The British Short Film Awards
Celebrating the future of British filmmaking
Client:
CenterFrame
Scope:
Website | Strategy | Social | Campaigns
Year:
2025
The British Short Film Awards is one of the leading showcases for emerging filmmakers in the UK. Gringo partnered with CenterFrame to relaunch the Awards with a new vision, new partnerships, and a national campaign designed to make short films part of the cultural conversation again.
The BSFA had strong roots but needed a complete relaunch — one that reflected the energy and ambition of a new generation of filmmakers. Gringo led the repositioning, messaging, and campaign strategy, from the brand identity to the public launch.
Our goal was to make the BSFA not only an awards ceremony, but a movement that celebrates the people behind short films and gives them a platform to be seen by the industry.
STRATEGY
We reshaped the brand from the ground up.
• Defined a new positioning: “Where filmmakers meet the industry.”
• Designed a campaign built around transparency, credibility, and creative recognition.
• Partnered with Picturehouse Central to make the ceremony a flagship event for UK film.
• Developed a full social and media calendar leading up to the 2026 edition, covering teaser, launch, and countdown phases.
The brand tone was direct and cinematic, speaking to filmmakers as peers, not applicants.
SOCIAL + DIGITAL CAMPAIGN
Across all platforms, the goal was clear: make people care about short films again.
We ran a multi-phase campaign:
• Phase 1 – Teaser: Minimal visuals, bold typography, focused on curiosity and tone-setting.
• Phase 2 – Launch: Full rollout of submissions, showcasing new categories and partners.
• Phase 3 – Countdown: Urgent, fast-paced content driving last-minute entries.
All creative used CenterFrame’s submission engine, ensuring a seamless experience from awareness to action.
PARTNERSHIPS
We built collaborations with Picturehouse, industry mentors, and potential brand sponsors to expand the Awards’ reach and credibility. Each partnership added visibility and value, creating new entry points for filmmakers, sponsors, and audiences alike.
RESULTS
• Record engagement across social channels during the 2025–2026 campaign
• 120% increase in early submissions year-on-year
• Expanded sponsor pipeline to include major UK film partners
• Reestablished BSFA as one of the key national short film competitions
THE TAKEAWAY
Gringo helped turn The British Short Film Awards into more than an event. It became a brand filmmakers trust — a platform where recognition meets opportunity.