Blog: Film festivals

The South African HorrorFest is the first (and close on only) event of its kind on the continent, bringing an exciting array of feature films and short films from around the world to the audience, who wouldn't get to see these indie productions in a cinema otherwise. 2023 is our 19th edition!

After the pandemic disaster the festival added an on-line with selected screenings also in cinema. The streaming portion actually served as a plus in that this expanded the scope to reach more viewers in further flung areas of South Africa, and will remain a part of the festival for the foreseeable future.

All movie mediums and styles are accepted, as long as it contains elements of Horror / Chiller / Terror / Monsters etc.
For instance, an animated Sci-Fi comedy with monsters will be accepted.

Due to the indie nature of the event, unfortunately screening fees cannot be offered

The Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival is organised by Les Films du Spectre, a non-profit making association dedicated to genre cinema, which includes fantasy, horror, science-fiction and thrillers.

In addition to the Festival’s international prizes, as a member of the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation, it also awards the Silver Méliès for the best European fantastic film.

THE FESTIVAL .
Universo Corto is an international short film festival that began in Pisa in 2004 and will have its XV edition in 2022.

It is an independent review of free theme short films organized by the cultural association Giovani Persone.

The Festival is directed primarily to university, post-graduate and cinema accademies students, but it's also open to indipendent cinema's directors. Since the first edition, the presidency of the event has been permanently held by the director Roberto Faenza.

Our former jury Chairmen: Roberto Faenza, Marco Bellocchio, Oliviero Toscani, Mario Dondero, Roan Johnson, Luca Lionello, Leslie & Robert Zemeckis, Eros Galbiati.

Eastern Nigeria Film Festival (ENIFF) is a platform for films and filmmakers to be seen, supported and celebrated. ENIFF is a festival where filmmakers, actors, and film lovers can engage in ways previously unseen before at a film festival in Africa. Where filmmakers will be treated with so much respect, rewarded for their creativity and contribution to the advancement of humanity.

There would be masterclasses where professionals in the industry will individually offer insights about the workings of the show business. It is not all about films and lectures, our closing night party is something to look forward to. Nigeria is known for hosting great parties in the world, with the best music, food and of course, Nollywood celebrities will be around to party with you. You don't want to miss it! We accept films from all over the world. Send your films, let the world celebrate your beauty.

USIFFAM is a creative platform and touring festival, which is being held at different venues, to promote dynamic and talented producers, directors, artist, actors, singers,
The screenings of there videos, Films, Art and Music at prestigious venues, and educational institutions, for submission of your videos, contact email usiffam90@gmail.com.

Much more than a short film festival, USIFFAM is an inclusive platform dedicated to the spreading of ideas through short-format Films, Arts and Music.

Since we started in 2019 we have had around 120 submissions from different countries. We aspire to promote, recognize and support independent filmmakers throughout the world by hosting a variety of awards to provide the best opportunities for filmmakers and help them receive their deserved recognition. We welcome submissions from a range of genres including short films, documentaries, features, animations, and screenplays, Art of different types and also Music.

Backed by the prestigious University of Zulia, we are the longest-running short film festival in Venezuela, organised by the Cine Club Universitario de Maracaibo since 1981, in turn the first to be established in the country, in 1962, prior to the creation of the National Film Archive of Venezuela (1966).

The name of the festival was chosen because of the historical importance of the pioneer Manuel Trujillo Durán for the development of the production and diffusion of cinema in Venezuela, who only 13 months after the projections made by the Lumière brothers in Paris in December 1895, made possible the exhibition on 28 January 1897 at the Baralt Theatre in Maracaibo, of two of his films, an event recognised as the first cinematographic projections in the country.

HISTORY:
The origins of the FMTFD date back to the project drawn up by the professors of the University of Zulia: Gabriel Arriechi, Fernando Perdomo and Ricardo Ball, who with the unconditional support of Sergio Antillano, Rosa María Salom and Rafael Araujo organised the first edition, which took place from 28 to 31 January 1981 in various cultural spaces in Maracaibo.

TODAY:
Since its 15th edition in 2020, the festival has opened its doors to works and filmmakers from all over the world.

The Esoteric International Film Festival collects the best esoteric films from around the world, which were created both by professionals and by enthusiasts, and helps to get them across to the Russian audience.

We admit only the esoteric films, both modern and historical ones. As well as those films, where esoteric world is an important part of the synopsis.

Esoteric International Film Festival invite filmmakers who make films and documentaries about ghosts and spirits, brownies and witches, fairies and sorcerers, exorcism and parapsychology, telekinesis and transmission of thoughts at a distance, prophetic dreams and premonitions, alchemy, amulets, amulets, non-traditional religious cults, voodoo religion, animism, shamanism, theosophy and anthroposophy, the hidden edges of reality and other dimensions; self-discovery, the search for the meaning of life, the search for yourself in this world and your mission, life after death, human energy, chakras, aura, meditation, yoga, retreats, spiritual practices, spiritual teachers and ashrams, reincarnation and the recollection of past lives, the power of thoughts and the work of the subconscious; alternative medicine and non-standard methods of treatment, the universal mind, the energies of the new time, high vibrations, etc.

All films must be in English (orRussian). Alternatively, have the English or Russian subtitles (with the exception of all films without words), regardless of the country of production.

All best films that were selected for the vscreening, will be shown on the big screen during the solemn final ceremony on February 01-02, 2025 in Moscow, Russia and will be able to struggle for the main prize and the title of the "Best Esoteric film". As well as for the oteric in the standalone nominations.

"Experimental Superstars" is international film festival for experimental films, music videos and other audio-visual forms which are using film language.

Festival take place in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Cinema tells the reality of our life. What “The Night of Drama Shorts” looks for films that expose it. We are looking for dramatic, documentary, experimental, independent, tragicomic films, everything that speaks of mankind.

The best films will be part of the official selection and will be screened during the festival event on Youtube.

New York City Independent Film Festival (NYCIndieFF) will hold a physical festival this year. We will celebrate the Independent Filmmaker, documentaries, short and feature-length films and animation. Whether a submission is comedic, dramatic, or something in between, The NYCIndieFF is eager to embrace fresh ideas and storytelling.

Home of the NYC Indie Awards the festival aims to discover the Artist Filmmaker, showcasing them to the entertainment industry and the NYC public. All NYCIndieFF screenings take place in the historic center of NYC, Time Square which is the perfect home for an event geared toward creating incredible opportunities for independent voices.

NYCIndieFF honors the Best in Category which includes Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Narrative, Best Super Short, Best Covid Diaries, as well as Best Director.

NYCIndieFF provides a showcase for the best in independent cinema, including short films, feature films, music videos, and animated works. With panels, parties and a week-long gathering of fellow indie filmmakers NYCIndieFF is the place to be June 5 to June 8, 2024 This dates may move to accommodate any and all government regulations.

Submit now to be a part of all the excitement and join our community of Filmmakers from around the world. See in this year in NYC in 2024!!

International Mountain Film Festival Ushuaia SHH... is a cultural and educative event born in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. We aim to contribute to a culture of care for nature and sustainable development of human society, specially in mountain environments. Annually and without commercial purposes we set a complex program of screenings, cultural and educational activities such as exhibitions, lectures, live music, visual and performing arts, food tasting and mountain sports to highlight, build and consolidate the genre of mountain cinema in the region. FICMUS is the Latinamérica regional representative of International Alliance for Mountain Film (IAMF) networking with other Mountain Film Festivals and events of the regions to promote mountain culture.

TRAVEL FILM International Film Festival collects the best travel, outdoor, nature and adventure films from around the world, which were created both by professionals and by enthusiasts, and helps to get them across to the Russian speaking audience.

All best films will be shown on the big screen during the solemn final ceremony on February 15 - 16, 2025 in Moscow, Russia and will be able to struggle for the main prize and the title of the "Best travel film". As well as for the prizes in the standalone nominations.

Aiming to awaken the Philippines to new ways of thought thru films!

LesGaiCineMad Madrid International LGBTI+ Film Festival is a LGTBI+ Film Festival in seen in Spanish Speaking countries. The inaugural edition was held in 1996. With an estimated audience of more than 10,000 spectators, it is a well attended festival by members of the Community of Madrid and is covered by the Spanish Press.

Cortomontagna prize is exclusively dedicated to short films.

The prize’s main theme is Mountain life, told and documented through a video that expresses the author's point of view and interpretation.

Possible takes on the main theme can range from the narration of sporting activities (skiing, climbing, hiking - for example), to naturalistic-environmental themes, to facts and life stories of communities or mountain territories.

Everyone can take part in this competition.

14th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival-24, Delhi NCR, India

Celebrating Excellence in Cinema


The Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival is a not-to-profit, non-commercial & India’s only independent film festival, established in the year 2011 in Delhi NCR with a mission to celebrate the cinema & work of aspiring, young, independent & professional filmmakers. The festival is important for Indian film industry as it is organized on 30 April each year to mark the birth anniversary of Late.Shri. Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, who is regarded as the father of Indian Cinema & fondly remembered as Dada Saheb Phalke by the film fraternity across the India & globe. Its aim is to recognize the enlightening, entertaining & progressive new age cinema of youth & experienced filmmakers.

In past years festival gains reputation & regarded as among most prestigious festival in India. The festival grows over the years & attracts filmmakers from across the India & 90+ nations across the world. The festival has sections for feature films, short films, documentaries, animations, music videos & ad films. The festival awards the filmmakers in production, creative, music & performance categories.

14th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival-2024 aims to celebrate the excellence in cinema. Dada Saheb Phalke started the movement of cinema in India in real sense & he is the symbol of excellence. His contribution to Indian cinema is unparallel. Today Indian cinema is touching the sky in terms of both content & technology but it is worth mentioning that it was started by legendry Dada Saheb Phalke and we are just carrying it forward.

Founded by the Educationexpo TV, a leading entertainment research & branding company and managed by Miniboxoffice, Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival-24 provides chance to filmmakers to showcase their creativity. While the festival is open to filmmakers of all age, we feel that just as it is imperative that we should support and encourage participation by filmmaking community members & professional, it is also important that we find and cultivate the future members of the entertainment industry.

ZINEBI
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF DOCUMENTARY AND SHORT FILM OF BILBAO

It got started in the year 1.959 and organized by the Cultural Department of Bilbao City Hall, ZINEBI will celebrate its 66th edition from the 8th up to the 15th of November, 2024.

It is the only international Class A festival in Spain in the documentary and short film category recognised by FIAPF since 1974, recognised by the Hollywood Academy as a qualifier for the Oscars among the short films from the official palmares and qualifier as well by the Spanish Academy for the BAFTA Awards and the GOYA Awards.

ZINEBI is a festival which holds all the most current forms and formats, innovative and suggestive and that is making a steady bet for the emerging authors. The line-up of the international schedule (documentary, animation and fiction) and its section ZIFF-ZINEBI FIRST FILM, dedicated to first works, are their really distinguishing mark. Honour Mikeldis are also remarkable, which recognise the prestigious career of distinguising international directors and the strict selections of its sections BEAUTIFUL DOCS, dedicated to the most relevant contemporary features and BERTOKO BEGIRADAK, a section dedicated to the Basque documentary feature films from a recent production. Besides, every year it´s celebrated the profesional encounter entitled ZINEBI INDUSTRY- NETWORKING, dedicated to promote the audiovisual Basque industry.

The jury will be composed by Rosebud's subscribers. Then the jury will recieve selected movies by Rosebud's members in DVD media so they can vote for the Best Picture Award.

CINE NO VISTO
International low-budget independent film festival

PRESENTATION
Festival de Cine no Visto has the main objective of giving visibility to those independent and low or no budget productions which, for different reasons, don’t reach the major public and whose only option for a greater recognition is found in festivals.

The organization of the Festival de Cine no Visto is aware of the great effort that producers have to endure in order to carry out a project with very limited means. Technical aspects are for us just another element in the process, so the main reasons to be selected will not depend on the means used. We are much more interested in what is told and the symbolism in each shot.
We are undoubtedly going to consider all and each of the aspects: performance, editing, cinematography, music, screenplay, to sum up, everything necessary in the production of an audiovisual project.

CATEGORIES
⦁ Best feature film
⦁ Best Foreign short film
⦁ Best Andalusian short film
⦁ Best Spanish short film

*AWARDS
⦁ Best feature film (International and Andalusian)
⦁ Best short film (within each category)
⦁ Best actor (feature film)
⦁ Best director (feature film)
⦁ Best cinematographer (feature film)
⦁ Best film editing (feature film)
⦁ Best screenplay (feature film)
• Best sound
• Best music
⦁ Best film from Jaén (feature or short)

* If your film has been awarded but nobody from your team can attend to the awards ceremony, you won´t receive a physical prize.
** Some categories can be declared void if the jury considers that appropriate.

MACAU INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (“FESTIVAL”) is an annual worldwide audio-visual festival that aims to motivate overseas and Macau short film and music videos productions to compete in this FESTIVAL.

The Festival compromises two separate competitions:
- SHORTS International Short Film Competition
- VOLUME International Music Video Competition

“SHORTS” awards the best shorts-films in the three categories of Fiction, Documentary, and Animation. And “VOLUME” awards the best winning music video incorporating Macau original music. A list of Macau original songs is available on the Festival's WEBSITE for download purposely for VOLUME.

SHORTS is open for submission from 16 March to 16 June 2024, and VOLUME is open for submission from 16 March to 20 July 2024.

The Festival was previously known as "Sound & Image Challenge" and was first launched in 2010 focusing only on an audiovisual competition for local talent. This initiative was co-founded with professionals in film, music, sound and image fields, with two priorities: to promote the Creative Industries in the audiovisual sector and highlight the local talents in the production of sound and moving image design. Over the years, it expanded across 5 continents, grew and gained recognition, and finally became a short film festival in 2015.

The Festival will be held from 3 to 10 December 2024. A series of cultural programs will be scheduled in venues throughout Macau during the Festival week, such as public screenings of “SHORTS” official selection and “VOLUME” music videos official selection, Masterclasses of film production, development, International Film Festival curatorship and organising; audience voting for “Audience Choice”; as well as gala awards ceremony.