals within the circuit.
8.5
Based on the complete list of candidates the participating festivals nominate five short films.
8.6
The nominations are made available for viewing to the Academy Members who vote for the winner.