Dota 2 fans and filmmakers, it’s that time again. The Dota 2 Short Film Contest 2025 is officially open for submissions, inviting creators to craft short films of 90 seconds or less celebrating the game and its community. This tradition has been running for a decade, showcasing some truly memorable tributes on the grand stage of The International.
Submissions will be accepted until 3:00pm PDT on August 17th, 2025 via the Dota 2 Steam Workshop. Players can then discuss and vote on their favorite entries, helping Valve select the top ten finalists. These finalists will be featured during The International’s live broadcast in Hamburg this September.
The community’s role doesn’t end there. After Valve reviews Workshop ratings and discussions, the top entries will appear in the Dota client for a final community vote to determine the winners. The stakes are real: the top three films will earn $25,000, $10,000, and $5,000 respectively, while the other finalists receive $500 each.
If you missed last year’s winners or want a refresher, check out the top three entries from 2024:
- At Any Cost by dmurio
- Support by Nightfury Treann
- The Sphere Master by Mikhail Pakhomov
For full details on submission guidelines and contest rules, visit the official contest page. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the Workshop page to vote on your favorites and help shape which films get the spotlight at The International.
What kind of stories or styles would you like to see in this year’s submissions? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
