Blog: Film festivals

Bullies and Heroes which is characterized by the phrase: Ubuntu I am because we are (Nelson Mandela), was born after 50 years of experiences, studies and research, both in the cinematographic and artistic fields and in the pedagogical and psychological ones. It is located on the border between health and culture with the certainty that "the soul needs beauty and that beauty is nourishment for the soul" and allows us to best express all the creative potential of the human being. It is therefore important, as argued by Peppino Impastato, who has always rejected the idea of ​​becoming accustomed to "ugliness", to educate children to "beauty": "...It is for this reason that people should be educated to beauty: because in men and women, let habit and resignation no longer creep in but curiosity and amazement always remain alive." The Festival that subsequently became laid its foundations on these important foundations with the Competition: Places of the Soul and Geographical Places. Draw, Photograph, Film beauty in just a few minutes with your smartphone (for the little ones and with more sophisticated means for the older ones). Every year the term beauty has been declined in a different meaning (beauty of fragility, beauty of uniqueness, beauty of diversity, beauty of creativity...) The beauty of places has always been a bridge to access one's interiority and stimulate curiosity, amazement and wonder. The Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore has demonstrated how the basis of creativity, in children but also in adults, is precisely "emotional wonder", a fundamental emotion that must never be lost in order to always feel ready to explore previously unexplored paths, solutions never taken and original paths. In our society we risk having good technicians but an ever smaller number of creatives, which is why our aim, right from the start, has always been to use artistic tools, in particular cinema, to refine the most important and powerful ability of the human being: that of thinking in images or imagination, gathering stimuli from what surrounds us to grow, acquire awareness and learn about the audiovisual medium. Created with the active participation of children for children and with children, the Festival intends to enhance the potential and talent of children by offering them the opportunity to acquire both critical and creative skills with two different methods of participation. There are two sections: The first features feature films which are judged by a jury of young people from all over the world who, in this way, have the opportunity to become critics. The second of short films, video clips, videoboards, storyboards, screenplays, video art, theatre.dance, where the children have the opportunity to become directors, actors, screenwriters, to also experience all the professionalisms linked to the world of cinema. For the second section, the festival also offers spaces to young directors and international directors who deal with issues related to: family relationships, diversity, respect for the environment and others, relationships between peers, memories and identities of places with particular reference to the stories of territories. The festival does not limit itself to presenting and rewarding videos made by schools or directors, but organizes round tables with experts, workshops, conferences, in order to encourage children to have an interactive exchange of experiences and ideas with directors and actors and with even. The conferences dedicated to the ecology of the mind, ecology of the environment and ecology of and in cinema saw the participation of international universities with professors recognized in Italy and around the world. The Festival deserves special attention because it represents a unique multi-sensory experience that allows you to learn about habits, customs, foods, stories, peoples and tell them through artistic means, in particular the audiovisual medium.
Alongside directors, actors, musicians, screenwriters and photographers, there are sports testimonials through which the concepts of respect, rigor and passion are strengthened. They have been our testimonials over the years: Daniele Masala Olympic Champion, Klaus Dibiasi Olympic Champion, Alessandro Peterlini National Azzurri Champion, Luciana Foianesi World Arm Wrestling Champion, native of Val di Chiana, Chiara Bazzoni Champion Gold Medal at the Mediterranean Games. Among the Paralympic athletes we have had great International Champions, Matteo Betti, Giada Canino, If you help me, I'll dance too. We also collaborate with ODV Associations and NGOs that support children in war and create The Day of Wonder. For the 2025 Competition we are collaborating with the Collodi Foundation so that all the themes of the Competition can be facilitated and understood in a more exhaustive and innovative way through the story of the most famous puppet in the world: Pinocchio. A classic that international directors have revisited with innovative languages ​​and which also offers children, schools and young directors the possibility of tackling universal themes in an increasingly creative and innovative way. Jury presidents over the years have been: Mariano Rigillo Anna Teresa Rossini, Donatella Baglivo who for 2025 is joined by Pierfrancesco Bernacchi President of the Collodi Foundation. Our great collaborators are Maestro Vince Tempera and Maestro Giancarlo Amorelli, who support all of the film music.

A synergy has been created with the Municipality of Benevento starting from the Dante tradition which cites Sannio in the song dedicated to Manfredi.

Tradition and innovation are always our cornerstones. Other cities and other regions have joined us: Caserta, the San Leucio Art School, Veneto, Tuscany, Campania, etc.

10th EUREKA UNIVERSITY FILM FESTIVAL 2025

The conditions described below correspond to the requirements proposed by EUREKA University Film Festival and its programming team. The registration and selection of audiovisual pieces sent by those students and filmmakers who would like to be part of the official programming depend on these requirements, bases and conditions.

EUREKA University Film Festival is an event initially organized by students from the University Jorge Tadeo Lozano of Bogota and students from different universities in Colombia. The festival will take place from October 14 to 18, 2025 in the city of Bogotá D.C., Colombia.

The call for entries will be open from April 10th until June 03rd, 2025. The only platform we will enable to receive the audiovisual material will be :

https://festhome.com/festival/eureka-festival-universitario-de-cine

We will not receive short films through other channels unless the platform may present an inconvenience around your application, in this case you can send us the materials of your short film to the following email:

programación.eureka@gmail.com

The materials to be sent in those cases are:

-Two (2) copies of the short film
· One (1) in códec ProRes 422, contained as .MOV o .MP4 with a minimum resolution of Full HD 1920x1080px.
· One (1) in códec H264, contained as .MOV o .MP4 with a minimum resolution of full HD 1920x1080px.

-Subtitles in Spanish and English in a .srt file.

-Synopsis.

-PDF file with the Technical Sheet.

-Signed Exhibit Rights (Link to rights: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VxkuXB9We-LX0yikxMDR0pnV7WKFz7j9?usp=sharing )

-Trailer (if available).

-Official Poster.

-3 Stills.

-Director and Producer’s picture.

-PDF file with Profiles for both Director and Producer.

-Instagram account of Director, Producer or Short Film Distributor.

-Video of the Director or Producer inviting the public to come to the EUREKA festival and see his/her film.

You can attach these materials through the platform of your preference, for example: WeTransfer, MyAirBridge, Filemail, etc.

Additionally, the programming team may request short films that they consider should be part of the call by means of the official mail and the festival reserves the power to make direct invitations to outstanding works.

SANTA BARBARA INDIE FILM FESTIVAL

A Festival to celebrate the art of Independent & Youth (18 and under) filmmakers.

Join us for our 3rd edition in sunny Santa Barbara, CA! We’ve expanded our categories to spotlight more short film genres and local area talent, while staying true to our mission: amplifying stories from Indie filmmakers of all ages.

WHY SUBMIT?
IMDb-Listed Festival → Winners can add their official selection/award to IMDb.
Dedicated Youth Category → Filmmakers 18 & under showing their work to the world!
Local Filmmaker Focus → New categories for Santa Barbara area filmmakers.
Great Networking → Connect with others at our filmmaker after-parties.
Scenic Screening Venues → Films showcased in Santa Barbara’s historic Alhecama theater. An intimate and hidden gem.

The Malaga Festival, in collaboration with the Equal Opportunities Area of ​​the Malaga City Council, pursues the objective of supporting the presence of women in film production, creating spaces that make visible the work of women in the audiovisual field, professional field where they are underrepresented, both in the direction, in the production or in the writing of scripts; favoring the film industry with the diverse views of women.

In order to fulfill this objective, the Equal Opportunities Area will hold its “XXII FILM SHOW WOMEN ON STAGE”, between the months of October and November 2024.

THE WOMEN ON STAGE FILM EXHIBITION was created in 2002 with the aim of debating, through the holding of cineforums, the existing gender inequalities in our society as well as in other nearby ones, reflecting on their causes and possible social strategies to eradicate them.

Since 2010, this objective of raising awareness and visibility has been added to supporting the presence of women in film production, an area in which there is a large gender gap, taking advantage of the fact that every day there are more women interested in developing their professional careers. In this field, therefore, one of the purposes of the OFFICIAL WOMEN ON STAGE SECTION is the visibility of audiovisual productions made by women, and it is achieved by dedicating the evening sessions to the exclusive projection of works directed, produced or scripted by women .

African Film Week (AFW) is a vibrant celebration of African storytelling, showcasing a diverse range of films that highlight the creativity, culture, and voices from across the continent. From thought-provoking documentaries to groundbreaking fiction, AFW is a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to share their work with a global audience.

This year’s edition will feature curated screenings, industry conversations, networking opportunities, and a special Cultural Exchange Evening, promoting international collaboration. Whether you’re a filmmaker, film lover, or industry professional, AFW promises an unforgettable experience that honors the power of African cinema.

The International Filmmaker Festival of New York is a global industry event held annually in the world’s most iconic center of arts, New York City. Each year, the IFFNY festival brings to New York world premieres of films from around the globe, and gives the American audience unique opportunities to discover international cinema.

The mission of IFFNY Festival is to promote and aid the development of the international cinema and film authors. Our goal is to act as the main meeting point where international cinema converges in a spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange through the presentation of the finest and most recent achievements in world cinema.

Each year IFFNY presents Red Carpet screenings of feature, short films, documentary, animation & music videos , followed by Q&A, workshops, reception with artists and organizers, VIP afterparty and Award Night Gala.

The International Filmmaker Festival of New York is one of the leading platforms of international cinema, dedicated to artists who embody diversity, innovation and creativity.

Kinopositive is a long-term project that creates a system for identifying and supporting young talents in the field of cinema and music, united by a common positive ideology. The main difference from other festivals is the involvement of film and music industry leaders in major film projects and collaborations. For example - the creation of a rare film product - a musical.

Welcome to LuminaFlicks International Short Film Fest, a unique short film event where the light of creativity meets inspiration.

Join us at Kinema Millennium, located on Murat Toptani Street, Tirana, Albania - a picturesque location where the magic of LuminaFlicks will unfold.

About Us:

LuminaFlicks is a new international festival striving to be a beacon for talented filmmakers from around the world. Our goal is not just to organize events, but to create a unique platform for inspiration, creative exchange and discovery in the exciting world of short film

We are proud to offer filmmakers the opportunity to meet and work together, encouraging the exchange of ideas and supporting experimentation in filmmaking. LuminaFlicks is more than just a festival, it is a community of like-minded filmmakers where each member contributes to the enrichment of short film culture.

We believe in creative freedom and diversity of expression, and hence create a platform where every filmmaker can unleash their potential and share their unique story. LuminaFlicks is not just a festival, it is a luminary that illuminates talent and inspires new creative heights

Join us to be part of this exciting journey in the world of short film, where the light of creativity merges with the international spirit of art. LuminaFlicks is more than just an event; it's a platform for the birth of stories, conversations and new ideas. Welcome to our luminous community of filmmakers where every frame is a source of inspiration and exciting discoveries

What sets us apart:

We value every moment in the world of short films, striving to support a diversity of creative voices. LuminaFlicks invites you on a journey where every frame is a chance to discover something new and unique

What to expect from participants:

- Supporting Talent: We invite filmmakers from around the world to join us in creating a celebration of short film

- International Community: LuminaFlicks brings together creative people committed to sharing their vision of the world through short film

- Platform For Discovery: Our festival is an opportunity to make a name for yourself, regardless of experience, giving new talent a chance

Join LuminaFlicks International Short Film Fest and discover the world of short filmmaking with us!

Welcome to Season Three! FOLKESTONE FILM FESTIVAL is an IMDb QUALIFYING FESTIVAL. We hold frequent screenings and accept submissions from around the world and you are welcome to be as experimental as you wish. We champion independent filmmakers with original ideas and good production values. Subtitles are encouraged but not compulsory. Our panel of filmmakers and vocational artists will endeavour to provide selected films with custom laurels and bespoke artworks.

IMDb link:
https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0073770/overview/?ref_=login


YouTube Channel:
https://youtube.com/@folkestonefilmfestival?si=D-ntZzi7Li9k0hEF

We look forward to celebrating your work!

We are an ongoing festival which holds regular indoor/outdoor screenings. We will notify all successful submissions via email and on our social media. Awards events are scheduled annually and you are invited to celebrate with us. Winners will receive custom laurels and bespoke artworks. Trophies are available at live events, we can send in the mail within the UK if you cover all costs involved.

Thanks to our sponsors 'A. Simmons, the Jewellers of the South East', and our Festival Partners BritFlicks & Kent Kino.

At the First Day First Show Film Festival, we are united by the magic of cinema, where stories unfold and new worlds begin. It foster the understanding and appreciation of global cinema and offer a stage for independent and emerging filmmakers. It also create opportunities for audiences to experience unique, thought-provoking, & entertaining films and Serve as a networking hub for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and critics.

Come discover the DENYS FILM FESTIVAL, a new annual event that celebrates the creativity and originality of young talents in international cinema. This first edition will be held in October 2025 in Saint-Ouen and will bring together filmmakers, actors, and film buffs for a unique moment of sharing, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Our festival is dedicated to short fiction films that go off the beaten track, and we make it a point of honor to promote the works of independent directors with unique universes. Our goal is to provide a stage for tomorrow's talents, allowing audiences to discover cutting-edge films that explore deep and captivating themes.

International Film Festival.

Saturnalia Fest, the last international film festival of the year, will take place on December 27th and will feature Uruguayan, Paraguayan, Venezuelan, Colombian, Chilean, and Argentine productions. One or two local productions (short films and feature films) will also be screened daily, directed by and starring Paraná residents.

Screenings will begin at 9:00 PM in a climate-controlled theater. There will also be a cafeteria service, and a specialized collectors' fair will be held daily, where the public can purchase records, comics, and toys from Marvel, DC, and Star Wars.

The Greater Santander International Film Festival (FICGS) is a space that unites filmmakers, artists, and film lovers through a platform for exhibition, discussion, scholarship, and cultural exchange in the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander. Our mission is to strengthen the Colombian and regional audiovisual industry by promoting and showcasing the talent of young filmmakers from Santander and Colombia.

Objective:

We seek to promote film culture and film production from various discussion forums, inviting constructive and creative dialogue among Santander society, its ecosystem and artistic universe, its schools, universities, foundations, private companies, public institutions, etc. It will also be a critical space for the Colombian audiovisual industry, encouraging the creation and exhibition of national and international film projects.

Specific Objectives:

• Promote the development of new talent in the audiovisual sector in Santander.

• Provide access to cinema for vulnerable communities and educational sectors.

•Promote local film production through calls for proposals and workshops.

•Create exhibition and dissemination spaces for national and international audiovisual projects.

•Promote social inclusion through film, including the participation of incarcerated individuals.

•Strengthen the regional film industry through strategic alliances and academic activities.

Expected Impact:

• Strengthening of film culture and film production in the region.

• Inclusion of vulnerable populations in the audiovisual process.

• Generation of new talent in the film industry.

• Connection between different actors in the film industry.

Cinema Father International Film Festival is a competitive festival of Feature, Shorts, Doc, Music Videos & Animation produced by worldwide professionals. The festival was established by Education Expo TV & managed by Miniboxoffice in order to salute the great contribution of earlier filmmakers who has developed the cinema and considered as cinema fathers like Lumière brothers', Thomas Edison, Lev Kuleshov, Sergei Eisenstein, Dadasaheb Phalke, Vsevolod Pudovkin, William Kennedy Dickson, DW Griffth, George Melies, Edwin S Porter and many others great visionaries of cinema. The festival is celebrating the achievement taking place in cinema & honoring the innovativeness, effectiveness, creativity & new ideas globally.


The objective behind the festival is to recognize the best talent and setting new milestone in the most amazing indie cinema industry. The CFIFF is an Thailand's first independent films festival providing platform to showcases the work of aspirant, young & experience professionals globally. CFIFF is also providing platform for professional networking, sharing of ideas & knowledge. The CFIFF awards honor the groundbreaking films and talent. We extend warm invitation to participate in 2025 edition and hope it turns milestone in your film career.

Unlike other festivals that charge separately for each award category, the New York Film Screening Festival (NYFSF) lets you compete in 33 award categories with just one submission fee.

NYFSF is a quarterly international festival designed to give filmmakers maximum exposure and opportunity. We host four online screenings per year and one in-person screening annually in New York City, giving your work the chance to be seen both globally and on the big screen.

Every selected film is introduced on our official social media platforms to help you reach a wider audience and build visibility, no matter where you're based.

Quarterly winners will also be automatically considered for the in-person screening event.

We accept films and animations of all genres and lengths. Whether you're a student, emerging artist, or independent creator, NYFSF is here to help your work get seen and open doors to new opportunities.

Quarterly Deadlines:

First Quarter: June 30, 2025

Second Quarter: September 30, 2025

Third Quarter: December 31, 2025

Fourth Quarter: March 31, 2026

Submit today and bring your film closer to its next big opportunity!

We want to position Miscellaneous GLBT International Film Festival of Panama, as the best choice for film screenings with issues related to sexual diversity.

The Fine Shortfilm Festival is a non-competitive shortfilm event, hosted in São Paulo, addressed to the works of the new generations of Brazilian filmmakers.

Festival Start: October 31, 2025

The 4th edition of the PIFF HORROR Festival will take place in the city of Paraná on October 31, 2025.

The Paraná Festival headquarters is located at the following address: Asociación Civil B. Pedro Lemebel, 1754 Santos Vega Street, premises 9, 10, and 11, Galería Comercial “El Sol.” Its official PIFF Fanpage: Link: https://www.facebook.com/pifffestival/ Paraná (Facebook) offers detailed information and indicates how to contact the Festival and its various departments.

HORROR PIFF is partly the PARANA INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL, which is equally integrated by the Transmedia Argentina Group and the CICVE (Center for Research in Experimental Film and Video Art), both part of the "Pedro Lemebel Library" Civil Association. The Paraná Festival is organized by its director, Esteban Amatti.

The Paraná Festival is recognized by the "International Center for Experimental Film and Video Art" in the "competitive film festivals" category.

The Paraná Festival aims to make a positive contribution to the development of culture and the film industry.

All films presented at the 4th edition of HORROR PIFF will be chosen by its selection committee, headed by the Festival management and advised by a network of international delegates, composed of professionals, specialists in the world of cinema and film festivals. This committee will be called the "International Film Classification Committee."

All films selected for the 4th edition will receive a certificate of participation from the Paraná Festival management.

Greek mythology Gelos is the divine personification of laughter, the most welcome of the gods, always owes its success to some novel subterfuge. This deity favourably and affectionately accompany everywhere the person who arouses and enacts his laughter, and he will never allow you to grieve in mind, but will implant continual joy on your countenance with his sunny elegance.

We hope you will join us in a days full of fun and endless laughs! We will highlight comedy short and feature films, web series, TV episodic, filmed sketch comedy, Dark Comedy, music video and animation with the goal of screening the best comedic content from around the world for a wide audience! Our dual emphasis is on “discovering” great comedic talent with the purpose of promoting it to both the entertainment industry and the Moscow public, as well as, showcasing the works of seasoned professionals and well-known stars. We are proud to showcase, connect and promote talented comedy filmmakers from all over the world.