THINK YOU CAN MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH IN 3 MINUTES OE LESS?

We’re inviting filmmakers, comedians, students, and creative storytellers to participate in our First Annual PlazaMAC Comedy Short Film Contest.

This fast, funny filmmaking challenge asks creators to produce a family-friendly comedy short (3 minutes or under, including credits) while incorporating three surprise elements into their film. How you use them is entirely up to your creativity.

Whether it’s slapstick, parody, clever dialogue, visual gags, animation, or absurd comedy, we want to see how inventive filmmakers can be under a short time limit and a few ridiculous rules. Selected films will be screened at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center during a special comedy showcase event where audiences and judges will celebrate the funniest and most creative entries.


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Every submission must include:

  • The line of dialogue: “Stupid is as stupid does.”

  • A cat teaser wand toy appearing somewhere in the film

  • A character named “Captain Oopsie Daisy”

Rules & Terms

  • Must be 18 years or older to submit.

  • Films must be 3 minutes or less, including credits.

  • Entries must be original works created by the submitting filmmaker(s).

  • Films should be appropriate for audiences 13 years of age and up.

  • Multiple submissions are allowed, but each film requires a separate entry.

  • Must be Live-Action only. Narrative.

  • No documentaries, animation, and no use of AI.

Full list of rules on the registration page.

Awards & Prizes:

The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center Comedy Short Film Contest celebrates creativity, humor, and clever filmmaking. Selected films will be screened at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center in Patchogue, New York, on October 3, 2026, at 7PM, where audience members and judges will enjoy an evening of short comedy films. Doors open at 6pm. Awards are as follows:

Best Comedy Short Film

  • $500 Cash Prize

  • Official Award Certificate

  • Screening at the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center for an entire month before our regularly scheduled programing.

Best Joke

  • Certificate Awarded to the film featuring the funniest single joke or comedic moment.

Best Cat Toy Moment

  • Certificate Awarded to the most memorable or hilarious use of the cat teaser wand toy.

Best Line delivery of the name “Captain Oopsie Daisy”

  • Certificate Awarded to the best line delivery.

Register Here

Questions? Please contact the box office at (631) 438-0083 or email box-office@plazamac.org.