OFF is Denmark’s international short film festival and with its launch in 1975 it is also the country’s oldest film festival. OFF is an alternative film festival born with passion and creativity; a spirit the festival has maintained and nurtured ever since. OFF supports and celebrates the short film genre without compromise, but at the same time Odense International Film Festival is a festival for the audience, which experiences massive support from the locals in the town of Odense year after year. Hundreds sign up as volunteers, and even more visit the festival for the high-quality experience. OFF works all year round to support Danish film culture, and to offer and develop diverse film experiences for people to enjoy.

”Expect the unexpected” – OFF is outlook to the world and insight into one self. A break from the grey everyday life where obligation is replaced by adventurous desire. Desire for more. Desire for something new. Every year ’Brandts Klædefabrik’ in Odense is transformed into a magical site. Everyone is invited to enjoy experiences that cover the entirety of the emotional spectrum.

OFF celebrates the short film format as media and art form. We celebrate all the creative individuals who put their heart and soul into creating short films.  We receive thousands of short films in the days leading up to the festival, both Danish and international, and our carefully selected jury picks out the very best to be shown at our festival. The films are shown in sessions of five to eight short films which last about 120 minutes. If the filmmakers in our competitions are visiting the festival, they will be at the screenings to present their films and answer questions from the audience.

Every year, the festival ends with a grand award show with ovations and celebration, where the winners will be announced and celebrated of the five competitions: The International Competition, the Danish Competition, the Animation Competition, Documentary Competition, and the Youth Competition.

All of this takes place in the area around Brandts; In Café Biografen, Kulturmaskinen, Magasinet, Teater Momentum and in the open-air area of the Amfi Theatre – and everyone is invited to take part in the festivities.

Odense International Film Festival is not just short film in the dark and red velvet seats. It is an event that opens doors to a world filled with inspiration, surprises and emotions. In the days leading up to the festival and all through the week, all of Odense is imbued with events, workshops, music, parties, seminars, interesting guests and impressions from all over the world. They are all here; film critics, film personalities, up-comings, dreamers and marvelors – and hopefully YOU!

Get ready for sweet, fun, sad, sensual, and OFF experiences. See you in August!