Blog: Film festivals

The LimaDocs Documentary Film Festival will take place from May 14 to 23, 2026. In its second edition, the festival invites filmmakers from all over the country to submit their feature films, short films, and medium-length documentaries completed between January 2024 and the closing date of this call for entries.

THIS YEAR'S THEME FOR 2026: JAPAN AND ITS CUISINE

This festival, created by cinema and gastronomy professionals, was born from their passion for these two themes; and from 2 books we wrote: 'les petits plats du grand écran' (Little Dishes of the Big Screen) (1999) (Canal + edition) and Ciné-bouffe (Cinema-Food) (2001) (Hors Collection edition); as well as from a first International Film and Gastronomy Festival that took place in Dijon (2004 and 2005).

It is therefore with a 'gourmand' pleasure that we decided to once again pay tribute, through this festival, to the delicious films (whether sharp or savory) evoking gastronomy, and to the most exquisite table scenes, to try to understand why and how they were 'cooked' by the directors who imagined them.

We also have the desire to use cinema 1 to build a bridge with healthy eating, and to discover or rediscover the taste of cooking in order to make informed choices, to eat less unconsciously. It is therefore with an insatiable 'gastrosophic' 2 pleasure that we have concocted the different themes of this event.  

We say of our village, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France and a 'cité de caractère' (town of character), where the oldest houses date back to the 16th century, that it is a kind of little Hollywood of Brittany. It must be said that more than thirty feature films and series have been shot there, such as Tess, Chouans!, A Very Long Engagement..."

Welcome to the Second Annual From Beyond Film Festival, where the strange, shocking, and surreal take center stage. Held this October in the heart of Boise, Idaho, this brand-new celebration of fringe cinema invites audiences on a wild ride through horror, cult, sci-fi, fantasy, and all things wonderfully weird from across the globe.

Whether you're a lifelong lover of creature features or a curious newcomer looking to test your nerves, From Beyond will showcase a boundary-pushing lineup of films that defy genre rules and embrace the bizarre. This isn't just another festival—it’s a meeting place for misfits, mavericks, and midnight movie maniacs.

???? What to Expect

A curated selection of international and local films that explore the darker corners of cinematic imagination

World premieres, underground gems, and vintage cult classics

Engaging Q&As, filmmaker panels, and after-dark events

A creative community atmosphere at the Idaho Film Society, Boise’s vibrant indie film hub

???? Global Vision, Local Pulse From Beyond isn’t just about scares—it’s about storytelling. Each film reflects a unique worldview, and together, they build a shared space for genre lovers to explore new dimensions.

???? Come for the chills. Stay for the weird. This October, step into the void and discover what lies From Beyond.

The ExpoJoven Short Film Festival is an initiative organized by the Youth Department of the León City Council, whose objective is to promote young audiovisual talent and offer a space for exhibition and recognition to new creators. Through the screening of short films made by young filmmakers, the festival promotes creativity, artistic expression and cultural participation within the Leonese youth scene.

The 10th edition of **24 Risas por Segundo, International Film and Comedy Festival**, will take place **from May 11 to 17 in Mexico City**, and for that reason, we are **calling on Mexican and international filmmakers** to submit their **comedy films (shorts and features)** to be part of our program.

ESZENA is the Young Film Festival of Aragón, with a distinctly Aragonese identity and a national impact. It is a meeting point for young people, by young people, which seeks to focus on the new voices, those who in the future will carry the weight of the industry on their shoulders in Spain.

A festival to award and showcase emerging talent in cinema, both in front of and behind the cameras. At the same time, it serves as a platform to generate a network of talent for the future of cinema in the country.

ESZENA is a film festival held between the months of March and April. The 2026 edition will be its second edition with an official selection. ESZENA screens short films directed and scripted by young people, granting awards in technical categories such as cinematography, art direction, acting, etc.

At ESZENA, we provide opportunities and spaces for new young filmmakers and creatives. We are creating a much-needed space in Aragón. We are showcasing the new cinema. BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

“The Quarantine” is an international short film festival aimed at popularizing young and unknown authors among professional filmmakers’ circles. The festival is organized on completely voluntary basis, there are no screening fees and nobody receives any payment.

The festival takes place on the beach at “The Quarantine” fishing village which is the last standing fishing village in Varna, Bulgaria. The village is in danger of disappearing because a luxury residential complex is under construction on the coastline behind it. By provoking cultural exchange between contemporary artists from the whole world and locals, we intend to turn the fishing village into a culture and art zone and to preserve the fishermen’s way of life.

The name of the region “The Quarantine” comes from the past when sailors from commercial ships entering the harbour with suspicion of some kind of disease were taken ashore at the beach for the quarantine period of 40 days. In case they showed no signs of illness, they were allowed access to town. At present, the young authors who have still not found their realisation are in the state of a “Quarantine” – isolated by professional filmmakers’ circles. In analogy to the history of the location, we decided to name the festival “The Quarantine”.

New York Arts & Entertainment Film Festival (formerly NYC Popup Film Festival) celebrates quality independent films. Our goal is to bring quality short films to an audience and offer independent filmmakers a place to showcase their work. We also work to create network opportunities for future work to be created.

Short films of all genres are considered for Festival Screening.

Alexandria Cinema Days is an independent annual film festival held in the city of Alexandria, Egypt.

The festival aims to create an inspiring and competitive environment for filmmakers from all over the world, encouraging cinematic creativity in all its forms.

It seeks to highlight new cinematic voices and support emerging talents in narrative, documentary, and animation filmmaking — both short and feature-length — through a platform that promotes cultural exchange and artistic dialogue.

The festival honors outstanding works that reflect human experience and social realities through innovative and expressive storytelling.

ONLY FOR CHILEAN FILMMAKERS OR COPRODUCTION / SOLO PARA CINEASTAS CHILENOS O COPRODUCCIONES

Portland Under the Stars is the city’s newest celebration of cinematic creativity and storytelling, bringing the magic of film to the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Hosted at the historic McMenamins Mission Theater, this festival offers an unforgettable experience where Portland’s artistic spirit meets the glamour of the red carpet.

Picture yourself walking into one of Portland’s most iconic venues, surrounded by its vintage charm and intimate atmosphere. Start the evening with a red carpet welcome, complete with professional photos to capture your moment in the spotlight. Then, immerse yourself in a handpicked selection of films spanning diverse genres—thought-provoking narratives, laugh-out-loud comedies, gripping horrors, inspiring documentaries, and more.

But this is more than just a screening. Engage in live Q&A sessions with attending filmmakers and screenwriters, sharing your creative journey and connecting with an engaged audience. Be part of the action by voting for the Audience Choice Award, where every voice matters.

Wrap up the night with a lively award ceremony, honoring exceptional talent with custom-crafted trophies that celebrate Portland’s innovative and unique character. And for those seeking connections and collaboration, our outdoor networking mixer at Sonder provides the perfect setting to meet fellow filmmakers and creatives.

Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker, an established creator, or simply a lover of great cinema, Portland Under the Stars promises a night filled with inspiration, celebration, and community. This is your opportunity to be part of something new and extraordinary in one of the most creative cities in the world.

Ambrosia — the Spring Festival of Living Cinema

What is Ambrosia? Both the nectar of the gods and a poisonous plant. Our festival is just like that — a fusion of contrasts: inspiration and aftertaste, admiration and disillusion, the sublime and the ordinary.

At the Ambrosia International Film Festival, you’ll see world cinema in all its forms and moods — from comedy to tragedy, from documentaries to animation, from student shorts to full-length works by seasoned filmmakers.

We celebrate cinema that breathes, argues, surprises, and dares to be different. Ambrosia is a space where fresh ideas meet experience, and audiences can taste film — sometimes sweet, sometimes sharp, sometimes burning just a little.

The spring edition of Ambrosia is a celebration of contrasts and discoveries — where films awaken emotion and leave an aftertaste worth talking about.

All officially selected films will be shown on the big screen during the solemn final ceremony on April 24 – 26, 2026 in Moscow, Russia, and will be able to struggle for the main prize and the title of the “Best Film”. As well as for the prizes in the standalone nominations.

FestiBaldo was born with great enthusiasm — and a lot of effort — in the Sant Roc neighborhood (Badalona) in 2022. It is a festival organized by the 10th-grade students of Institut Escola Baldomer Solà.

This year marks the 4th edition, and we hope it will have the same impact as in previous years.

To participate, entrants must comply with the rules and regulations described below.

The Horror in Banfield International Film Festival was born with the central idea of spreading and promoting independent horror genre films and at the same time with the intention of creating a space for cultural exchange among horror lovers.

In the edition 2025 we inaugurate the section bizzarra for all the pearls that do not belong purely and exclusively to the field of horror.

Horror in Banfield is a space for the screening of films, short films and video clips as well as a meeting point to enjoy a comprehensive experience that includes directors, actors, producers, students and lovers of horror culture.

The selected films will be part of the official competition in the following categories.

. Best International Feature Film.
. Best Argentine Feature Film
. Best Latin American Feature Film .
. Best Bizarre Feature Film .
. Best International Short Film .
. Best Argentine Short Film .
. Best Horror Video Clip.
. Best Bizarre Short Film .
. Best Director .
. Best Actor/Actress .
. Best Production .
. Best Cinematography .
. Best FX .
. Best Trailer .
. Best Graphics/Poster.
. Best soundtrack .
. Best post production .
. Honorable Mention .
. Best feature film (audience vote) .

5th Oriéntate – Asturian Film Festival of Llanes 2026

The sample of school short films of the La Almunia Film Festival is a national short film competition that hosts works made in Early Childhood, Primary and Special Education Centers, Secondary and High School Educational Centers.

Vertical Shorts Festival is the first international film festival dedicated exclusively to vertical filmmaking (9:16 aspect ratio) a bold and modern format reshaping how stories are told and experienced. We celebrate creators who embrace the mobile-first world and use vertical video not as a constraint, but as a canvas for innovation.

Whether it’s a gripping drama, a supernatural thriller, a heartfelt romance, or a daring fantasy, we’re looking for bold voices and fresh perspectives across genres, as long as they’re vertical.

Our mission is to spotlight emerging and established filmmakers who are pushing visual storytelling forward. We welcome smartphone filmmakers, experimental creators, and anyone exploring this unique format with purpose, passion, and cinematic craft.

Join us and be part of a new movement in cinema, where your vertical vision takes center stage.

Award-winning film directors Yuri Maslak & Olga Tugaeva invite you to take part in the Berlin Indie Shorts Festival, which takes place in the cinematic capital of Europe. Berlin is a city where different cultures and nationalities meet, a city where the spirit of freedom and creativity reigns. It is a magnet for talented actors, directors, screenwriters and other industry professionals seeking to contribute to the development of cinema. It is a true centre of cinema, where new ideas are born and the most ambitious projects are realised.

The festival organisers are the creators of films that have won more than 100 awards at international film festivals. We know how difficult it is to start a career in cinema. We have travelled this path and are committed to helping a new generation of talented filmmakers. We believe that young filmmakers should have the opportunity to realise their potential and we want to create an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone involved can feel part of a great filmmaking community.

Berlin Indie Shorts Festival is not just an independent film competition, it is a platform that brings together talented filmmakers. The festival aims to present the most daring, innovative and inspiring short films, created without regard to commercial frameworks or stereotypes. It values originality, experimentation with form and content, and the ability to tell stories that make the viewer think and feel. It is a place where new ideas are born and new names are discovered in the world of cinema, an opportunity for filmmakers from all over the world to make a name for themselves, to be noticed and to be appreciated.

We gather the best works from all over the world that impress with their originality and unique approach to storytelling. Short film is the art of telling big stories with small means, capturing the spirit in a matter of minutes and leaving a mark in the hearts of the audience for years to come. Here it ceases to be the “little brother” of feature-length cinema and acquires its own uniqueness and value.

The live screening of the season’s winning films and the awards ceremony take place in the legendary creative space Heckmann-Höfe – our Berlin’s Montmartre. After the official part, the evening will continue in an atmosphere of relaxed socializing to the sound of music. Over a cup of aromatic coffee you will be able to make new acquaintances and possibly become part of projects that can change the world of cinema.

NO CLICHÉS. NO LIMITS. JUST PURE ART.

Slash Eyes International Film Festival (SEIFF) is a festival that is open to all cultures and all different ways of looking at reality. We will accept your proposal with the respect and dignity it deserves. If you are a creator with an original and different vision, then this is the ideal place for you.

We place a high value on originality and champion the work of creators who may not be understood by the more traditional circuits.

We are based on the island of Mallorca, one of the places with the greatest potential for recognition and exposure in the world. You can take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your work and to promote yourself as a film maker.

Welcome to the Filmique International Film Festival, an illustrious celebration of the seventh art nestled in the vibrant heart of Kolkata.

In the labyrinthine alleys of this cultural hub, where the echoes of Tagore's verses mingle with the aromas of street delicacies, we gather to witness a kaleidoscope of cinematic marvels. Our mission? To unveil the most awe-inspiring creations that the world of cinema has to offer.

Here, we transcend boundaries, weaving a tapestry of diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives, all bound together by the universal language of storytelling.
From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the sun-kissed shores of Rio de Janeiro, every corner of the globe finds its voice on our screens.

Yet, our mission extends beyond mere spectacle. We are not here to make you famous; we are here to give you the recognition you deserve. Behind every masterpiece lies a visionary creator, a dedicated team, and a relentless passion for the craft. At Filmique, we honor these unsung heroes, shining a spotlight on their talents and contributions to the cinematic landscape.

So, let us join hands and embark on this exhilarating journey together. Let us delve into the depths of filmmaking, where dreams take flight and imagination knows no bounds. Together, we will explore the myriad facets of human experience, celebrating the power of storytelling to inspire, provoke, and unite us all.

Welcome to Filmique International Film Festival, where the magic of cinema awaits.