Blog: Film festivals

The 36th Message to Man International Festival of documentary, short fiction, animated, and experimental films will take place from 16 to 24 October 2026 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Over the years, the Festival has hosted distinguished figures of world cinema, including Werner Herzog, Ulrich Seidl, Claude Lanzmann, Isabelle Huppert, Fanny Ardant, Agnès Varda, Mira Nair, Paolo Sorrentino, Alan Berliner, Eric Roberts, Jonathan Rosenbaum, Abdellatif Kechiche, Udo Kier, and many others.

With its history spanning three decades of cinema development, Message to Man was founded in 1989 in Leningrad by filmmaker Mikhail Litvyakov, who now serves as the Honorary President of the Festival.

In 2010, Alexei Uchitel, a renowned director of documentaries and feature films, assumed the role of the Festival's President.

The Festival programme revolves around three competitions: international, national, and experimental, providing a platform for both full-length and short films to vie for the Festival's Grand Prix. Message to Man consistently draws thousands of cinema enthusiasts to St. Petersburg each year.

The Itabaiana International Film Festival was created with the aim of enabling and encouraging young audiovisual producers living in Brazil and abroad to promote their work, thus promoting new productions and professionals in the regional, national and even international segments.

The Festival will show films from all categories and film genres, through competitive and informative exhibitions; in addition to promoting debates on audiovisual with lectures/round tables/workshops that will be held.

The Itabaiana International Film Festival returns for its fifth edition, from July 29th to August 1st.

The Museo do Pobo Galego (Museum of Galician People) organises the Mostra Internacional de Cinema Etnográfico - Ethnographic Film Festival. 20th Mostra de Cinema Etnográfico Museo do Pobo Galego will run 12-16 March, 2025 in Santiago
de Compostela.

Call for entries from January 19,2026 to February 16,2026.

We understand ethnographic cinema in a broad sense; it refers to those productions
whose main aim is to show different aspects related to sociocultural realities as well as
a community’s way of life. It comprises films with the main focus on people, social groups and relevant historical processes that are related to anthropology and ethnography.

Marbella International Film Festival brings together artisits and creators to present their talents to the commercial world of film professionals, financiers and distributers.

MIFF is the place for a film makers who want to achieve commercial success as well as displaying their artistic work.

Applicants are invited to submit their films and projects for
feature, documentary, and short films sections of the festival.

The AI & Digital section of 2026 Miff. Invites Content creators to present their digital creation to the industry decision makers and develop association and form co-production projects with film & Advertising and media.

Pitch your Vision section of 2026MIFF is an ideal platform for writers, and producers to pitch their projects to a panel of investors and co-producers and take part in the competition to have their projects developed.

To submit your film, your digital AI creation or pitch your script at 2026 Miff please submit here.

Marbella in the southern coast of Spain is considered among the most exclusive cities in the world, thus a perfect location for the high calibre MIFF, conveniently placed for film makers looking to show case their work in the glamour and glitz of Marbella while networking with some of the hight net worth international individuals who call Marbella their homes.

What’s on offer?

-Five days of screening in the state of art cinema.
-Opportunity for screening of your film to promote and distribute your film.
-Networking events.
-Expert panel discussions and workshops.
-Support for pre-production of your next project
-Nightly VIP theme parties.
-Red carpet screening opportunities.
-Chance to win the presstigiuos MIFF award

The festival concludes with a black-tie awards ceremony which is the high light of the Marbella social calendar attracting visitors from all over the world, thus offering endless networking opportunities to pitch for your next project, while screening your film as a red-carpet premier event, a great opportunity for promotion and distribution of your work.

The selection criteria for the works are: those that promote human rights, peace and coexistence, or are related to sub-themes such as environmental rights, women's rights, the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community, Afro-descendant people, peasants, indigenous people, and people with disabilities.

Since ancient times, human emotions have been intense and profound, driving both acts of love and acts of hate. History, written by those who have triumphed, often does not fairly reflect all voices. Although it seemed that intolerance and hatred were things of the past, reality shows otherwise. Today, the LGBTIQ+ community faces significant challenges.

It is essential for queer, lesbian, gay, trans, and all those identified with sexual diversity to unite in celebrating love and diversity. This is a call to gather, show love, and honor the struggle and sacrifice of those who paved the way. In a world where hate becomes the constant and exclusion becomes part of the norm, loving becomes a powerful act. Unity and love are the tools to build an inclusive future where being different is a fundamental right and an expression of freedom.

The announcement of the International Internet Short-film Festival "Diogenes 2026"

Slogan: Cinema Without Borders

The Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film Festival 2026 is an event of showing and spreading the culture of this genres in Bogotá, with some spaces of showing between 25 and 31 of october.

The InFest Film Festival is a 2-day freak short film Festival which is held in Rubí, a city of asphalt, industry and smoke located in the Valles Occidental, a region located near Barcelona (Spain).

The InFest festival emerges as a firm and clear proposal: that Rubí be known as the Rubiwood of the Vallés district. During the last 10 years, InFest has organized the best possible short film experience: outdoors screenings, concerts, bar service and all kinds of activities related to cinema. What else can we ask for?

The InFest is devoted to showcase new short films (produced after year 2020) showing Sci-Fi, Fantastic, Freak and Horror elements. Short films cannot exceed 15 minutes length (credits excluded). Foreign films MUST be dubbed or subtitled in Spanish or Catalan, or the film will not be accepted.

In 2026, the InFest will celebrate its 11th annual edition. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the InFest was moved to the amphitheater of The castle of Rubí ("El Castell"), a defensive construction from the 13th century, which can host public events with more than 2000 people. The amphitheater features seats, stage and bar! Jury Prize and Audience Award will receive 1000 and 250 euros, respectively.

Diversamente Film Festival

International film award for short films dedicated to disability, inclusion, and the celebration of diversity

Lead organization: K-Antares APS
Project coordinator: Dr. Lorenzo Simonini

The International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival (IPRHFF)’s mission is to create platforms that allow a diverse pool of influencers in filmmaking to reach a broader audience. We develop programs that allow local and international filmmakers, from emerging artists to film industry veterans, to reach out to audiences throughout New York City and beyond.
Our goal is to foster a collaborative environment for artists from all countries to explore issues inherent to the heritage of Puerto Rico, its diaspora, and explore stories relevant to the larger Latino community.

This Multicultural Festival Is Open To All Filmmakers.

MAFIC: “MÁLAGA- INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL”: Training, BUSINESS AND APPRECIATION Space for new audiovisual, Artistic and Cinematographic products; Academic laboratories; suitable land for the meeting and exchange of alliances and development of projects between the regional, national and international industry.

MAFIC: is composed of 3 EXPERIENCES designed as follows:

REMA: "EXHIBITION ROUTE - MALAGUEÑA": Exclusive Exhibition Spaces throughout the municipality, of the latest Audiovisual Productions - Cinematographic, International, National, and Regional.

MAM “MÁLAGA AUDIOVISUAL AND ART, MARKETING” offers you opportunities that allow you to expand your network of contacts and learn about the regional, national or international Audiovisual market in artistic areas (cinema, theater, music, designers, plastic artists, costumes, decoration, comics, etc.)

LAFAMA "MALAGUEÑA AUDIOVISUAL TRAINING LABORATORIES"

They are laboratories of investigation and knowledge, where illustrious and recognized personages, will expose to the public in general or specific, detailed information of subjects of the cinematographic industry.

Friki:
/ˈfrēkē/
adj.

Estar o llegar a estar extremadamente emocionado o entusiasmado por un tema, típicamente uno de interés especializado o minoritario.

FICF es un festival de cine en Quito, Ecuador dedicado a la exploración de la Ciencia Ficción, el Terror y la Fantasía. Nuestro propósito principal es presentar y promover diferentes géneros que no son comunes en el circuito de festivales de cine latinoamericano.

Tenemos una serie de conferencias, talleres y fiestas para que tu experiencia de networking sea lo más friki posible. Los oradores y las fechas de los eventos se anunciarán en nuestro sitio web.

Lleva tu frikiness a la pantalla. ¡Aplica ahora!

The CONIL DE CINE International Short Film Festival, organized by Niñas Films with the support and financing of the City Council and the Tourist Board of Conil de la Frontera, was created with the purpose of disseminating and promoting cinematographic culture, as well as supporting emerging filmmakers through the creation of a reference space, where their work can be made known, collaboration and connection between industry professionals is encouraged.

Launched in 2023, the Sobh Media Festival aims to introduce leading international content creators and promote cooperation among them in the global media arena. The festival seeks to discover and honor media talents while providing a platform to sustain artistic creativity and strengthen an international media movement.

Through specialized workshops and seminars, the festival also works to acquaint artists with the evolving media landscape and support the development of independent thinking and creative vision.

The fourth edition of the Sobh Media Festival is now accepting submissions in two categories: the main section and a special section dedicated to Palestine.

This year’s edition also features three special awards:

- The “1500th Birth Anniversary of the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH)” Award

- The “Sahar Emami” Special Award

- The “BRICS” Award

Festival Themes:

The central theme of the Sobh Media Festival is “Media and the New World Order,” underscoring the importance of local and regional identities, spirituality, family values, resistance discourse, and anti-imperialism.

Market Section:

The Market Section serves as a platform for presenting media works, products, and projects to audiences, investors, and professionals. It enables artists, producers, and companies to build new business connections and collaborations. This section also allows participants to promote and sell their works while offering opportunities for networking and brand development.

BAARIA FILM FESTIVAL is an international film festival focused on island cinematography of the world, showing the cultural diversity of island territories through cinema. This event is unique in its theme, in Italy, being the first film festival in the country that programs exclusively island cinema.

A great deal of space, of course, is devoted to Sicily, comparing it to other island territories, always using cinema as a means to explore and reveal the beauty and deep identity of the region.

The El Ojo Maya Film Festival (FCOM) is a cinematic celebration dedicated to the voices, stories, and identities of the Maya territory. Its first edition will take place from May 7 to 10, 2026, in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, with screenings held at cultural venues, universities, and public spaces.

The festival aims to strengthen audiovisual creation in southeastern Mexico and Central America by offering a platform for fiction, documentary, and speculative narratives (Sci-Fi) short and feature films produced by filmmakers who are native to or residents of the Maya world.

In addition to the official competition, the Maya World Film Festival “El Ojo Maya” will host talks, masterclasses, special screenings, and educational activities.

The 9th edition of the PIFF Festival will take place in the city of Paraná, from September 2nd to September 4th, 2026.

The Paraná Festival's headquarters are located at the following address: Asociación Civil B. Pedro Lemebel, Santos Vega Street 1754, Units 9, 10, and 11, Galería Comercial “El Sol”. Its official Facebook page (Fanpage) and Instagram account (@cinefestparana) provide detailed information and details on how to contact the Festival and its various departments.

PIFF, the Paraná International Independent Film Festival, is jointly owned by Grupo Transmedia Argentina and CICVE (Center for Research in Experimental Film and Video Art), both belonging to the Asociación Civil “Biblioteca Pedro Lemebel”. The Paraná Festival is organized by its director, Esteban Amatti.

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

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

All films presented at the 9th edition of PIFF will be selected by its selection committee, headed by the Festival Director and advised by a network of international delegates comprised of film professionals and specialists in the world of cinema and film festivals. This committee will be called the "International Film Classification Committee."

All films selected for the 9th edition will receive a certificate of participation from the Paraná Film Festival Director.

The International Film Festival "Piriápolis de Película" is an event that has consolidated itself as an essential space for the meeting of the independent production of national and international filmmakers. It is characterized by exhibiting, completely free of charge, a selection of outstanding audiovisual productions, short, medium and feature films of all genres. It also has an Iberoamerican Short Film Contest, whose objective is to stimulate and disseminate the production of short films in the region and the continent, adorned by an outstanding international jury.

Welcome to the International Media Festival of Wales (IMFW).

This is an exciting industry festival created by the team behind the highly successful BAFTA British Short Film Competition and BAFTA Cymru qualifying Carmarthen Bay Film Festival.

Our aim is to celebrate the very best of today's content creators, programme and media makers, media related and documentary photography and writing talent here in Wales and from around the world

It is our hope that IMF of Wales will provide an ideal opportunity to network and rub shoulders with the right people, the ones that matter— experienced practitioners and educators in their field, people who know what they're talking about.

The International Media Festival of Wales is not just about getting your project seen or read; it's about you! We want to help you get noticed.

During the festival there will be screenings, exhibitions, seminars, and more.

So come and be part of our industry-leading festival here in Wales; submit your project now.

#ExcellenceShouldBeSeenOnScreen