Short Film Casting Calls and Auditions
Short films are where a lot of the best reel material comes from. The parts are often more interesting than what you would be seen for on a larger production, and the director usually has time to actually work with you.
Below are the live short film notices on our board, with the role breakdowns, shoot window and compensation the production supplied.
Create a free account to get new noticesLive short film roles (26)
- Untitled Horror Film (Unhinged Films)
- Roles
- Male antagonist/creature character
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Compensation
- Paid
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Five Star
- Roles
- Nico, Bill the Cult Leader
- Location
- Houston
- Project type
- Short Film
- Compensation
- See instructions
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Darkroom
- Roles
- Andi, Jason
- Location
- New Kent
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $250 flat; overnight accommodations available
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- 4L3X
- Roles
- Charles, Daniella, Dr. Hessen
- Location
- Virginia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — Charles $100/hr; Daniella and Dr. Hessen $75/hr
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- A Brother's Bond
- Roles
- Mark, Aaron
- Location
- Albuquerque
- Project type
- Short Film
- Compensation
- Paid — Compensation discussed with selected cast on offer
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- In the Rearview
- Roles
- Jade, Lily, Charan, Varsha
- Location
- Washington DC / DMV
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid (rate TBD)
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Untitled College-Prank Psychological Drama
- Roles
- John, Emma, Ben, Alex, Leo, Sarah
- Location
- Richmond
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $50 stipend per principal ($75 for Sarah)
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Untitled Dramedy (Riley & Jade)
- Roles
- Riley, Jade, Mariah, Allie
- Location
- Richmond
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $50/day per actor plus meals, reel footage, and headshots
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- That Time the World Ended
- Roles
- Stevie, Mason, plus supporting roles including a news anchor and interviewees. Drama about two survivors.
- Location
- Houston
- Project type
- Short Film
- Compensation
- Lead roles paid
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- AAA Short Film
- Roles
- Micheal, David, Neil, Santiago
- Location
- Houston
- Project type
- Short Film
- Compensation
- Paid for lead and supporting roles
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Sold!
- Roles
- Hominy, M
- Location
- Richmond
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $175-200/day
Posted Aug 20 · No deadline given
- Darkroom - Psychological Thriller Short
- Location
- New Kent, VA
- Project type
- Short Film
- Compensation
- Paid — $250 flat
Posted Aug 4 · No deadline given
- Young Woman 19-21 for Lead Role in Romeo Drama
- Roles
- Actress
- Location
- USA
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Pay not stated
Posted Jul 28 · No deadline given
- Background Performers for Music Industry Drama
- Roles
- Background Extra
- Location
- USA
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Pay not stated
Posted Jul 28 · No deadline given
- Karate Earl - Short Film
- Roles
- Kai (Lead, Black male 10-13), Ms. Mary (Supporting, Black female 55-75), Mr. Henry (Supporting, Black male 55-75), Lonnie (Supporting, Black male 45-70), Store Clerk (Supporting, male 30-60), Trina (Supporting, Black female 30-45), Sim (Supporting, Black male 11-14)
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid (rate TBD)
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Romeo - Short Film
- Roles
- Actress (Lead, female 19-21)
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- The Stoop - Short Film
- Roles
- Background Cast (Background, adult)
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- The Mirror's Heart - Indie Short
- Roles
- Hannah / Mirror Hannah (Lead, female 20s, dual role), Calvin (Supporting, male 20s)
- Location
- Lakeland
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — Low pay
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Hides The Fire - Proof of Concept
- Roles
- Background Performers (Background, female 18-22)
- Location
- Santa Fe
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- No Pay — Food, IMDb credit, set stills and reel footage
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- The Swallow - Indie Short Film
- Roles
- Ghost/Cadence (Lead, female early 20s), Christian (Supporting, male mid-20s), Chase (Supporting, male)
- Location
- Santa Fe
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $200-$500/day negotiable, plus credit/meals
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Katfished - Thriller Short
- Roles
- Kat (Lead, female Caucasian 28-35)
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Deferred
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- With a Gun in His Hand - 1950s Noir Short
- Roles
- Claude Callaghan (Lead antagonist, male 28-45)
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- No Pay — Unpaid; deferred negotiable; food provided
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- In the Rearview - Short Film
- Roles
- Jade (Lead, female 18-28), Lily (Supporting, female 18-28), Charan (Supporting, male 30-55), Varsha (Supporting, female 30-55)
- Location
- Washington
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid (rate TBD)
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Sold! - Short Film
- Roles
- Hominy (Lead, Black man 50s-70s), M (Co-Lead, Black man 20s-30s)
- Location
- Richmond
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Paid — $175-$200/day
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Sisterhood - Short Film
- Roles
- Featured Talent (Featured, female 18-25)
- Location
- Philadelphia
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- Non-Union
- Compensation
- Unpaid
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
- Afterlife - USC MFA Thesis Film
- Roles
- Ahmed (Lead, male 20-25), Hakim (Supporting, male 18-22), Amir (Supporting, male 19-25), Bilal (Supporting, male 45-60), Hakim's Mother VO (Supporting, female 40-50)
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Project type
- Short Film
- Union
- SAG-AFTRA
- Compensation
- Copy/Credit/Meals — Copy, IMDb credit and meals
Posted Jul 26 · No deadline given
How this work runs
Ask about the footage
On a short, the copy of the finished film is often worth as much to you as the day rate. Confirm in writing that you will receive footage, and roughly when.
Check the shoot window carefully
Shorts move around. Make sure the listed dates are dates you can genuinely hold before you submit, and tell the production early if that changes.
Compensation varies
Some shorts pay a proper day rate, some pay expenses, some are deferred. Each notice shows what the production told us — read it before you tape.
Questions actors ask
Is a short film worth doing if it is unpaid?
That is your call to make with full information. Weigh the script, the director's previous work, the footage you would get and what the days cost you. We show the compensation on every notice so you can decide before you invest the time.
Can I use a short film on my reel?
Yes, provided you have the footage and the production is fine with you using it. Agree that up front rather than after the shoot.
Do short films count as credits?
Yes. Shorts go on your resume as film credits, with the role type and the director's name.
Other kinds of casting call
Casting calls by city
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- Casting calls in Houston, Texas
- Casting calls in Miami, Florida
- Casting calls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Casting calls in Richmond, Virginia
- Casting calls in Wilmington, North Carolina
- Casting calls in Nashville, Tennessee
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