Blog: Film festivals

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.

23rd IN THE PALACE will take place in the Palace of Culture Pernik (Pernik, Bulgaria) from June 27th until July 4th 2026.
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 consists 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 has organized the International Interdisciplinary Science Conference.

14th 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.

Call for Entries — 4th Edition of the Kreyol International Film Festival (KIFF)

We are pleased to announce the Call for Films for the fourth edition of the Kreyol International Film Festival (KIFF) — the only festival dedicated to the Creole Worlds, taking place from September 24 to 30, 2026, in Paris.

A generalist yet unique festival, KIFF celebrates and highlights the cultures, histories, philosophies, and environments of the Creole Worlds, offering an international stage to films of exceptional richness and diversity.

Please note that the organizing association reserves the right to adopt a hybrid format (in-person and online) if necessary, in order to increase KIFF’s visibility.

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Who Can Participate?

The Kreyol International Film Festival is open to all filmmakers, regardless of origin or nationality — whether they speak a Creole language or not.

Your film is welcome if it explores, directly or metaphorically, themes related to the Creole Worlds and reflects their authenticity, depth, and cultural richness. KIFF provides an international platform that seeks to showcase diverse talents and distinctive perspectives.

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

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Filming Locations and Perspectives

We warmly welcome films shot anywhere in the world, though special attention will be given to works produced or filmed in Creole-speaking regions.

Whether your film draws from traditional stories or explores contemporary or futuristic themes, your contribution is essential to enriching the dialogue and understanding surrounding Creole cultures.

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Diversity of Characters

We also encourage the submission of films that feature main or supporting characters of Creole descent, helping to showcase the diversity of Creole communities around the world.

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A Stage for Creole Voices — and Beyond

The Kreyol International Film Festival celebrates the universal reach of Creole cultures and their 129 Creole international languages of all lexical bases (French, English, Portuguese, Dutch, and others).

While special attention will be given to films in Creole (with subtitles), this is not a requirement.
All languages are welcome.

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Production Dates

- For films submitted via Festhome in the National and International Competition:
- production date after January 1, 2021.
- For films in the BLACK LIVES MATTER : production date after January 1, 2011.
- #METOO BLACK VOICE categories: production date after January 1, 2017.
- For films in the PIONEERS category (submission by email only, outside Festhome): production date after January 1, 1977 and before January 1, 2007.

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Number of Submissions

Each filmmaker may submit up to three (3) films in total.

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Submission Deadlines

Please note the following deadlines for submitting your films to KIFF2026 (subject to change) :

- Early deadline: April 30, 2026
- Official deadline: May 31, 2026
- Late deadline: June 30, 2026
- Selection announcement: July 29, 2026

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After reviewing the official KIFF Regulations (link below), submit your films and become part of this historic cinematic adventure.
Leave your mark on the story of the Kreyol International Film Festival.

Use the hashtags #KIFF2026 #Kreyollywood #KreyolInternationalFilmFestival to share and promote your participation.

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 22nd edition of Biografilm we are pleased to officially launch the call for both national and international films to participate in the Festival, in Bologna, 05-15 June 2026.

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/

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.

Kids Festival.

After a successful first edition, the Denys Film Festival returns for its second edition, celebrating creativity, boldness, and cinematic discovery. This annual event honors young talents in international cinema, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts for two days of screenings, discussions, and encounters in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The festival is dedicated to fiction short films that push the boundaries of storytelling and form. We proudly showcase the work of independent filmmakers with unique and visionary perspectives. Our mission is to offer a platform for emerging voices and give audiences the opportunity to discover innovative films that explore deep and thought-provoking 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.

“Cinechicú 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 sixth edition of the festival will take place between October 17 to 24, 2025 in an itinerant manner in Tenjo - Cundinamarca under the slogan ”NARRATIVES THAT INSPIRE FROM SPORT", focusing—but not exclusively—on works that address topics related to sports, fostering a culture of life, recreation, and collective care.

Audiovisual works will be received about free themes and genres between 3 and 30 minutes long, produced from 2023 onwards.

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.

The Watoto International Film Festival - Zanzibar is currently accepting applications from filmmakers from around the world according to different categories of competition.

The Watoto International Film Festival - Zanzibar (WIFF Zanzibar) is East Africa’s first and largest Children's film and arts festival, exhibiting the latest and best films and promoting film talents from across the African continent and beyond.

The 1st Edition of WIFF Zanzibar will take place on 11th -14th March 2021 in Zanzibar.

The theme of the festival is 'Chei'Chei - Hello' and will prioritize African cinema and cinema from the African diaspora and the rest of the world.

WIFF Zanzibar also opens the call to films from different regions around the world.

The ninth edition of 24 Risas por Segundo, Comedy Film Festival, will be held on May 6 to 11 in Mexico City and that is why we CALL Mexican and foreign filmmakers to register their comedy films (short films and feature films) to be part of our programme.

The Garanhuns Film Festival – Affective Territories will be held in May 2025, in the city of Garanhuns, in the state of Pernambuco. The festival aims to promote independent audiovisual productions, focusing on short films, both national and international, that explore the theme "Affective Territories."

ONLY FOR SPANISH FILMMAKERS // SOLO PARA CINEASTAS ESPAÑOLES (EXCEPT THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY SECTION, WHICH IS INTERNATIONAL)

Aladerri International Film Festival (AIFF) is an dedicated to the celebration of ‘Short Films’ a multi-day event in Chicago supporting filmmakers and giving them an opportunity to showcase their work in an effort to bring the most inspiring and impactful voices forward.

AIFF has been created to showcase both National and International works by emerging and established artists who are passionate about storytelling via the art of filmmaking.

We aim to share great stories with the audience, while supporting independent filmmakers across the World and will screen all films accepted into “Official Selection” in front of a live audience and the opportunity to have Q&A session with on-site filmmakers September 26- 28, 2025.

Syncro is a national and international short film festival dedicated to elevating and showcasing the short film format. The festival offers a new approach to viewing short films by programming each film in an individual screening. We firmly believe that short films are not a lesser format or merely a learning stage in filmmaking. On the contrary, they represent cinema in its most potent and compact expression.

Participation Rules

III FANTLLANES

Festival Objective

The III FANTLLANES will take place from May 29 to May 31, 2025, in Llanes. Its goal is to promote and recognize creativity and talent in the field of fantasy cinema, providing a platform for filmmakers in this genre.

Important Dates

Submissions open: March 6, 2025.
Submission deadline: April 30, 2025.
Festival dates: May 29 to May 31, 2025.
Participation Requirements

National and international short films and feature films belonging to the fantasy genre in any of its variations (science fiction, horror, thriller, etc.) may participate.
General Conditions

Each participant may submit up to two works.
The works must have been produced within the last two years.
Short films previously submitted to past editions of FANTLLANES will not be accepted.
Format and Submission

Short films must be submitted in digital format.
Submissions must be sent via download link or through online platforms.
Selection and Jury

A selection committee will evaluate the submitted works and choose those that will enter the competition phase.
The festival jury will be composed of film and cultural professionals.
Awards will be granted in different categories, which will be announced soon.
Exhibition Rights

Participants grant the organization the exhibition rights for the selected works exclusively for screening at the festival.
Acceptance of the Rules

Participation in the III FANTLLANES implies acceptance of these rules.

We are a platform for the exchange of ideas between young filmmakers and seasoned members of the film industry. A source of energy to promote the exhibition, learning and development of the film industry in the southern region of Veracruz.