The FIC AUTOR (Author's International Film Festival) is interested in unique and artistic films that exceed the limits of traditional storytelling. We look for Feature and Short Films that reflect the director's personal creative vision, and a style that is distinct enough to shine through the collective process.
WE ONLY CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOW IN YOUR FILM, how CREATIVE you are and how you tell the story, that's it. We don't care if your film has recognized stars or unknown names, if it was shot with an Arri or a DSLR, if it has been accepted to a thousand festivals or none. We don’t base our decisions regarding your gender, sexual orientation, color of your skin, or ethnicity like other festivals. We are against the politics and bureaucracy that flood the film industry. 100% of the films accepted come from the submissions, we don't invite films. We want to be recognized as an objective festival with a tough competition and the most creative global cinema in our theaters!
We're partners with RAINDANCE Film School MX, so if you're one of our selected filmmakers, you will also screen your film there and have the chance to teach a masterclass in one of the most important film schools in the world and who knows, maybe be spotted by Elliot himself!
The FIC AUTOR will take place in November in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México and Tequila Jalisco. We will present the very best films from around the world, ranging from the most unexpected-creative low budget films from unknown filmmakers, to films made by experienced/well known directors. Mano a mano, this competition is tough! FIC AUTOR will strive to be one of the most important cultural events in the city. We aspire to become an international spotlight for new directors!
In the 7th edition we presented the first Honorary Ring to our 1st guest of honor, the Academy Award nominee actress Yalitza Aparicio ("Rome" dir. Alfonso Cuarón) We will continue inviting interesting talents from different fields.
-The 13 winning Authors will receive the WINNER LAUREL, plus FIC AUTOR trophy or rings.
-WINNERS will be announced one month before the award ceremony, so all the nominated filmmakers can decide beforehand whether they want to travel to the festival.
-The Cineforo is one of the biggest cinema theaters in the city with 440 seats, and is the most prestigious.
CATEGORIES:
Feature Films Categories:
-Fictional Feature Films.
-Documentary Feature Films.
-Experimental Feature Films.
-First-Time Filmmaker.
-Low Budget Feature Films Under 50K USD.
-Mexican Feature Films. (For Mexican directors only)
Medium Length Category:
-Medium Length Films. (Any kind)
Short Films Categories:
-Fictional Short Films.
-Documentary Short Films.
-Experimental Short Films.
-Animated Short Films.
-Mexican Short Films. (For Mexican directors only)
-Cineminuto 1 minute Short Films.
The Asian Art Film Festival (Asian Art Film Festival, abbreviated as AAFF) is approved by the relevant authorities of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government.
It is jointly presented by the Asian Art Film Festival Association and the Macao International Art Film Association.
As one of the region’s most artistically driven and aesthetically distinguished international film festivals, AAFF is dedicated to advancing the spirit of cinematic exploration and artistic integrity across Asia.
Held annually, the Asian Art Film Festival (AAFF) focuses on curating outstanding films from across Asia, with particular attention to exceptional works by emerging and independent filmmakers.
Through its competition and selection mechanisms, the festival highlights films that reflect the human condition, engage with social and humanitarian issues, uphold fairness and justice, and demonstrate artistic innovation with profound cultural insight.
AAFF aspires to champion works of enduring artistic value and to showcase cinematic classics refined through imagination, creativity, and bold original vision.
The International “Maroof” Festival organized by “Headquarters for Enjoining Good” aims to enhance social awareness, foster dialogue between artists and the community, and promote the culture of moral and social responsibility rooted in Islamic values. Following the success of its first edition, which introduced many outstanding artistic works, the second edition seeks to communicate its message in contemporary and impactful media forms.
This year’s festival places special emphasis on dynamic and shareable media formats such as short films, documentaries and animations—forms that combine visual appeal, strong narrative capacity, and accessibility through social media. Through these creative channels, Maroof Festival endeavors to present its message in innovative and influential formats, positioning itself as a pioneering cultural event promoting social ethics and responsibility.
In Islamic–Iranian culture, (amr-bil-Ma'roof and nahi anil munkar) (To guide toward goodness and away from iniquity") is not merely an individual duty—it is a collective social responsibility that requires public awareness and participation. Experience has shown that direct preaching of this principle, especially to younger generations, is often less effective. In today’s world, art and media serve as the most concise and powerful means of conveying cultural messages, inspiring creativity, and engaging society through compelling and relatable storytelling.
Themes:
1. Promoting social justice through moral responsibility.
2. The role of amr-bil-Ma'roof (ordering for acknowledged virtues) in saving resources and responsible consumption.
3. The place of this principle in building a modern Islamic civilization.
4. Promoting modesty, chastity, and moral lifestyles.
5. Gaza and the moral responsibility of Muslims.
6. The consequences of social indifference.
7. Social responsibility and civic ethics.
8. Responsible advocacy in improving administrative structures.
Special Screenings
This section presents selected works from filmmakers, countries, or curated collections (films, photographs, or multimedia projects) that align with the festival’s mission, promoting intercultural dialogue within the Islamic world and beyond.
Panels and Workshops
A series of discussions, lectures, roundtables, and training sessions featuring filmmakers, researchers, and media scholars will be held from the opening of the festival secretariat through the festival period, focusing on cinema, media, and the festival’s cultural goals.
Tributes and Honors
This section is dedicated to honoring distinguished veterans and commemorating late artists whose works have contributed significantly to the cultural and moral missions aligned with the festival’s values.
Additional Programs
• Photography Exhibitions
• Simultaneous events in provincial and cultural centers
• Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Ootpatang (Hindi, Colloquial) - The weird, absurd, or nonsensical.
The Ootpatang Festival is a one-day celebration of ajeeb and weird or nonsensical.
Of those who don’t fit in - short film screenings, live performances, and interactive workshops - for the weird, by the weird, held over one day in New Delhi, 2026.
This is a gathering of the super-normal, where you can show off your weird side and experience new and interesting experiences - from films that expand your understanding of narrative and ‘good taste’, live experiences that break through the noise of bland ‘content’, and most importantly, community of creative, artistic, and like-minded weirdos like yourself.
OPT will feature a dedicated film screening area throughout the day, a space for live performances and interactive experiences, and a large common area where all can gather to celebrate whatever is outside the mainstream, away from the norm, and off the kilter.
for the weird, by the weird.
Aqua Film Festival – International Film Festival organized by UNIVERSI ACQUA , Association with environmental, social, and territory enhancement purposes – selects short films, of any category and nationality, focused on the theme of WATER, and able to use the language of cinema to illustrate and interpret the social, ecological, cultural, naturalistic, and artistic aspects of this extraordinary and vital element.
The Eighth edition of Aqua Film Festival will take place from June 6th to 9th, 2024.
The films will be screened on Mymovies; The award ceremony will take place in Rome, on June 8th, in live streaming.
The INVITATION to participate to the selections of the Eighth edition of AquaFilmFestival is open from September 15th, 2023; deadline to send works is April 11th, 2024.
Around International Awards ✈ Barcelona ✈ Paris ✈ Amsterdam ✈ Berlin.
Annual Independent event with 4 major programs for all Features, Shorts, Documentaries, Experimental, Commercial, Music Video, Animations, Student Films, TV, Series, and New Media. The international community evaluates the all-genre creations to serve ARFF Official Laurels and to certify the awarded filmmakers at the end of the annual festival run. Thus, all the ARFF Finalists will be mentioned multiple times to have the best out of the entire year altogether. Submit today to participate in all 4 programs, regarding the unique system of ARFF International. Submissions made via Festhome are getting evaluated and selected, directly for the yearly festival run and participating in the Official Certificate Program exclusively. Monthly selection is available on other associated platforms.
See you Around & Fest Regards
Sixth exhibition of short films made by women. Only short films made and designed by women.
AVANCA Film Festival was awarded first place in 2011 contest of the support film festivals sponsored by ICA / Ministry of Culture.
An additional thematic programming has happened over all these years, giving space to screening of significant works of contemporary cinema appropriately framed in concerns and / or well-defined objectives.
The AVANCA is known as a space for workshops led by personalities of world cinema, and being more than a "master class", has allowed a unique cinema practice. Every year we have workshops, bringing together participants from all over Europe. The media have written that this is the largest European area of professional workshops in the field of cinema.
AVANCA is the only festival that congregates a Cinema International Competition, works from the television area, video and new supports of multimedia, with a special concern of exhibit the best world productions done in each category.
Since the first edition, the festival only accepts unprecedented films in Portugal.
The World Premiere competition is unique in our country and was only possible because Avanca became a passage point of unpublished authors and movies with great quality. Films that have their world premiere in the festival, independently of the submitted category, are also participating in the World Premiere Competition.
AVANCA is the Portuguese festival with the highest percentage of worldwide unpublished movies that find here their first showing.
Since 2010, we have organized the international film conference AVANCA | CINEMA, becoming the most important conference in the field of cinema in the Iberian Peninsula. This conference brings together speakers and participants from around the world.
Thematic exhibitions, editions of books, bibliographic presentations and various projects have marked the last years of AVANCA with the quality that compels the festival and the participants obviously require.
“One of the World's Leading Indie Film Fests” - The Hollywood Reporter
Rated among the top 5 Film Festivals worldwide for Independent Films by American film critic Chris Gore in his esteemed “Ultimate Film Festival Guide”, and ranked “Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker, Oldenburg has fostered its success with a strong commitment to innovative and Independent filmmaking.
“If there's anything that could be considered the Promised Land of Independent Cinema in Europe today, it is Oldenburg.” - Accred - L'actualité des festivals de cinéma
Labelled ‘the German Sundance’ by Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Screen International, amongst others, Oldenburg has evolved while preserving its intimate atmosphere and founding purpose: to celebrate and support the diverse voices and visions of independent filmmakers, to honor the creativity of the artists upon which the Festival depends, and to create a unique experience and inspiring meeting place for filmmakers, audiences, and media professionals.
“Oldenburg - renown for its determination, cinephilia, and openness for the extremes - impresses with its brilliant programming.” - GRIP
"In an industry increasingly dominated by IP-driven franchises and algorithm-approved content, the Oldenburg Film Festival continues to carve out space for the kind of fiercely personal, formally daring cinema that once defined independent film but has virtually vanished from theaters and the mainstream festival circuit...
It’s the purest filmmaker’s festival in the world, no ego, just cinema" - The Hollywood Reporter, 2025
“Oldenburg thrives as a discovery channel.” - Screen International
In addition to supporting the discovery of new artists, Oldenburg has hosted the German Premieres of films by such acclaimed filmmakers as Darren Aronofsky, Brian De Palma, Steven Soderbergh, Michael Polish, Johnnie To, Jane Schoenbrun, Chan-wook Park, Monte Hellmann, & Takeshi Kitano amongst others. Guests of honor have included Jim McBride, Larry Clark, Philippe de Broca, Andrzej Zulawski, Ken Russell, Jerry Schatzberg, Radley Metzger, Ted Kotcheff, Phedon Papmichael, George Armitage, Christophe Honoré, Edward R. Pressman, Bruce Robinson, William Friedkin, Ovidio Assonitis, and Peter & John Hyams who have all attended the festival for Retrospectives of their work.
“Just as impressive as the films was the festival itself, which, under the inspired direction of Torsten Neumann, combined intelligent cinephilia with a laid-back atmosphere of democratic equality.” - Sight and Sound
Nicolas Cage, Seymour Cassel, Keira Knightley, Deborah Kara Unger, Mira Sorvino, Bobcat Goldthwait, Sean Baker, Bella Thorne, Michael Wadleigh, Joanna Cassidy, Luke Wilson, Ben Gazzara, Stacy Keach, Amanda Plummer, Asia Argento, Lou Diamond Phillips, Keith Carradine, Matthew Modine, Andrea Rau, Tim Blake Nelson, Mattie Do, Noémie Merlant, Jen Gatien & Isild Le Besco are amongst many who have attended as honored guests or for Tributes in their honor.
“Alongside Venice and Toronto, Oldenburg is considered one of the most important Autumn Festivals for Independent Cinema” - de Telegraaf
"The indie event par excellence has a reputation for showcasing rock’n’roll indie cinema that challenges social mores and cinematic conventions with aplomb." - The Film Verdict
Rated #1 in Germany on The Most Important Autumn Film Festivals List for and by the German Film Industry (Blickpunkt Film), and #3 internationally after Venice & TIFF, Oldenburg is regarded as “one of the most important European festivals for independent cinema" (Tagesschau).
“Oldenburg is a pilgrimage for cineastes.”- Die Zeit
DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival is a product of MultiMedia Studio "Nositi".
The Festival will take place in the Capital city of Tirana.
The Palencia International Films Festival is organised by the Association Friends of the film and the Popular University of Palencia.
This edition is number 35, and during all these years, our philosphy has been considering cinema a tool of development and social cohesion.
Our festival colaborates with the Spanish Cinema Academy, and its a qualifyer festival for the GOYA shortfilm Awards.
In addition, the short film awarded the first prize by the jury at the MCIP (the Milagros Alcalde Award) will go directly to the Short List finalist of the FUGAZ Awards, making up the short list of films that will then be evaluated for nomination by the commission that awards these prizes each year.
The theme of the submitted short films is “Childhood, Youth, and Old Age. Beginnings and Endings.”
Therefore, short films must address topics related to childhood, youth, and old age—that is, the first and last stages of life.
AZYL SHORTS is a unique event in Slovakia as well as in Central Europe. We create a space for presenting the authors of short films and music videos. Our main goal is not only to carefully prepare the competition itself, but to create a platform which will ensure the promotion of the artists to the professional and general public alike.
We would be delighted to invite you to our four days event in Banská Bystrica in October 2026.
We have 3 competitive categories:
- 1 Minute Films
- 5 Minute Films
- Music videos
The programme includes the screenings of not only the competitive sections, but also the best shorts from Oscars, Cannes, Berlinale... and other prestigious festivals. Also curatorially compiled selections of our jurors from V4 countries at the Cinema of Museum SNP (Museum Of Slovak National Uprising). We will bring many more short films sections that are either geographically specified or theme focused such as Ukrainian selection of old school animated shorts, etc.
In our programme you can also find great side events – masterclasses, discussion, film workshop for young filmmakers and of course evening off-program as concerts, parties and film quizzes.
The best films from the festival will be presented not only in Slovakia, but also in different parts of the world, such as Hungary, Poland or Czech Republic, where the viewers will be able to see the best-ranked movies of the current year – The Best of AZYL 2026.
Pequecinema is a Touring Children's Film Festival that in 2026 will visit several towns across Spain, showcasing the best short films aimed at a young audience (from 2 to 15 years old).
Organized by CortoEspaña - Premios Fugaz (the main short film awards in Spain, chosen by more than 1,700 industry professionals), the event seeks to give visibility to works directed at younger audiences, while also promoting short films and fostering a love for the format among the youngest members of the household.
Since 1989, GIRI-DOOT (the leading adventure lovers’ association of Eastern India) has been organizing the International Adventure Film Festival
For 27 years, Giri Doot has proudly hosted this festival one of the country’s longest-running festivals dedicated to exploration, mountaineering, and the spirit of adventure. Now entering its 28th year, the festival continues to attract a vibrant community of climbers, explorers, filmmakers, journalists, and adventure enthusiasts from across the world.
The festival is more than a showcase of films — it is a cultural bridge that fosters international exchange and understanding through the powerful medium of cinema.
Over nearly three decades, it has grown into a celebrated platform where filmmakers and audiences come together to share stories of discovery, courage, and human connection with the natural world.
Each year, the festival presents films that capture the endless dreams of those who venture into the unknown — from daring ascents in the Himalayas to journeys across oceans and deserts. These films educate, inspire, and highlight adventure as not just sport, but also a way to understand our shared planet and its diverse cultures.
This year’s theme is “Himalaya Connects Mount Fuji”, symbolizing the bond between two iconic peaks and the spirit of unity that defines adventure storytelling.
In 2025, the International Adventure Film Festival enters a new chapter, with Bodhak Studio joining hands with Giri Doot to extend its reach and impact.
Together, we aim to continue building a forum that celebrates creativity, storytelling, and the activism inherent in adventure.
From high-altitude expeditions to journeys into remote communities, from adrenaline to quiet reflection, we are excited to showcase the diversity of global adventure cinema.
As it is a touring festival we hold the festival at different places of India from Kashmir to Kanya Kumarika.
Why Submit?
With its 28-year legacy, the International Adventure Film Festival of India is the country’s oldest and most respected adventure film platform. Partnering with Bodhak Studio in 2025, the festival is expanding its vision to bring global adventure cinema to diverse Indian audiences, while spotlighting new voices in the genre.
Join us as we celebrate bold, beautiful stories of terrain, resilience, and the human spirit.
Adventure Film (under 90 minutes)
Adventure Short Film (under 20 minutes)
Student Film (under 15 mins)
The Mediterranean International Youth Film Festival is a global cinematic platform run by filmmakers from several countries. Held in Alexandria, Egypt, it is dedicated to celebrating young, independent filmmakers from around the world.
The festival focuses on supporting creative talent, showcasing new voices, and providing a unique environment for international networking among filmmakers, critics, producers, and distributors.
The ten-day festival offers film screenings, Q&A sessions, advanced workshops, meetings with industry experts, artist residencies, and extensive professional development opportunities.
The festival takes place annually from February 1 to 15 at various venues in Alexandria.
Since 2021, in the heart of San Frediano and other locations across Florence, Sentiero Film Factory has been a festival dedicated to promoting young filmmakers and independent cinema, with a special focus on short films, feature films, and first and second works. Now in its sixth edition, the festival continues to grow, offering a unique experience for both audiences and industry professionals.
Over ten days of exclusive screenings, featuring more than 40 international titles, including national and world premieres, accompanied by special guests from around the world. A rich program of workshops, masterclasses, artistic residencies, and a dedicated space for young people and children.
A key event for emerging cinema, where directors, professionals, and film enthusiasts come together for talks, literary meetings, and many other immersive experiences in the world of cinema.
