Blog: Film festivals

VRE - Virtual Reality Experience (VRE) is the international festival entirely dedicated to Immersive Technologies (VR, AR, MR) and their use and impact in the Arts, Cultural Heritage, Science and Medicine, Learning, Industry.

The fourth edition will be Oct 6-9, 2022 in Rome and welcomes VR/AR artworks and XR performing arts.

Settimo International Short Film Festival Seventh edition. Organized by Pro Loco Settimo Milanese with Association Semeion Teatro, Auditorium Settimo Milanese, in partnership with Fedic and under the patronage of the City of Settimo Milanese.

An evening dedicated to international short films of less than 15 minutes.

Short films can be based on any subject or concept.

The event will be held from 9 to 10 May 2025 at the Anna Marchesini film theater, via Grandi 12 Settimo Milanese.

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.

X CortoGijón Festival

The Gijón Short Film Festival arises
in 2015 as a parallel section within the
Aula 18 National Short Film Contest
in the delivery After the disappearance of
emblematic festival three of the programmers
decide to maintain their essence by transferring
the festival to Gijón. It is in the second edition
that of 2016, where the festival moves to the
municipal centers of the city to develop a festival with an eye on short films and music. Since then
to the competitive sections (Official Section,
Asturias Section) And to the sample sections
(Panorama Asturias and Mirada FICX) have been
there have been concerts that have given luster to the
cultural spaces of the city and that have
served to put the climax to each projection.

Names like Marilia, Pablo Und
Destruktion, Marem Ladson, Tiger and Diamond,
David Feito… confirm the high level
musical that lives the festival and its local and regional look.

In 2020 Laboral City of Culture joins
with a new screen inside CortoGijón
thus amplifying collaborations between
all cultural entities in the region started in 2017 with the Mirada Ficx section in
collaboration with the Gijón Film Festival.

Only for Iberoamerican Filmmakers.

O OUFF en Curto busca estimular o formato da curtametraxe no ámbito da Comunidade Autónoma galega como expresión básica da creación audiovisual. É a sección de curtametraxes do Festival de Cine Internacional de Ourense.

The Rabat-Comedy International Film Festival is among the biggest festivals in the world exclusively dedicated to comedy. The festival offers an opportunity for unique feature and short comedy films from around the globe, to compete and share their messages in front of a live comedy lovers audience and a prestigious international jury. In addition to the screenings, meetings with film the directors, actors and other professionals are also organized . The festival offers also special screenings, training sessions and masterclasses related to the art of comedy in cinema.


(En français)

Le Festival International du Film Rabat-Comedy est parmi les plus grands festivals au monde qui est exclusivement dédié à la comédie . Dans ce sens, le festival offre une opportunité unique pour des longs et des courts métrages de comédie, provenant du monde entier, d'être en compétition et de partager leurs messages devant une audience de cinéphiles amoureux de films de comédie et d'un jury international . En marge des projections de la sélection officielle, le festival organise des rencontres avec des réalisateurs, acteurs et autres professionnels. Le festival organise aussi des projections spéciales, des formations professionnelles et des master classes qui traitent de l'art de la comédie au cinéma.

Cinequest was voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers. Cinequest programs 85-90% of its festival from paid submissions annually, the highest percentage of the world's most influential film festivals.

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place." - Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) will occur both Live in San Jose / Silicon Valley and Globally via its proprietary Virtual platform. Cinequest has been a leader in building community, audiences, and opportunity for film and filmed media via groundbreaking tech and paradigms for decades and will continue the golden combination of live and online post pandemic.

Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) in San Jose / Silicon Valley: Set in the home of the world’s most influential media technology companies (Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, Occulus etc.) CQFF showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology—empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences. Last year Cinequest hosted the World or U.S. Premiere of 132 films from 55 countries including a robust showcases of Mexican, Central and South American, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese Cinema. CQFF has led the world in its showcase and implementation of the technologies that have revolutionized film making, exhibition and distribution. CQFF’s blend of the artist and innovator gains focus through its Maverick Awards. Its Maverick Spirit Awards recognizes artists (Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage, Elle Fanning, J.J. Abrams, Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bill Nighy, Ben Kingsley, Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee, James Franco, Neil Gaiman, and Sir Ian McKellen are among the guest recipients). Its Maverick Innovator Award recognizes technologists (including Martin Cooper, father of the cell phone, and Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple Inc.). A Maverick stands apart from the crowd willing to create and innovate from a place of personal yet global vision.

Cinequest connects artists, innovators, media, and audiences—as people converge to experience a potent mix of immersive stories from around the globe and breakthrough technologies. Yet, Cinequest’s stellar reputation not only hinges on its knack for creating a powerful line-up, but also for securing distribution for many of its honored filmmakers. Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, MSNBC Films, Oscilloscope, Sony Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Kino-Lorber, eOne, Lionsgate, PBS, and HBO are just a few of the many that have signed deals with some of Cinequest's success stories.

Also, as an Academy-qualifying festival for the short film categories, Cinequest is proud to honor the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation prizes with a shot at every filmmaker's dream...Oscar gold.

"This festival is one that sets the trends and is actually ahead of the trends. Other festivals are copying Cinequest; I see it all the time."-- Chris Gore (Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide)

Exhibiting unique social and artistic visions from around the globe, Cinequest’s dynamic festival engages audiences in thought-provoking dialogue, giving film artists and film lovers alike an opportunity to connect. Furthermore, Cinequest provides cutting edge technology and movie-making forums to empower professionals and students.

JUST A FEW OF THE BIG FILMS & VR WHICH HAVE BEEN A PART OF CINEQUEST’S PROGRAM:
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (dir. Terry Gilliam; starring Adam Driver, Jonathan Pryce)
Hotel Mumbai (dir. Anthony Mara; starring Armie Hammer, Dev Patel)
The Public (dir. Emilio Estevez; starring Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone)
Teen Spirit (dir. Max Minghella; starring Elle Fanning)
Beirut (dir. Brad Anderson; starring Rosamund Pike, Jon Hamm)
Borg/McEnroe (dir. Janus Metz; starring Shia LeBeouf)
Krystal (dir. William H Macy; starring Nick Robinson, Rosario Dawson)
Submergence (dir. Wim Wenders; starring James McAvoy)
What They Had (dir. Elizabeth Chomko; starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon)
The Humanity Bureau VR (starring Nicolas Cage)

JUST A FEW OF THE CINEQUEST WORLD AND U.S. PREMIERES WHICH HAVE RECEIVED DISTRIBUTION:
I Love You Both, dir. Doug Archibald (narrative, Magnolia Pictures)
East Side Sushi, dir. Anthony Lucero (narrative, Sony Pictures)
Midnight Clear, dir. Dallas Jenkins (narrative, Lionsgate)
Fixed, dir. Alonso Mayo (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Witch Hunt, dir. Don Hardy, Dana Nachman (documentary, MSNBC Films)
Mine 9, dir. Eddie Mensore (narrative, Raven Banner Entertainment)
Temps, dir. Ryan Sage (narrative, FilmBuff)
A Beginner’s Guide to Snuff, dir. Mitch Altieri (narrative, Indican Pictures)
Dear Zachary, dir. Kurt Kuenne (documentary, Oscilloscope Pictures)
Buddy Solitaire, dir. Kuang Lee (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Dependent’s Day, dir. Michael David Lynch (narrative, Freestyle Digital)
Lost Solace, dir. Chris Scheuerman (narrative, Raven Banner Entertainment)
Friends Effing Friends Effing Friends, dir. Quincy Rose (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Search Engines, dir. Russell Brown narrative, (Indican Pictures)
ToY, dir. Patrick Chapman (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Wake, dir. Ellie Kanner (narrative, E1 Entertainment)
Blood Car, dir. Alex Orr (narrative, TLA Releasing)
Love in the Time of Monsters (narrative, Indican Pictures)
The Skeptic, dir. Tennyson Bardwell (narrative, IFC Films)
On the Doll, dir. Thomas Mignone (narrative, Peace Arch)
El Camino, dir. Erik Weigel (narrative, Lifesize Entertainment)
Family Inc, dir. Emily Ting (documentary, Seventh Art Releasing)
Monster Camp, dir. Cullen Hoback (documentary, Lifesize Entertainment)
Critical Condition, dir. Roger Weisberg (documentary, PBS)
The Nature of Existence, dir. Roger Nygard (documentary, Walking Shadows)
The Brainwashing of My Dad, dir. Jen Senko (documentary, Gravitas Ventures)
God Knows Where I Am, dir. Jed Wider, Todd Wider (documentary, BOND360)
Bel Borba Aqui, dirs. Burt Sun, Andre Costantini (documentary, Oscilloscope)

We love popcorn's while watching movies? Don't we?

You love hot coffee during your date with a movie? Isn't it?

You allow that cigarette to kiss your lips when you watch movies? Don't you?

Your partner holds you tight during a horror movie? Does she?

If your answers are YES to all of the above, then you should be part of the India's biggest Film Festival, The Royal Film Festival.

The Festival is being organized by Am virgin and with support from Indian Film Industry and film makers from around the world.

The purpose of this film festival is to promote newer and experienced movie makers, exchange of knowledge, information, ideas & culture between India & other nations in context of their social and cultural ethos. Royal Film festival also promotes friendship and co-operation among people of the world through the medium of films & documentaries. Royal Film festival intends to organize a festival that connects the film fans & movies goers with the world, especially the serious filmmaker & their associates so as to bring about greater understanding of the art of film making.

This spectacular film festival will be held in the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, India. You are welcome to watch movies in halls and as well as through our App- “Am Virgin”. Blocks your dates right Now!!!

Algeciras Fantástika is a multidisciplinary cultural event specialized in matters of fantastic nature, suspense, terror and science fiction, organized by Algeciras City Council and the University of Cadiz.

The International “Festival International du Film Panafricain” (FIFP) in Cannes is a platform that exhibits cinema and its professions, arts and entrepreneurship, as well as innovation, culture and events.

The FIFP was created and founded by Mr. Eitel Basile NGANGUE EBELLE and the “Association Nord Sud Développement, agréée jeunesse et Education Populaire Ministère de la santé, de la jeunesse et des sports n° 06514”.

As a driving force behind the PanAfrican Cinema and Arts industry, the Festival is constantly seeking specific solutions for the development of PanAfrican Cinema and Arts.
With a booming Pan-African market (from Africa to the Americas through the Caribbean, Europe and Asia), the Festival benefits from expertise in the development of cinema and Fashion as well as the development of cultural affairs.

Since its creation in 2006, the DIKALO AWARDS (meaning « message » in the Cameroonian language Douala) has been awarded by a professional jury for the best short and feature films (fiction), the best long and short documentaries, the Dikalos Peace Award, as well as the best actor and actress awards.

The FIFP is a felt moment. It is a unique experience where PanAfrican cinema and African cultures and those of its diaspora around the world are the central focus. An exceptional energy is felt.

Since 2018, the FIFP in Cannes has included along with its projections, a market: the Entrepreneurship Salon for Culture and Well-Being. The objective is to enhance the economy of PanAfrican cinema.

A few years from now, the market which features pan-African arts will generate considerable sums. « Tomorrow is now ». This enormous potential must be brought forward into the light.

Such an “active dream” is an ideal that has made Africans and their diaspora what it is today. This was Mandela’s and Obama’s vehicle, as well as many others…

Pan-Africanism is an aggregate of universalism. It contains all of the lights, those of ancient Egypt and those of the future. In short, a constant beauty.

Cachaça Filmes has held the festival since 2009. It always brings in nationally renowned filmmakers and artists from the area, aiming to offer culture and leisure options, and to favor the region's economy. In the short term we intend to bring an “elite” audience to Vila de Paranapiacaba, and in the medium and long term to bring cinematographic productions to the region.

We also have the Short and Feature Films Contest.

Regulation:
https://www.cachacafilmes.com/regulamento-concurso-de-roteiros

Mostra La Ploma is a cinema and culture festival organized by Lambda (LGBT+ association).

Fantasy & horror film festival “FANTFEST” , has been organized for the first time in October 2013 under the name of HRIZANTEMA. The festival takes the place among the small, independent festivals of explicit genres. The horror and fantasy film genre has survived the countless transformations from the very beginnings of cinema. Artists, film - makers, professionals and enthusiast, through the time, have positioned the genres of horror and fantasy and sealed its status among the other genres. Since 2021. festival changed the name to FANTFEST.

IFF ZOOM - ZBLIZENIA (Jelenia Góra) is one of the largest and most important independent cinema festivals in Poland. Its aim is to present the author's cinema, ambitious, high artistic value, moving independent and original subject matter, as well as promotion of independent film art.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, we would like to inform you that the Russian films which will be submitted to the 28. IFF ZOOM-ZBLIŻENIA 2025 will not be eligible for competitions.

SUNNY SIDE UP FILM FESTIVAL is an international film festival. Join us March 24th, 25th & 26th 2023 for a family fun weekend, and experience a film festival competition held in the beautiful iconic Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma! Located on Route 66 and nestled in the four state area of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri & Oklahoma! The Coleman Theatre is a beacon for tourists from around the world!

Sunny Side Up Film Festival is a competitive event for filmmakers, screenwriters, songwriters, musicians, photographers, artists, painters, costume/wardrobe designers, authors, writers, poets. Our hope is to inspire and encourage them all to continue courageous and bold artistic visions.

Friday March 24th 2023: 1:00pm to 10:00pm - Independent films will screen at "The Coleman Theatre", 103 N Main St, Miami, OK. Various Filmmaker Q&A's.

Saturday March 25th 2023: 10:00am to 10:00pm - Independent films will screen at "The Coleman Theatre", 103 N Main St, Miami, OK. Various Filmmaker Q&A's.

Sunday March 26th 2023: 10:00am to 8:00pm - Independent films will screen at "The Coleman Theatre"...and ending with the festival's award show, 103 N Main St, Miami, OK. Various Filmmaker Q&A's.

Chittagong SHORT was founded to make a platform for the young filmmakers and film learners. To inspire the young, it has started a film festival since 2016. This festival #CSFFBD is designed with film screening and contest, master class, workshop and seminar. For the young filmmakers it’s a great opportunity to show their creativity and extra ordinary thought.

ONLY FOR LATIN AMERICAN FILMMAKERS.

Traditionally, Queens World includes a well-attended multi-day annual film festival, year-round screening opportunities for QWFF alumni, special events to bring the Indie film community together and an educational initiative for youth and seniors. Just like everyone else, we are keeping it fluid and responding to the needs of the Indie Film community.

The 10th Annual Fest was scheduled to March 19 - 29, 2020 at the Museum of Moving Image and the Zukor Theater at Kaufman-Astoria Studios. When we were closed on March 16, we changed course and opened on time - online - with 191 films from 32 nations which garnered over 30,000 views.

After the festival Queens World poduced Wednesday Nights @9, 19 live weekly broadcasts that identified individuals and organizations as our 'Hero of the Week'. In their honor, we curated a block of films by filmmakers working in similar themes which ran from Sunday to Sunday on Vimeo. On Wednesday nights we gathered the Heroes and the Filmmakers of the Week to discuss their work. We ran for 19 weeks and gathered over 19,000 views.

In preparation for Q11, we are working with our venues and our partners to maximize all available resources for the festival. We will use our signature thematic programming, grouping films together to create specific cinematic experiences and each screening event will be accompanied by Filmmaker Q&As. Our plans for June 2021 include both a virtual and a live event with some very exciting global elements that we will share with you at a later date.

While this is a tough time on our planet, now is not the time to stop communicating, to stop looking for what will heal us, or to stop gathering. Queens World remains focused on ideas, stories with heart, films with a point of view and artists who challenge..

This year we are concentrating on HOPE as our theme.
H - Healing
O - Opportunities
P - Promote
E – Equity

We are interested in films that examine, explore, defy, contradict and support our theme. The very act of making and completing a film is hopeful.

Show us what you believe in.
Bring your craft and let's see what you got.
Bring it.

Hello there,

Coronavirus and the Covid-19 disease changed the world in so many different ways. For the last two years — 2021 and 2022 — we had our festival online, which was a new experience for us. It all went well, and instead of a small audience at one venue, we had the audience around the world! That was one big benefit, but we missed having people together, and talk about the films and make new friends.

Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, we are still unsure of holding the 18th edition of the Free Spirit Film Festival (2022) at certain venue like in the past. If gathering still remains as an issue, we will host it online again.

If the pandemic situation changes, and we could hold the festival at certain venue, we will announce when and where once we have those finalised. Submissions will be opened in June.

Be safe!

Sincerely yours,

Lobsang Wangyal
Festival Director