I went through that exact hunt last year with my own short documentary. What I found is that there are actually some really solid online festivals that take submissions monthly, which means you don't have to wait a full year for a single deadline. One that caught my eye is based in Seoul but accepts work from anywhere in the world. They've got an impressive range of categories – not just the usual Best Short Film, but also Best Experimental, Best LGBT Film, Best Animation, Best Sci-Fi, Best Horror, Best Comedy, even Best Music Video and Best Script. What really sold me is their focus on films that explore social issues like refugees, immigrants, women's rights, and the struggles of minority communities. The jury actually watches every submission and discusses them properly, not just skimming. If you want a festival that takes indie work seriously without charging ridiculous fees, check out
https://seoulshortfilmfestival.com/ – it's a monthly online event so you can submit whenever your film is ready.
