Animated Shorts 2026: Program One
RiverRun is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the category of Animated Shorts, meaning the winner in this category may submit for Academy Awards consideration.
Animated Shorts 2026: Program Two
RiverRun is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the category of Animated Shorts, meaning the winner in this category may submit for Academy Awards consideration. Sponsored by Zaloo’s Canoes.
Documentary Shorts 2026: Program 1
RiverRun is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the category of Documentary Shorts. This is one of two shorts blocks in competition, of which the winner may submit for Academy Awards consideration.
Documentary Shorts 2026: Program 2
RiverRun is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the category of Documentary Shorts. This is one of two shorts blocks in competition, of which the winner may submit for Academy Awards consideration.
Documentary Shorts 2026: Program 3: Artist Portraits
This shorts block features films highlighting talented artists in a wide variety of disciplines.
Films With Class Shorts Program – Elementary School 2026
Teaching through film. RiverRun recognizes the unique and critical role arts education plays in reaching students both inside and outside the classroom. Through our free education program, Films With Class, we present free screenings of carefully curated films for area students at the Festival each spring.
Films With Class Shorts Program – Middle/High School 2026
Teaching through film. RiverRun recognizes the unique and critical role arts education plays in reaching students both inside and outside the classroom. Through our free education program, Films With Class, we present free screenings of carefully curated films for area students at the Festival each spring.
LIMITLESS Shorts
LIMITLESS: Stories Without Restraint features films made by, starring, and centered on people with visible and non-visible disabilities. These urgent, defiant worksdisrupt outdated narratives and assert inclusion as essential—not optional—to the future of storytelling.
North Carolina Shorts 2026: Program 3: Winston Stories
Sponsored by Reel South and Nelson Mullins. RiverRun is pleased to be affiliated with Reel South. Reel South SHORTS, the digital hive of the PBS series Reel South, showcases the best in Southern short-form and is built on partnerships with the South’s regional film festivals.
