Blog: Film festivals

Every year, during the month of April, the city of Brussels becomes the capital of all things Fantastic. The BIFFF, one of the biggest International Fantastic Film Festivals of the world (certainly the craziest), screens more than 100 movies during its 13 days marathon, ranging from Fantasy to Thriller, Sci-Fi, Cult, Horror, Anime, Experimental, underground, etc., of which some 90 features and 100 shorts in World, International, European or Belgian premiere.

Any individual or legal entity, whether participating individually or collectively, may take part without age restrictions. Submissions can include any audiovisual production in 4K, 2K, Full HD, HDV, or HD formats. Productions that have been previously screened or featured in other showcases and festivals are eligible. Submissions must have been completed during the current year or the previous year.

All works recorded in digital format will be accepted for all sections that form part of the official selection.

¡Hola! We are MADRIFF • Madrid Indie Film Festival, an international film festival with screening events from Madrid, Spain, and member of the IBERIFF • Iberia Indie Film Festivals, which celebrates and showcases new productions and independent artists from all over the world in Madrid (MADRIFF), Barcelona (BARCIFF), València (VALÈIFF), Seville (SEVIFF), Lisbon (LISBIFF) and Montpellier (MONTIFF), that you can also find them here in Festhome.

MADRIFF shares the mission of its associate festivals of supporting emerging talents, encouraging artistic exploration, fostering networking, promoting cultural exchange and engaging the local community by providing a platform to present the work of independent filmmakers.

Fiction films, animation, documentary and experimental works of any genre and subject are welcome!

Hiperesfera (Hypersphere) is a film festival dedicated to experimental film creators, philosophers and enthusiast of both subjects for the exchange of ideas about a wide range of topics always at the verge of film and philosophy. Our mission is to be an open space for the wildest film and interesting discussions for people around the world.

FILMAY 2026 will be the 8th edition of the short film festival held in Kumanovo.

The festival started in 2019, following the idea for inspiring, supporting and enhancing short film production.

It also intends to engage and empower viewing desire and aspirations for enjoyment of short films.

We love horror and we're very excited to watch your films!

The Bloody Horror International Film Festival (BHIFF) is an international festival seeking the best in indie horror (both amateur and professional).

The festival is set up in two yearly sessions. Selected films will be recognized and awarded in various categories.

BHIFF has made a point to keep our entry fees low as to give everyone the chance to enter, and we offer a high number of award categories!

BHIFF is headquartered in Canada, but its panel of judges is set in different parts of the world and comes with a variety of horror film expertise.

As of June 2025, BHIFF will now be sharing more content on social media! We think this is a great way to help promote your work/creations for everyone to see! We hold the rights to use any material submitted and will use this to promote your amazing creations! We may use film trailers, posters and clips of submitted films (even non-inning films)

Here at BHIFF, we feel everyone's work is a masterpiece! We have the hard job of choosing our Official Selections and Winners. This doesn't mean we didn't love all the films. We aren't always able to screen all of the Official Selections and Honorable Mentions because we have time limits at the venues.

So, we feel that sharing on social media is a great way to get everyone work seen!

We have partnered up with the nice folks over at B-Movie TV!
B-Movie TV is a Live TV Channel that is available via Roku Box. B-Movies 24/7!

Every film that wins BHIFF's Baddest B-Movie award will be exclusively screened LIVE on B-Movie TV's channel! How cool is that?!

Lots more exciting stuff coming soon!

We're always very excited to see your creations!

Un Court Tournable is a shorts films festival event that aims to be a place of discovery of new talents in the field of cinema.

Personalities will sponsor some of our events as a guest of honor, an opportunity to share experience with this artistic universe.

The festival have 4 editions by year.

The screening will take place:

CINEMA MAC MAHON
5 Avenue Mac-Mahon
75017 Paris
http://www.cinemamacmahon.com/
Métro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile (ligne 1, 2 et 6)
Parking: Indigo Wagram ou Mac Mahon

or

ECOLES CINEMA CLUB
23 rue des Ecoles
75005 Paris
https://pariscinemaclub.com/ecoles/
Métro: Maubert-Mutualité, Cardinal Lemoine (ligne 10)

Indy Film Fest was founded in 2004 to celebrate the art of cinema and to create a shared experience around film in Indianapolis. We are a non-profit, international, independent film festival programming both features and shorts. Our all-volunteer staff strives to bring the best films the industry has to offer to our community from home and abroad. Our programmers aim to foster new talent and help filmmakers connect with the global industry. We are also dedicated to educating and developing audiences for international and independent cinema in Indy, screening the kind of innovative, visionary work that may not normally achieve distribution in this area.

Indy Film Fest is looking for the best independent features and shorts no matter the category or genre including: live action, animated, drama, comedy, narrative, documentary, horror, sci-fi, and experimental. Our annual festival spanning over 10+ days typically programs around 25 features and 100 short films, with over 90% from submissions.

Always growing and adapting, the Indy Film Fest began as the three-day Indianapolis International Film Festival in 2004. We quickly expanded to our current 10-day format in 2006, moved our festivities to the summer in 2009, changed our name to the Indy Film Fest in 2014, and since 2018 have been back home in our original spring timeframe. Due to COVID-19 our 2020 and 2021 festivals were primarily virtual and our 2022 - 2025 festivals were hybrid 5-day in-person festivals followed by virtual availability and concluding with award-winner in-person screenings on the final weekend. That format is our goal for the 2026 festival and before selection decisions are made filmmakers will be informed of any changes to dates or format and given the opportunity to request their submission fee be applied to a future festival if those changes are not acceptable.

Alumni of the Indy Film Fest (and Indianapolis International Film Festival) are eligible for a reasonable number of free submissions. Films with significant ties to Indiana are eligible for drastically reduced submission fees. Examples of eligibility include the director or writer being a current Indiana resident or native, or the film being primarily shot within Indiana. Please contact submissions@indyfilmfest.org to see if you are eligible for either of these opportunities.

The EcoFrames Environmental Film Festival is more than a showcase; it’s a dynamic platform where art, activism, and environmental awareness converge. We are located in Greece. We present films exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and nature, tackling urgent themes like climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and sustainable living. We welcome submissions of both short and feature-length documentaries and fiction films that illuminate our planet's beauty, fragility, and the critical challenges we face. Our curated selection aims to challenge perspectives, deepen understanding, and empower audiences to act. All screenings are free and open to the public.

Utilizing the Solar Cinema Van (member of the Solar World Cinema network), EcoFrames and Kalamata creative Documentary Center brings environmental films directly to communities, transforming public squares, natural landscapes, forests, and beaches into captivating, open-air cinematic venues. This immersive approach fosters a profound connection with nature and broadens access for diverse audiences. Beyond screenings, we offer interactive experiences including panel discussions, workshops, and community-building events.

Accessibility is paramount at EcoFrames. All films are adapted for individuals with disabilities, featuring closed captions, audio descriptions, and, where appropriate, simplified language versions with dubbing. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can engage with your powerful stories.

Our mission is to raise awareness, foster understanding of sustainability, and inspire action. We believe film possesses a unique power to ignite conversations, shift mindsets, and catalyze positive change. We extend our impact beyond the festival through year-round engagement via touring film series, educational programs, and digital platforms.

We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation to build a sustainable future. Through engaging programs like interactive workshops, youth filmmaking initiatives, and nature-focused activities, we nurture creativity, foster a connection with the natural world, and encourage informed advocacy, empowering young people to create a healthier planet.

Join EcoFrames and be part of a vibrant movement dedicated to protecting our planet. Together, we amplify the voices of environmental storytellers and create a lasting impact

The New York State International Film Festival is located in the heart of New York, Albany!

Since 2016, we have screened 478 short films from all around the globe.

We have connected filmmakers with their audiences through short films each year, and we'd like to thank everyone for joining us! We continue to aspire to become one of the greatest film festivals in the nation. We are an international short film festival. The festival invites people from all over the Capital Region of New York and all over the world. Everyone is welcome to submit their short films. We support students and first-time filmmakers too. We encourage all types of documentaries, animation, drama, comedy, experimental, music videos and horror short films.

Films will be viewed during the festival by the public. We have Q/A Panels throughout the festival. Our greatest goal is to celebrate the art with you and your viewing audience, so it's important that you have fun in the process!

During one week of the year over 100,000 film-lovers gather in over 500 Cinemas across 6 Continents to view and vote on the Finalists Films in the 29th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival - MANHATTAN SHORT is more than just one of the largest short film festivals in the world....it is the World's First Global Film Festival.

If making short films is about getting your work out there, nothing compares to MANHATTAN SHORT.

Every Film Selected is eligible to enter the Oscars:
MANHATTAN SHORT does a full week's advertised run in a cinema in Los Angeles, California. This theater booking means all ten finalists in the 2026 MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival will be eligible to enter the Oscar competition for 2027. Many past Finalists from MANHATTAN SHORT have been nominated and even win the Oscar in the Festivals 29 year history.

MANHATTAN SHORT also conducts a screenplay competition for screenplay for short films only (20 pages and under)

Featured Musical Artist Competition:
MANHATTAN SHORT will be featuring a Musical Artist or Band leading up to and throughout the duration of the Festival each year. The selected Musician or Band will have his/her music featured in over four hundred venues and to over 100,000 people worldwide during the MANHATTAN SHORT intermission and in all promotional materials leading up to the festival dates, including exclusive headline billing on our website. This is a tremendous opportunity for new or unknown musical talent to have their music broadcast to our ready-made worldwide audience of eager festival attendees. It is also a unique chance to gain name recognition and immediate exposure. Entry forms are also available at the website: http://manhattanshort.com/musical-artist-competition.html

The Papagena Screenwriting Festival is a space dedicated to celebrating the art of audiovisual writing in its many forms. Focused exclusively on screenplays, the festival seeks to recognize new creative voices and offer visibility to original short, feature, series, and documentary projects.

Entirely online and accessible, the event features free workshops, lectures, and discussion groups, fostering exchanges between screenwriters, audiovisual professionals, and the public interested in the creative process.

Our goal is to encourage the creation of innovative stories, recognize emerging talent, and build a support network for those who want to transform words into images. More than just awarding awards, the Papagena Screenwriting Festival is an invitation to join a creative, diverse, and collaborative community.

Toronto Tamil International Film Festival (TTFF or TTIFF) is conducting a innovative international film festival and invites participation from aspiring and upcoming independent filmmakers. A unique film Festival, focusing on opportunity creation for global filmmakers.

[The purpose of Toronto Tamil film festival is to promote new movie makers, exchange of knowledge, information, ideas & culture between Tamil & other nations in context of their social and cultural ethos. TTIFF also promotes friendship and co-operation among people of the world through the medium of films & documentaries.]

Our festival supports independent cinema across formats and aims to showcase the best talent & cinema from across the globe.

Also, The Toronto Tamil Film Festival is an annual showcase of Tamil Cinema created by Tamils internationally. Films include short, feature, documentaries and Social & Music which explore the culture, history and tradition of Tamils. It is a unique festival to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Tamil film industry from Canada, USA, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

Created with a sole purpose to highlight its diverse population, rich tradition, struggles for democracy and equity, the Toronto Tamil Film Festival highlights outstanding work in the industry and celebrate it.

Reaching a potential audience of 500,000 Canadians of Tamil descent, as well as millions of Toronto-based movie lovers, TTFF (Toronto Tamil Film Festival) provides a unique cultural destination for Toronto and Ontario based ex-patriots to connect with the culture of home through the magic of cinema.

Toronto Tamil Film Festival (TTFF) is one of the most significant festival of Tamil films held anywhere outside of Indian subcontinent.

Our Vision:
“Bringing the World to Toronto, Canada through a shared passion for film and the power of storytelling.”

Our Mission
The Toronto Tamil Film Festival is dedicated to the discovery and promotion of Film Makers, Story tellers and Artists and sharing with audiences. Everyone has a story to tell, our goal is to inspire and encourage people to share their stories using the media of film and to create events that enable the sharing of those stories across communities and beyond.

For all fans of horror and filmmaking 2026, will be bigger and better than before! We're playing two days in Hollywood. With star-studded premieres and Hollywood career celebrations (names to be announced shortly). We have our own coffee bar the entire weekend - for networking and relaxing between (and during) events - and we also plan to honor a celebrity star with the prestigious PRICE AWARD and raise funds for charity in the process.

Past honorees & special guests include JOHN LANDIS, SID HAIG, JOE DANTE, LANCE HENRIKSEN, DICK MILLER, STUART GORDON, DEE WALLACE, VICTORIA PRICE, KEVIN TENNEY, ALAN HOWARTH, ANULKA, BAI LING, JAKE BUSEY, LEW TEMPLE, BILL MOSELY, RICHARD BAND, MARY SCHEER, ROBERT 'CORPSY' RHINE, VERNON WELLS, JAMES KAREN, BEVERLY RANDOLPH, JEWEL SHEPARD, ROLFE KANEFSKY and CASSANDRA PETERSON, to name but a few.

More details will be announced in the coming months. All entrants get our free bi-monthy newsletter too.

Founder/Director
Hollywood Horrorfest

The International Documentary Film Festival of Uruguay began in Atlántida, the summer retreat of Alberto Mántaras—one of the pioneers of Uruguayan documentary filmmaking—and a place of refuge for Pablo Neruda. It is one of the first seaside resorts east of Montevideo, located just a few kilometers from the airport and offering ideal infrastructure for hosting a festival. A beautiful coastal town with a beach and a historic hotel that once welcomed notable figures such as Gardel, García Lorca, Mirtha Legrand, and many other celebrities of the 1930s.

Year after year, the festival expanded throughout the entire country, driven by the desire to reach more people, especially in Uruguay’s interior, where the best documentaries in the world do not always arrive. Public television channels support us, but it is never enough—particularly considering that around 600 films are submitted each year, and we only have the capacity to program the 100 that are selected.

This creates a double commitment: on the one hand, to the filmmakers who place their hopes in being part of Atlantidoc’s program; and on the other, to a diverse audience that must leave the comfort of their homes to attend a screening and watch a documentary we have selected, trusting our judgment—always guided by the pursuit of formal and narrative quality. One day we hope to have a streaming platform that will allow us to reach audiences more directly, more comfortably, and more effectively.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

In this part of the world, excellent documentaries are produced, yet we face challenges in theatrical and festival programming. This is why we created Atlantidoc in 2006: a festival that seeks to give documentaries the recognition they deserve.
Since then, it has grown every year, expanding across the whole country and throughout South America. With professional juries, significant awards, and high-level training programs, Atlantidoc is an international festival inspired by decentralization.

Our experience in festival organization dates back to 1982, with notable achievements such as Divercine, which ran for 30 years, and the First Animation Film Festival of Uruguay in 2005. We draw inspiration from the Documentary and Experimental Film Festival of SODRE from the 1960s.

Since the very first edition, we have invited to Uruguay the best documentary filmmakers we could bring—many of them outstanding—resulting in clear and lasting benefits for documentary filmmaking in the region. Uruguayan cinema cannot exist without co-production, and this has been at the core of our work since the beginning.

The KATZE Film Festival proudly returns for its fourth edition in 2026, continuing its uncompromising journey to the edges of society, the human experience, and cinematic innovation.

The 2026 edition will once again take place at Beit Tami in Tel Aviv, in collaboration with the Tel Aviv Municipality. This partnership anchors the festival at the heart of the city’s cultural landscape.

At KATZE, we explore the unfamiliar, embrace the unconventional, and champion filmmakers who dare to push boundaries, question norms, and reinvent cinematic language.

From raw human dramas to radical experimental visions, KATZE 2026 will present a bold selection of films that captivate, unsettle, and illuminate new creative frontiers. We invite filmmakers worldwide to submit their work and join this expanding community of boundary-defying creators.

Take a moment to explore images from previous editions of the festival to get a broader sense of the atmosphere, energy, and spirit that define KATZE.

Last year’s official trailer offers a first glimpse into the 2025 edition:
Video Trailer 25 – https://youtu.be/R-OVMM9OdLs

You can also revisit the trailers from earlier years:
Video Trailer 24 – https://youtu.be/9hCT6q_TkXI?si=xTLmlhZWFbt-pSdS
Video Trailer 23 – https://youtu.be/m73bqSX1JCg?si=xWdbFbVzOjDknyCy

Under the IIFF initiative, we continue to build connections across continents, expanding the reach of creators on the periphery and cultivating a thriving global network.

At KATZE, we shine a light on new voices, urgent perspectives, and hidden cinematic gems that often go unseen.

Unleash your creativity. Explore the unknown. Embrace the edge.

SANTA BARBARA INDIE FILM FESTIVAL - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

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

NEW FOR 2026: AI FILM CATEGORY
​
This isn't about replacing traditional filmmaking. It's about expanding what's possible.

For 2026 we're thrilled to announce our brand new AI Film Category! Whether you're experimenting with AI-generated visuals, crafting scripts with AI assistance, or creating entirely new worlds through prompts – we want to see what you're making.

​We're still celebrating the indie spirit, youth voices, and local talent that make our festival special. Now we're also embracing AI as a creative tool and giving filmmakers a place to showcase their innovations.

VIEW SUBMISSION RULES BELOW! Important: Check out our AI guidelines to make sure your film is in the right category!

​Why Submit to SB Indie Film Fest?
​
Celebrate Independent Cinema - We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to showcasing fearless filmmaking from indie, local and youth filmmakers.
Multiple Categories - Narrative features, documentaries, shorts, youth films, local films, and now AI films.
Awards & Recognition - We are an IMBD listed festival. We also give out Trophies for category winners, plus other special awards and prizes.
Historic Venue - Screen your work at the beautiful Alhecama Theater in downtown Santa Barbara.

Community Connection - Meet fellow filmmakers, industry insiders, and passionate film lovers

Questions?
Not sure which category is right for your film? Curious about our AI guidelines? Want to know more about the festival? We're here to help – reach out anytime!

India Cine Film Festival has its roots almost a decade back in northern India. The festival was launched in Meerut and was concluded successfully in Noida with participation from almost 18 countries. In year 2014 the Miniboxoffice has adopted the festival officially from its organizers and Indian Cine Film Festival are now moving with passionate minds of Miniboxoffice. The ICFF-26 aim is to give momentum to the independent cinema.

The ICFF objective is to create a platform for the meeting, sharing & development of great cinematic ideas. The festival along with international competitive films screenings also holds a film market & industry oriented master classes & discussions. The festival will provide a central point where industry people can share business and new opportunities shall be created for new talent.

The 14th edition of Indian Cine Film Festival is aimed to set new milestone and it’s an endeavor of Miniboxoffice to make it relevant for each & every participant. With this I welcome you all & see you at ICFF-26 with your cinematic craft.

WSO Theatre & Film Festival is a four-day celebration of theatre and film based in the Midlands of South Carolina, uniting artists, audiences, and industry professionals from across the state and beyond. Produced by WOW Studio One, a woman-led theatre, television, and film company, the festival provides a platform for diverse voices and authentic stories through film screenings, staged productions, workshops, master classes, networking events, pitch sessions, audition opportunities, and a red-carpet awards gala.

Our mission is to inspire, educate, and empower by giving both emerging and established artists the chance to showcase their work, connect with industry leaders, and gain tools to further their creative careers. With opportunities to pitch projects, audition for future productions, and network with decision-makers, the festival goes beyond exhibition to create direct pathways for professional growth. We are committed to accessibility, offering affordable entry and programming that bridges rural and urban communities while positioning Columbia and the Midlands as a cultural hub for the Southeast.

Whether you are a filmmaker, playwright, actor, or creative visionary, the WSO Theatre & Film Festival is more than an event—it’s a statewide movement of collaboration, inspiration, and affirmation. Join us in Columbia, SC, for a transformative weekend where stories take center stage and new opportunities are born.

Awards & Prizes

The Film and Video Poetry Society Presents:
The 2026 Film and Video Poetry Symposium

Poets, writers, filmmakers, animators, media and video artists are called to submit their work to the 2026 Film and Video Poetry Symposium.

The Symposium will celebrate and screen a large scope of film and video projects developed primarily through the medium of poetry. FVPSociety will present a series of panels, guest speakers, workshops, and public dialogues over the course of the symposium. In addition to these activities and screenings, programmers also curate and present a 30-day media gallery exhibition.

The Film and Video Poetry Symposium will accept submissions of poetry films, filmpoems, digital-poetry, poetry video, choreopoems, Cin(E)-Poetry, spoken word film and videos, videopoems, visual poetry, poetronica, media poetry, and film and video works that are driven by onscreen text.

The Film and Video Poetry Symposium also calls for experimental film and video. This includes non-narrative work as well as the avant-garde. We strongly consider work that challenges traditional and current visual communication methods while continuing to function as a mode for exploring narrative forms and personal expression. Experimental work that explores language and/or literature whether it is oral, written, visual, or symbolic are also encouraged.

The Film and Video Poetry Symposium also calls for essay film, works of epistolary cinema, documentaries, artist moving image, performance art film and video, animation, and oratorical works.

Lastly, The Film and Video Poetry Symposium seeks digital art projects including but not limited to artificial intelligence, virtual reality, 360° Video, works that explore ASMR, video mapping, media installation proposals, and video art presentations that feature, hybrid, or contain aspects of poetry.

DEADLINE: August 31, 2026

NOTIFICATION BEGINS: OCTOBER 1, 2026

PROGRAM ANNOUNCED: October 5, 2026