The 815HORTS Film Festival, established in 2022 and pronounced "815 shorts," is an annual event held in Rockford, Illinois, dedicated to curating screening experiences and interactive programs for film enthusiasts. The festival aims to become an Oscar-qualifying film festival, emphasizing local, regional, and global partnerships. It features various activities, including short film screenings, filmmaker interviews, Q&As, educational panels, networking events, and meet-and-greet opportunities with industry professionals. The festival also hosts the Illinois Film Office's Shortcuts Student Film Contest and has featured screenings from the Sundance Film Festival Shorts Tour. It concludes with "The 5HORT Awards," recognizing excellence in categories such as Best Animated Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Live Action Short, and Best in Show.