Blog: Film festivals

The Valsusa Filmfest celebrates its thirtieth anniversary and has published on its website, www.valsusafilmfest.it
, the call for entries for its 30th edition, scheduled to take place between March and April 2026 in several municipalities of the Susa Valley.

This milestone marks an important achievement for a festival that, since 1997, has become a point of reference for the local community and for many filmmakers who, through cinema, have explored themes of memory, territory, rights, the environment, and social change. Thirty years of the festival represent a cultural and civic journey that has engaged generations of students, volunteers, artists, and audiences. A journey that continues today with the same founding spirit: promoting culture, fostering critical thinking, building aware communities, and reflecting on the social and political changes of our time.

Once again, the heart of the Valsusa Filmfest is its film competition, open to emerging and established filmmakers and divided this year into six sections: Cortometraggi, Disertare, Fare Memoria, Le Alpi, Videoclip Musicali, Green Screen.
The new section of this edition is Disertare, developed in collaboration with the Civilian Victims of War Association – Piedmont and Aosta Valley section, and dedicated to works that tell stories, experiences, and testimonies of nonviolence, rejection of war, antimilitarism, and civil disobedience, with particular attention to the contemporary issue of military spending and new forms of war propaganda. This section closely reflects the festival’s dedication to Fabrizio De André and its strong civic identity.

Alongside this new section, the competition includes the following categories: Cortometraggi, a free-theme section welcoming fiction films with a maximum duration of ten minutes; Fare Memoria, organized in collaboration with ANPI Valle di Susa, which invites works focused on the Italian Resistance or on contemporary interpretations of its values; Le Alpi, dedicated to exploring the mountain as a place of identity, community, environment, and adventure, with films up to thirty minutes in length; Videoclip Musicali, aimed at promoting visual and musical originality; and Green Screen, developed in collaboration with IISS Des Ambrois of Oulx, giving voice to works focused on environmental sustainability and the climate challenges affecting both the present and the future of our planet.

The full regulations, technical requirements, and details on awards are available on the website www.valsusafilmfest.it
.

To participate, filmmakers must register on the dedicated platform https://concorsi.valsusafilmfest.it
, where submissions can be uploaded until 11:59 pm on February 1, 2026.

DATES AND THEME OF THE EDITION DEDICATED TO FABRIZIO DE ANDRÉ

The 30th Valsusa Filmfest will take place between March and April 2026 in numerous municipalities of the Susa Valley, featuring screenings, cultural and artistic events that involve schools, associations, and many individuals, thanks to a network of relationships that over time has made the festival a permanent laboratory of active citizenship and critical reflection.

The 30th edition is dedicated to Fabrizio De André, the “bard and poet of the marginalized,” an artist who gave voice to injustice, marginalized communities, and the fragile beauty of nature. This dedication renews the festival’s connection to its original identity, born thirty years ago from the desire to create a space for culture, participation, and collective memory.

In 1997, Armando Ceste – a Turin-based director and visual artist, one of the founders and the first artistic director of the Valsusa Filmfest, who passed away in 2009 – designed what is still the festival’s logo today: a symbol inspired by Native American imagery (Unkathae), half North American indigenous deity and half strip of film. Ceste also created the image for the first festival poster, depicting a Native American on horseback seen from behind, evoking the beginning of a long journey often undertaken in a “stubborn and contrary direction.”

Drawing on this visual intuition, the Valsusa Filmfest now renews its journey toward the future through the figure of the legendary “Faber” and the image from the cover of one of his albums, Fabrizio De André (1981), commonly known as L’Indiano, which features an image taken from the painting The Outlier (1909) by Frederic Remington. In this image, the Native American on horseback is portrayed frontally: a proud figure moving toward us, evoking a people who resist, a memory that returns, and a path that continues—just like the journey of the festival throughout its long history and into this new edition.

Founded in 1973, Curtas Festival do Imaxinario is the oldest festival and the largest event dedicated to fantasy, science fiction and horror cinema in Galicia. Located in Vilagarcía de Arousa, the festival is a must-see for enjoying the premieres of the best genre feature and short films, as well as a wide range of parallel activities that include exhibitions, meetings, presentations, workshops, concerts, international guests, and much more. All artistic expressions of the fantasy genre converge in the International Fantastic Film Festival of Galicia. Recognized as one of the best genre festivals on Earth by Dread Central, the world’s leading horror media outlet with millions of monthly readers. And proud member of the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF) presents the Melies d'Argent award for best European Fantastic short film.

Call for Entries: Salento International Film Festival 2026

Welcome Filmmakers!

Are you ready to showcase your masterpiece to an enthusiastic crowd of cinephiles in the picturesque Salento, Italy? The Salento International Film Festival is thrilled to announce our 2026 Call for Entries! We're inviting filmmakers from all corners of the globe to join us in celebrating cinema not only as an art form but as a catalyst for social change and dialogue.

Why Submit Your Film?

Global Stage: Your film will be featured in one of Italy's most passionate film-loving regions, giving it international exposure.

Diversity and Innovation: We celebrate a wide spectrum of cinematic works, from groundbreaking indie films to thought-provoking documentaries. Whatever genre or style, your film has a place here.

Social Impact: We are dedicated to films that do more than entertain; they provoke, challenge, and inspire. Be part of a movement that uses cinema as a mirror and a hammer, reflecting society and shaping it for the better.

Experience Salento:

Embrace the opportunity to connect with like-minded creators and enthusiasts in an environment that breathes life into every story told through the lens.

The festival is not just a competition; it's a vibrant community event.


Submission Guidelines:

Open Now through Festhome

Categories: Feature Films, Shorts, Documentaries, and more

Early Bird and Regular Submission deadlines apply

Join Us:

Be a part of a festival that recognizes the power of
film and its ability to unite cultures, spark conversation, and drive change. Submit your film today and mark your calendar for an unforgettable cinematic journey in the heart of Italy!

The London International Student Film Festival screenings in London will provide exposure and publicity for new filmmakers.

There will also be professional networking and learning opportunities.

The winners will be announced during the festival.

The festival was started in 2016 and first screened at London Southbank University.

The 2026 screenings are in early April and we intend them to be in-person 'live' screenings. See our exciting programme at www.londonisfilmfestival.com under the programme tag.

Around International Film Festival // Berlin Official Awards ✈

Monthly Selection with Annual Independent event for all Feature & Short Films, Documentaries, Experimental, Commercial, Music Videos, Animations, Student Films, Series, TV, New Media and AI works. Every month, the international community awards the creations to serve ARFF International Official Laurel and evaluates in advance all to participate in the annual Award Ceremony.

The Around International Film Festivals have numerous network & board members from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and associated platforms mentioned at the end of the listing page. All the ARFF International Editions are the Official IMDb Award Listing Qualifiers. Monthly Selections may share their nominees on IMDb.

It's also possible to submit additionally on the other editions of ARFF to have more chances in the yearly competition:

https://festhome.com/festival/arff-amsterdam
https://festhome.com/festival/arff-paris
https://festhome.com/festival/arff-berlin-3

Feel free to check our Vimeo channel, which gets 5K-10K views per month. https://vimeo.com/aroundfilms

Regarding the Unification Program, WSXA & ARFF International change the country of the Award Events each year to enhance the festival experience. It's the responsibility of each filmmaker to check all the emails via Festhome associated email addresses, social media updates and ticket information carefully. After Corona times, ARFF & WSXA International Editions are curated as Hybrid Festivals. Award Events are focused on networking and all the screenings are scheduled online.

All 4 Edition Finalist filmmakers & network members will be gathered in November 2024 // Amsterdam. The festival do not take the responsibility of the filmmakers who attend physical venues with online tickets, mistaken visa applications, flight and accommodations.

Submitters may expect that ARFF & WSXA International editions are lift off film festivals which are opening the doors for the major film festivals. Many of the alumni filmmakers have been awarded by Around Film Festivals, achieved to be associated with the pioneers such as: Cannes Film Festival, Sundance, Toronto FF, Venice FF, Berlinale, Tribeca, SXSW, New York FF, BFI London, Slamdance, LA Shorts, Raindance.

In years. We are delighted to connect with our global colleagues through our international team and jury members, who span Europe, United States (North and South America), Asia, and Australia who are recognized by GOYA, Academy Awards (Oscars), European Film Academy, Golden Globe & BAFTA with Fest Regards.

The Hollywood Academy supports Huesca International Film Festival by recognizing it as shortlisting for the Oscar Awards within Best Short Fiction Film category, also the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes it for the Goya Awards.

http://www.oscars.org/sites/default/files/88aa_shorts_festival_list.pdf

The Rani Durgavati International Film Festival is designed to celebrate Cinema.

RDIFF is committed to Showcase films from amazing filmmakers across the globe. The festival welcomes films from around the world.

RDIFF is a Jabalpur, India based international film festival with screenings and Q&A and a twice-yearly awards event. One event is totally dedicated to Short Films and other event is for Full Length Films. There will be two events every year.

Our First Edition SUCCESSFULLY launched on 5th October 2023 for Short Films.
in June 2024 our Full Length Films Edition was a success.
The 3rd Edition for short films category was completed on 5 Oct 2024. Honorable MLA Shri Abhilash Pandey distributed the Awards. Edition 4 was filled with amazing films.

Edition 05 is the start of expanding towards Veeraangna Mahotsav.

Edition 06 will be on 24 June 2026, entries open from 14 Jan 2026.

Our main focus is to celebrate Cinema of Independent Filmmakers. We have a separate section for Indie Makers with less entry fee.

Note for Independent Filmmakers
As there are many films which did not get a release and makers did not get a good platform to showcase their cinema. RDIFF will provide them an online platform where they can schedule it and show it to the world. RDIFF will promote those films in the market (for that RDIFF will connect with the independent filmmakers separately, for query email us with Subject: RDIFF Play)

All projects officially selected will receive the official laurel and the custom certificate of achievement according to their final status in the competition through email.

The competition is open for professionals as well as students with separate section for student filmmakers.

Since we our guided by valour of Braveheart Queen Rani Durgavati, we will have a special category for Women Independent Filmmakers.

RDIFF is a festival with a difference.

Sustain Film Festival based in Guildford, Surrey—a cathedral town just a short train ride from London. While our festival theme has environmental overtones, we welcome submissions from artists, creators, producers and makers from across the creative and cultural landscapes, with an open invitation to interpret the theme as they see fit. We seek stories and artworks far and wide – local regional, national and global. We want to bring people together to promote the future wellbeing of the planet, as well as the current cultural wellbeing of its inhabitants. We want to deliver experiences that explore the very nature of our species, that probe into our psyches, ask big questions of who we are, and who we might become.

Our first year saw 53 events, with our main festival covering 4 days packed with 80 incredible shorts and features from over 35 countries. If you have an emotionally and environmentally engaging story, we want it to shine within our showcases!

Founded in 2003, IN THE PALACE International Film Festival is dedicated to short films and audiovisual arts. Originating as a competitive forum for student films, it is now a recognized platform for expression of both young artists and experienced professionals. Among the oldest in the Balkans, it is the only professional short film festival in Bulgaria.

IN THE PALACE ISFF is a Goya Awards qualifying festival, Student Academy Awards® qualifying festival, and an Academy Awards®/OSCAR® qualifying festival for shorts in the categories of Best Animation, Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best National Film. IN THE PALACE ISFF is a member of the international network of festivals and institutions serving the short film sector – the Short Film Conference.

IN THE PALACE ISFF annually launches the last weekend of June and for a week presents:

• International and national, professional and student competitive programs of fiction, documentary, animation and experimental films
• ON FOCUS film programs & screenings
• Q & A sessions
• FILMER FORGE industry program: panels, industry meetings, pitching training and sessions, an interdisciplinary conference and a range of opportunities for formal and informal networking
• THE SHORT FILM: GENRE SUI GENERIS – annual science conference on the short film genre since 2018
• Video library
• Film events and initiatives for general audience
• Parties

The festival offers a range of events, activities, and programs for both - local and international film industry and audience. IN THE PALACE ISFF is a cultural meeting point of film industry, artists, students, educational institutions, and the general public - by providing access to industry, trends and developments, and learning in the arts and culture through exhibition, training and interdisciplinary exchange.

In section M you participate with a free themed short film lasting no more than 15 minutes including titles.

Films are allowed in both Italian and foreign languages; the latter must be subtitled in Italian.

  The author assumes all responsibility for the filming carried out including the use of non-original music protected by copyright, all civil and criminal liability of the film produced and declares to have the legal availability of the film, authorizes its public screening without claiming no compensation, freeing the Alberoandronic Association from any present and future liability.

The Association reserves the right to use the works sent for exclusively cultural purposes, without claiming anything from the Author. For this section it is necessary to attach the specific completed and signed release form.

Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival(UMFF) is the first international mountain film festival in South Korea, dedicated to presenting and promoting films & culture dealing with mountains, adventure, exploration, nature, and the environment. The festival also provides an opportunity for filmmakers and mountaineers to meet and exchange ideas through seminars, events, screenings, and social gatherings.

The 11th UMFF will be held in Ulsan & Ulju, South Korea in autumn, 2026.

The AI ARTIST supported by ASSOCIATION FRANCE CHINE DES NOUVEAUX CINEMAS、 ONED Pioneer Imaging Laboratory 、PixVerse. Supported and co-organized by China's largest technology media 36Kr.

Film Festival aims to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence with film and video, fostering innovative applications of AI technology in film and video production and presentation, and advancing the development of the future film industry.

The festival will hold screenings and creator exchange activities every three months to keep up with the rapid development and updates in AI technology, fostering ongoing innovation and collaboration in the film and video industry. Through these initiatives, the festival aims to nurture a dynamic community of creators, artists, and innovators while advancing the boundaries of AI-driven cinematic expression.

We are supported by large models, associations and communities in the AI ​​field, including CORANT 3D, PixVerse, MIDjourney China, AIGC&China, AFCNC, WaytoAGI etc.

Notice: our new partner ,Courant3D Organized by Prenez du relief，from October 8th to 13th, 2024,As part of the partnership established between Courant3D, the International Short Film Festival in Clermont Ferrand, the New Cinema Saigon Festival and Berlin Interfilm, all selected films presented at the festival Courant3D、AI ARTIST may be presented during the times of the event at the International Festival short Film of Clermont Ferrand, the New Cinema Saigon Festival, the Interfilm Berlin and other editions of Courant3D and without exception.

On Halloween, Ibiza sheds its beaches, sun, and nightlife to become horror, blood, and fantasy. The IBIZA HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL has arrived.

· INTERNATIONAL SHORTFILM COMPETITION
· BALEARIC SHORTFILM COMPETITION
· TERROR EXPRESS: Local contest for horror videos recorded with smart phones during the festival.
· PROFESSIONAL DAYS: Masterclasses, roundtable discussions on horror films.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

· MONSTER WALK
· MONSTER FASHION SHOW
· TUNNEL OF TERROR
· Special effects and makeup workshop
· Musical and theatrical performances

Histeria International Fantastic Film Festival in Costa Rica and Dominican Republic brings together a current international selection of feature films and short films framed within the horror, science fiction and fantasy genre. It is a window in Central America and Caribbean for fantastic movies. Not only for Latin America, but for the rest of the world. A point where filmmakers with their films meet, so that they can be exhibited and seen.


Histeria Lab is a section of the festival focused on feature-length genre projects in the first stage of development. The projects travel to Costa Rica and Dominican Republic to receive advice on script, production, direction, bible design, pitch, photography, sound and art direction.

information: www.histeriafilmfest.com

The first day is dedicated to the "semi-professional short films" category, where 10 short films compete for a place in the professional category. The audience votes for the Best Semi-Professional Short Film award. The second day is dedicated to the "professional short films" category.

The goal of our festival is to showcase amateur filmmakers and provide them with opportunities for valuable networking. That's why we organize an annual jury masterclass and a podcast about the professional film industry. But beyond the competition, we also organize interactive activities related to cinema and local film associations, allowing young audiences to discover the world of film.

The Western Film Festival had its name derived from The Great Western Trail Drive but it is not just a film festival for western films!

We accept and showcase film genres of all types from horror, comedy, time travel, animation, and yes, even westerns! We have custom prizes for the winners and goodie bags for all selected filmmakers who attend! If you come for The Western Film Festival at Jackalopes Golf and Games in Coleman, Texas you can also visit the many unique stores in town and eat at the finest establishments whenever your hunger hit!

Make sure you explore Coleman whenever you come to The Western Film Festival April 16, 17, & 18, 2026!

Founded in 2015, DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL (D2D) is a Los Angeles based, International Dance Film Festival. Dare to Dance in Public Film Festival believes in the power of dance as an urgent agent of change, an expression of what connects us, and what it is to be alive and human in the world... RIGHT. THIS. MINUTE.

At D2D we are deeply dedicated to the concept of democratizing dance, actively questioning when and where it can happen, creating community, and spreading, promoting, and supporting the international genre of Screen Dance.

D2D annually brings in Internationally renowned choreographers, directors, curators, agents and more as Judges, promoting a rich dialogue about dance and film to determine our Award Winning and Honorably Mentioned Films. Our judges have included Kyle Abraham, Nina McNeely, Paul Lightfoot, Jasmine Albuquerque, Stephen Galloway, Desmond Richardson, Louise Lecavalier, Karole Armitage, Kristy Edmunds, d. Sabela Grimes, Julie McDonald, and many more.

At D2D, we believe in spreading the wealth of dance on film, and that great dance films can be viewed more than once.

DARE TO DANCE IN PUBLIC FILM FESTIVAL, believes in inclusivity and democratizing dance. Unlike Dance Camera West, Dare to Dance in Public believes in spreading the wealth of great dance films… At D2D, we are FILMMAKER FORWARD: We believe that great dance films can be seen multiple times, and at more than one Festival. D2D does NOT REQUIRE submitted films to be Los Angeles PREMIERES… Your films can have played at other LA festivals, and play again at D2D where we invite audiences to see with new eyes and fresh perspectives.

D2D is run by working directors, choreographers and educators who are active at the intersections and pushing the boundaries of dance and feature film, commercials, music videos, stage, circus, site-specific, immersive performance, Screen Dance, and more. Founder/Director Sarah Elgart is an award winning, DGA DIRECTOR, choreographer and producer D2D routinely draws people from the industry to D2D in search of new talent. D2D Founder Director Sarah Elgart worked with Dance Camera West for nearly seven years in numerous capacities and was instrumental in bringing Dance Camera West to institutions such as the Getty, the Music Center, LA County Museum of Art, the Directors’ Guild of America, and much more. Now we are incentivizing D2D with all that experience.

D2D continues to support filmmakers and offer them with opportunities including paid streaming with our partners at LUCID and possibilities at other venues such as BodyVox in Portland and The Kennedy Center.

"Parapacine" is an International Comedy Shorts and Film Festival inside "Parapariures" where both the audience and the jury will choose their favourite shorts and films.

The Festival will take place in Sabadell (Barcelona) on 10th, 17th and 24th of April 2026 and the final will be the 25th September 2026.

The Compton Film Festival serves as a platform to discover emerging talent and help filmmakers gain recognition. As a premier film event, the festival provides opportunities for filmmakers to make their mark and share their stories. With dedicated screenings and filmmaker-focused events, the Compton Film Festival is a place to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the art of filmmaking.

The Mirades Fest Social Film and Mental Health Festival is defined as a meeting space between cinema, social activism and critical thinking, which seeks to deepen knowledge of social rights and mental health.

Mirades Fest aims to delve into images and stories in which people with mental health problems are the true protagonists, spreading through the screens the situation of the most stigmatized and vulnerable groups.

Mirades Fest is an appointment both for film lovers, whether experts or fans, as well as for the general public, where the public and creators meet to enjoy a specially selected program with the aim of bringing them high-quality titles that are not commonly found in commercial circuits.

The programming of the Mostra is, moreover, specific to a social space, a diverse and plural space, as enriching as it is tragic; source of inspiration for artistic production, full of contradictions, challenges, clashes, hopes and a future to be defined.