Blog: Film festivals

Brace yourself for spine-chilling, edge-of-your-seat horror that taps directly into primal fear. In this category, "Terror" films dig deep into psychological torment, leaving audiences haunted by what they’ve seen—and what they didn’t see. From sinister atmospheres to relentless suspense, these films unnerve and unsettle without needing to rely on blood and gore. They’re the nightmares you can’t wake up from, the monsters lurking in the dark, and the creeping dread that something might be watching. For films that embody sheer, raw fear, this is where they belong.

CineFem, the First International Women's Film Festival of Uruguay, whose first edition was held in Salto (Uruguay) but that from then on was permanently developed in Punta del Este, is a space to reflect on the role of women in cinema and in our society. CineFem, the woman's view.

The World Wildlife Film Festival is an online celebration of the environment, nature, and the human relationship with the planet. This festival seeks to inspire, inform, and encourage action through powerful visual storytelling that highlights the beauty of the natural world, the challenges it faces, and the sustainable solutions we can adopt to protect it.

Through diverse narratives, from documentaries and short films to animations and experimental visuals, the festival aims to spark meaningful conversations around environmental conservation, climate change, and eco-friendly lifestyles. We invite filmmakers, activists, nature lovers, and change-makers from across the globe to come together and celebrate the planet we share.

Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) is one of the oldest world film forums (the second after the Venice Film Festival). The Moscow International Film Festival has been leading its history since 1935. Then the chairman of the jury was Sergey Eisenstein, and the film Chapaev opened the first festival. However, in subsequent years the festival was not held regularly. Therefore, the Moscow International Film Festival has officially counted down since 1959, when it was renewed and turned into a regular event - it was carried out over odd years, alternating with the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. In 1999 MIFF became an annual event.

Anatomy Crime - Horror International Film Festival (A.C.H.I.F.F.) is an annual international event dedicated for independent filmmakers. Established this year by “THE BASEMENT” a nonprofit and non-governable Cultural and Education Organization (B.C.E.O.).

Located in the city of Athens, we look forward to be hosting an amazing event with you and your friends. The A.C.H.I.F.F. is a multi-day event that takes place each Halloween (October 31st) at venues throughout Athens-Greece. The A.C.H.I.F.F. want to be a world recognized event, with industry, filmmakers, and press attention from around the globe. The festival is competitive, screening approximately 50-60 films each year.

The film industry today is largely monopoly-based and dependent on large scale budgets for productions to succeed. However, this festival aims at providing a voice for those who don't have a massive budget at their hands but nevertheless, an important story to tell.

According to one of the objectives of our non-profit organization to providing a platform for indie filmmakers, we are able to provide an affordable solution catered to advance the cause of independent filmmaking.

ATTENTION: EVEN ENGLISH FILM WITHOUT SAME-LANGUAGE SUBTITLES OR HARD SUBTITLES BE DISQUALIFIED. ALL FILMS MUST HAVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES IN OPEN FORMAT WITH EXTENSION .SRT OR .TXT

The Los Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival aims to showcase crime drama, true crime, horror, and related subgenres from around the world.

We provide independent filmmakers with a platform to connect with audiences, industry professionals, and fellow filmmakers who share their passion for crime and horror cinema.

With live screenings at a historic theater in Hollywood, the LA Crime and Horror Film Festival gives recognition to the independent films and filmmakers in crime and horror storytelling.

Winners considered by Hollywood production companies reps, and streaming platforms including:

ZERO GRAVITY
THE BLOOD LIST / BRILLSTEIN
THINK TANK MANAGEMENT
TXL FILMS
BINGE HORROR
... and more.

The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) is a film festival that embraces diversity and inclusivity! TINFF is a Telefilm Canada and IMDb-qualifying film festival. https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0010686/2019/1

The Toronto International Film Festival (TINFF) invites you to come to enjoy the diversity that brings local and international films, filmmakers, and artists to the beautiful city of Toronto every year.

The objective of TINFF is to be a prominent film festival in Toronto that celebrates the diversity that defines our beautiful city. The primary goal is to advance creative, independent filmmaking through diversity, innovation, and uniqueness by capturing a series of movements and experiences in a single film. We support, screen, and present music and films from around the world in order to help them find an audience and diversify the film industry as a whole.

The festival's programs and activities will initiate programs that address the capacity building of its organizational structure and personnel while also investing heavily in the development of its stakeholder group and providing support for strategic activities that address major challenges and opportunities.

This year's festival and activity projects will include conferences, screenings with Q&A, live music performances, stage plays, and dance, as well as several audience development activities involving workshop training and mentorship programs in various capacities geared toward increasing workforce capacity and putting diversity and inclusion at the center of its annual program and objectives.

The CBDFM Summit:

As part of the annual festival program, the TINFF-Market, also known as the "Canada Black & Diversity Film Market," will focus on business development, providing support to organizations for business-to-business (B2B) industry activities and business-to-consumer (B2C) audience development activities that bring opportunities for new business leads, collaboration, sales, distribution, and relationships.

Our programs and activities will be offered in three phases to ensure effective planning and execution:

• Festival programs will feature, among other things, screenings with Q&A, interviews, conferences, and seminars.

• Workshops and Training, Mentorship, and Masterclasses: Bridging the Gap in Skills Development Programs

• Acquisitions, networking, production collaboration, negotiations, sales, exhibition screenings, meetings (one-on-one or group meetings), and conferences are all part of the Film Market Summit.

Our initiatives, as a creative hub for filmmakers and industry stakeholders, are geared toward developing opportunities for all Canadians and international filmmakers and stakeholders, with a focus on the marginalized Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) groups.

The Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) is a year-round award competition and live screening festival held in Toronto each year. Every year, we hold a festival event and an award ceremony to celebrate diversity in film. We warmly welcome filmmakers from all around the world to Toronto.

Following the announcement and notification of the Official Selected Films, we will go on to the next stage of the selection process and announce the TINFF Festival Finalists who will compete at the live festival event in Toronto. The names of all Finalists will be published on the TINFF festival website and on the TINFF Facebook page.

TINFF is a music and film festival with an awards ceremony that honours and fosters filmmakers by recognizing, promoting, challenging, and building knowledge of equality, social justice, non-discrimination, diversity, and multiculturalism.

in ROME the festival that was missing!!!
THE ARTWORK FILM FESTIVAL

Since 1983 the Cinema Azzurro Scipioni has been dedicated to the diffusion of auteur cinema, of the masterpieces of the history of cinema, and of quality and independent cinema.

After a three-year restoration, in May 2024 the Azzurro Scipioni cinema reopened its doors stronger than before.

Always considered the point of reference for arthouse cinema in Rome and in Italy, a film festival organized in the temple of independent and quality cinema, a point of reference for lovers of auteur cinema, could not be missed.

Cinema Azzurro Scipioni – Where Cinema is art
This is the slogan of cinema, and through the festival we want to make known the works of filmmakers from all over the world.

5 days of screenings, meetings, debates and screenings in the presence of authors, journalists and experts in the sector.

Silvano Agosti is the founder and deus ex machina of cinema and the artistic director of the festival.

OUT OF COMPETITION EVENTS AND CHAPLIN AWARD

During the festival, out-of-competition works will be screened, including fiction films, animations, documentaries, short films and experimental works that will be selected by the artistic director and the jury.

Works that will give space to debates and masterclasses of all kinds. On the day dedicated to the festival awards, the historic CHAPLIN AWARD of the Azzurro Scipioni cinema will also be awarded.

The award, conceived by Silvano Agosti, has in the past been awarded to names of the caliber of Michelangelo Antonioni, Marco Bellocchio, Ennio Morricone, Nicola Piovani, Alejandro Jodorowsky and many other authors who have graced the Azzurro Scipioni grounds. Building on its history, the Charlie Chaplin award will be awarded to new talents so that they emerge and bring new life to Italian cinema.

Calling all independent filmmakers! Screamfest® Film Festival is back for its 25th annual 10-day event, showcasing the best in horror cinema from around the world. Held this October at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Los Angeles, our festival is a must-attend event for horror fans and industry professionals alike.

Don't just take our word for it - some of the biggest horror publications have dubbed us the 'Sundance of Horror.' Our festival has also been featured in 2024 New York Times at Top 5 Halloween Festivals Worth Traveling For. Moviemaker Magazine's lists of 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for 2023, 50 Best Genre Fests in the World 2021, 25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee & 13 Film Festivals to Die For, and 30 Bloody Best Genre Fests in the World 2019.

As the largest and longest-running horror film festival in the United States, we have a proud history of discovering and showcasing groundbreaking films. Paranormal Activity, for example, was discovered and premiered at our festival in 2007.

Join us for a spine-tingling lineup of new genre films and premieres, including past hits such as Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, Dead Ant, Trick 'r' Treat, 30 Days of Night, The Human Centipede, and American Mary. And don't forget to check out our YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/2MYvdFt, where you can view past Screamfest® short films. Submit your work now for your chance to be a part of the legacy!

Les Regards de L’ICART returns this year for its 7th edition!

Initiated by cinema enthusiasts in a constant quest for novelty, this film platform aims to reward and showcase the work of young filmmakers for an evening dedicated to short films.

This 7th edition will honor emerging talents from all backgrounds, with a prize of €1500 for the first place winner.

Attention all young filmmakers and aspiring directors, join us at the Cinémathèque Française on March 10, 2025, for a new international selection. Experience cinema on a grand scale!

The Event :

The awards will be presented to the winners after the screening of a selection of films on Monday, March 10, during a special evening at the Cinémathèque Française.

Founded in 2003, IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival is dedicated to short films, new media and digital arts. Originating as a competitive forum for student films, it has grown to be a recognized platform for the expression of both young artists and established professionals – the only one of its kind in Bulgaria serving this particular sector of contemporary culture, and one of the oldest short film forums on the Balkans.

IN THE PALACE 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 is a member of the international network of festivals and institutions serving the short film sector – the Short Film Conference.

22nd IN THE PALACE will take place in the Palace of Culture Pernik (Pernik, Bulgaria) from June 28th until July 5th 2025.

IN THE PALACE is an established international festival dedicated to short films and digital arts and also presents special competitive programs for feature films and film series.

The program consistс of several main components:

• International and national, professional and student competitive programs in fiction, documentary, animation, experimental - for short and feature films and series

• ON FOCUS film programs & screenings

• Q & A sessions

• FILMER FORGE: industry market, industry meetings, film pitching session, educational program

• International Interdisciplinary Science Conference

• Video library

• Film events and initiatives for general audience

• Parties

IN THE PALACE takes place over a week and offers a range of events, activities, and programs for both - local and international film industry and audience. IN THE PALACE is a cultural meeting point of film industry, artists, students, educational institutions, and the general public, that provides access to the latest trends, developments, and learning in the arts and culture through screenings, training and interdisciplinary exchange. Since 2018 the Festival organizes the International Interdisciplinary Science Conference.

13th of the Sant Andreu de la Barca Film Festival and framework of the Oriana Awards delivery
The gala is held at the Nuria Espert Theater, where in one night the work of a year of filmmakers of short films, documentaries, web series and feature films is brought together.

We are pleased to announce the call for submissions for the 3rd edition of the Kreyol International Film Festival (KIFF), which will take place from September 26 to 30, 2025, in Paris.

This unique, general-interest festival is committed to combining singularity and universality, showcasing the richness and diversity of visions and talents of artists.

It celebrates and highlights the cultures, histories, philosophies, environments, and languages of the Creole Worlds.

It provides an opportunity for cinematic works that rarely have the chance to be screened in theaters in mainland France.

Who Can Participate

KIFF is open to all filmmakers, regardless of origin or nationality, whether they are Creole speakers or not.

Your film is welcome if it explores, either directly or metaphorically, themes related to the Creole Worlds and reflects the authenticity and depth of these cultures.

Whether you are an established or emerging director, we invite you to share your vision and voice through your art.

Locations and perspectives

We warmly welcome films shot in any region of the world, but particular attention will be given to works produced and filmed in Creole-speaking regions. Whether your films are rooted in traditional narratives or explore contemporary or dystopian perspectives, your contribution is vital to enrich the dialogue and understanding of Creole cultures.

Diversity of characters

We also encourage the participation of films where the main and secondary characters are of Creole origin, thus highlighting the diversity of the communities.

A stage for Creole voices and beyond

The Kreyol International Film Festival celebrates the global reach of Creole cultures and its 127 Creole languages of various lexical bases (French, English, Portuguese, Dutch, etc.). Particular attention will be given to films in original Creole language – with subtitles – but this is not an exclusive condition. All languages are welcome.

Why participate?

The Kreyol International Film Festival is an exceptional platform to showcase your work, network with film professionals from around the world, and be part of an event that celebrates cultural diversity and richness. It's a unique opportunity to make your creation shine and contribute to a better understanding and appreciation of Creole cultures.

We are looking for works that challenge, educate, and inspire, while celebrating the universality of Creole expression. We eagerly anticipate discovering your works and sharing them with a passionate and diverse audience at this second edition of KIFF.

After reviewing the conditions outlined in the KIFF regulations, submit your films and become an integral part of this unique cinematic adventure. Leave your mark on the history of the Kreyol International Film Festival!

Then use #KIFF2025 to talk about KIFF on social media.

Biografilm is known internationally as the cinematic event entirely dedicated to life stories and to quality cinema. Biografilm is organised by the Fanatic About Festivals association, under the Artistic Direction of Chiara Liberti and Massimo Benvegnù.

Biografilm promotes growth, development, knowledge, dialogue and inclusivity through the use of the cinematic language in all its forms, like art, entertainment and industry. By telling real lives and stories, it aims to create a free, democratic space with no distinction.

For the upcoming 21st edition of Biografilm we are pleased to officially launch the call for both national and international films to participate in the Festival, in Bologna, 06-16 June 2025.

For more detailed information regarding the event, programmes from previous editions, news about the upcoming edition and about Biografilm’s activity throughout the year, we kindly invite you to visit the Festival’s website: www.biografilm.it/en/

The FestiBaldo was born with great enthusiasm and also a lot of effort, in the Sant Roc neighborhood (Badalona), in 2022. It is a festival organized by the 4th year ESO students of the Institut Escola Baldomer Solà.

Given that we, the 4th year ESO students, are at the end of the road at this educational stage, we are faced with concerns, fears and many doubts about the future, so we would like to see the representation of adolescents who are in the same situation as us.

Kids Festival.

Come discover the DENYS FILM FESTIVAL, a new annual event that celebrates the creativity and originality of young talents in international cinema. This first edition will be held in May 2025 in Saint-Denis and will bring together filmmakers, actors, and film buffs for a unique moment of sharing, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Our festival is dedicated to short fiction films that go off the beaten track, and we make it a point of honor to promote the works of independent directors with unique universes. Our goal is to provide a stage for tomorrow's talents, allowing audiences to discover cutting-edge films that explore deep and captivating themes.

Highlight the talents of directors in short formats,

Promote meetings between different players in the cinema and audiovisual sector.

Offer the opportunity to broadcast their production on the big screen.

“Cine Chicu Short Film Festival”, organized annually by the “Instituto de Cultura y Turismo de Tenjo - IMCTT”, is an event dedicated to the exhibition of short audiovisual films that allows the public to approach and enjoy the creativity and diversity of cinematographic language, while providing scenarios for meeting, reflection and training around the audiovisual.

The fifth edition of the festival will take place between December 6 to 11, 2024 in an itinerant manner in Tenjo - Cundinamarca under the slogan “A crossing for the protection of life”, focusing - without being exclusive- on works related to the environment and ecology, which promote, in a creative way, the respect and care of ecosystems.

Audiovisual works will be received about free themes and genres between 3 and 30 minutes long, produced from 2022 onwards that have not been awarded in Cundinamarca, Colombia.

More information at: https://tenjoculturayturismo.gov.co/festival-de-cortometrajes-conectando-la-sabana/

One of the most interesting film festivals in Northern Europe. A cultural event that introduces new relevant films and film culture to both the public and professionals.

The purpose of the festival is to influence the cultural agenda, be accessible to the public and industry with film screenings, workshops, lectures, debates, film cafés, exhibitions, and entertainment.