www.OpenWorldAnimation.com
www.TheAlternativeGallery.com
Open World Animation Festival encourages creators to explore the frontiers of animation through both traditional & emerging mediums. Its mission is to help general audiences understand the artistry in animation and its diversity of subject matter. It aims to showcase many voices, styles, & perspectives. Anyone is welcome to take part!
For the 2026 Festival we are partnering with the Roxy Theatre as our official screening location! This 450-seat venue is one of only 600 surviving independent theaters in the Nation. The Roxy Theatre is equipped with DLP Cinema for a state of the art cinematic experience!
http://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com
Open World also features animation retrospectives, Virtual Reality set-ups, GIF displays, a cereal bar & more!
The festival began in 2016 as a series of independent animation screenings from around the world, curated in a 4-day celebration of the medium. Open World is organized by the Alternative Gallery, a non-profit community art space, and is run 100% by volunteers.
The Alternative Gallery is located in Allentown, PA within the Cigar Factory Artist studios, featuring; exhibit & performance spaces, over 40 artist studios, a printshop, wood shop, darkroom, film archive, makerspace, classrooms & more. The organization & festival are both run 100% through the efforts of dedicated volunteers.
The International Festival of Intergenerational Short Films on the Elderly (FICMA) was born within the Federation of Associations of the Elderly of Salamanca (FAMASA) with the aim of providing a cultural offer that contributes to improving the quality of life of the elderly, even with dependence or disfunctions by bringing them closer to a full citizenship and offering the cultural heritage of which they are protagonists. It is celebrated every year between September and October since 2016 in the city of Salamanca, being a meeting of intergenerational culture
The Festival poses as a place of debate and discourse for questions such as: How has cinema treated old age? The reflection of the role of the elderly in the family, sentimental, emotional and social relationships. The positive or negative consequences of cinema into stereotypes and believings about the elder and even if it treats the same way both man and women.
The importance of dignifying the intergenerational relationships between youngsters and elderlies becames vital in order to find ways towards a better future.
OBJECTIVES
The goal of the FICMA is to achieve the people from Salamanca to be closer to the cinema from a third age perspective. This festival is a golden opportunity to offer a cinema party to the city and an active and positive vision from this part of the population.
The festival has as a goal to show the positive part of the elders and to reforce the intergenerationals relationships.
Cortomontagna prize is exclusively dedicated to short films.
The prize’s main theme is Mountain life, told and documented through a video that expresses the author's point of view and interpretation.
Possible takes on the main theme can range from the narration of sporting activities (skiing, climbing, hiking - for example), to naturalistic-environmental themes, to facts and life stories of communities or mountain territories.
The award has two categories:
- Short Films from the World, reserved for short films with an international character, concerning facts, situations, people and places beyond the borders of Italy.
- Short Films from Italy, reserved for short films concerning facts, situations, people and places within the borders of Italy.
At the time of entry, contestants will choose their preferred option on the entry form.
Everyone can take part in this competition.
Festival of fantasy and horror genre shorts, open to all types of filmmakers, whether professionals or amateurs. The festival will be held in the town of Roses (Spain), from November 19 to 22, 2026. We accept short films of the Fantastic, Horror, Animation, Gore, Freak and Trash genres.
La GEEK SHOCK CINEMA, on Sunday the 22th we will hold a marathon of short films, we are looking for underground, festival, comedy, gore and fantastic short films, fake trailers, so that the public can have fun, and shout at the screen, These short films that are selected WILL NOT ENTER THE COMPETITION, participation will be free, but we repeat, THEY WILL NOT ENTER THE COMPETITION, it will only be screened in said marathon, with a maximum of 15 minutes.
Cortos en Grande Short Film Festival is an event organized by Fundación Viart that seeks to promote young creation and give a new opportunity to new generations of filmmakers, highlighting and rewarding their work and talent. Its main objective is to be a platform for dissemination and real support for the development of emerging cinema, providing its filmmakers with a space for the presentation and development of their artistic proposals.
A horror film contest. Prizes include promotion on the Hollywood Investigator website, award plaques, screening at fan conventions (previous screenings at World Horror Con, Loscon, Tuscon.)
Tabloid Witch founder Thomas M. Sipos is the author of Horror Film Festivals and Awards (McFarland 2012) and Horror Film Aesthetics (McFarland 2010), available on Amazon.com.
XXVIII the International Short Film Show of the Bay of Pasaia, IKUSKA 2026.
The festival has an international short film competition in 5 screenings, and other parallel non-competition sessions related to the development of Basque and language coexistence (MINTZAGUN projection in collaboration with Oarsoaldea euskaltegis), Gender Equality (BEKOZ BEKO award in collaboration with the Association against gender violence Bekoz Beko), the promotion of culture in Pasaia and its surroundings, etc.
The cultural associations AlchemicartS and Gruppo Augusteo, in collaboration with Tetra Vision Production, are pleased to announce the 17th International Short Film Festival, "CORTISONANTI 2026," renowned for its innovation and well-organized filmmaking workshops in Naples, Italy.
The Central American Film Festival in Vienna has become a firmly rooted tradition, establishing itself as a key cultural event in the city.
Vienna, recognized as one of the world's most important cultural hubs, provides an ideal and prestigious platform to showcase the increasingly innovative and notable productions emerging from the Central American region.
This year, the festival returns from November 15 to 21, 2026, with the hope of once again welcoming our loyal audience, who will have the opportunity to enjoy the latest and most outstanding works of Central American cinema.
The program includes the categories of Feature Film, Short Film, Documentary, and Animation, along with several non-competitive parallel sections, including: "Pioneers of Central American Cinema," "Works in Progress," "Guest Film," "Bonus Films," and "Latin American Perspective," the latter dedicated to works portraying contemporary life in Latin America. All details are specified in the official festival regulations.
Filminute is the international one-minute film festival that challenges filmmakers, writers, animators, artists, designers, and creative producers to develop and submit the world's best one-minute films. www.filminute.com
Every autumn, for one month, the Filminute festival presents an extraordinary array of 25 films online, for viewers around the world to enjoy, share and discuss.
We are an independent festival dedicated to bring together established musicians and filmmakers in a forum to celebrate the short films. Dublin International Short Film and Music Festival celebrates the artistic, educational and historical importance of short films and music. It gives independent film artists a platform for sharing their work and creating a dialogue with the community. It promotes the discussion and study of filmmaking.
DISFMF is the largest independent short film festival in Ireland, in 2026 we are celebrating the 15th anniversary.
In 2025 we selected over 90 short films from all over the world, the festival has brought established, emerging and award-winning filmmakers to the public attention.
Back in the cinema, the festival took place at the Cineworld, the biggest cinema in Ireland and The Sugar Club for the awards ceremony night.
DISFMF is conducted from the independent film maker point of view.
Director and producer from each film selected will benefit free entry to all the venues and screenings.
All kinds of short films are accepted. Here are some examples: Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Advertising, Animation, Art-house, Black Comedy, Children/Family, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Experimental, Fantasy, Historical, Melodrama, Crime & Gangster, Biopics, Film-Noir, Road Films, Super-Heroes, Super-Natural, Mockumentary, Independent, Music Video, Musical, Reality, Religious, Romance, Science Fiction, Silent, Sport, Student, Thriller/Suspanse, TV, Ai and more.
"Essential Horror Film Festival" - Raindance.org
"20 Coolest Film Festivals" - MovieMaker Magazine
"13 Horror Film Festivals to Die For" - MovieMaker Magazine
"Coolest Horror/Sci-Fi Film Festival" - MovieMaker Magazine
"Best Horror Film Festival" - Production Hub.com
2019 and 2024 - "Best Film Festival" - Orlando Weekly
"Love this Festival"! - Robert Englund aka Freddy Krueger
The FREAK SHOW Horror Film Festival is the Largest and Longest Running Horror Genre Film Festival in the State of Florida. Located in an actual movie theater, not a convention hall!
FREAKO the Clown welcomes you to GET FREAKY with us! We are the home of the coveted "FREAKY AWARD".
Celebrate and Support the Art of Independent Horror! This international horror genre film festival is the brainchild of FEAR FILM Studios Owner Robert J. Massetti. As a veteran independent horror filmmaker, Robert wanted to make a film festival that celebrates the independent horror filmmaker by giving the artist a forum to show his or her work.
The festival is a showcase of some of the most talented, up and coming horror filmmakers in the world and tries hard to help filmmakers reach their goals with their films. This is a festival not to be missed for fun and exposure.
The Festival screens films at the EPIC THEATERS at Lee Vista in Orlando, Florida! The theater features electric reclining seats, state of the art projection, Dolby Sound, reserve seating, as well as a beer and wine bar in the lobby! Located only minutes from Orlando International Airport with Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars all within walking distance. Making FREAK SHOW Horror Film Festival one of the best festivals to attend in the world!
Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre (BARS) is an international film festival devoted to the genres of science fiction, horror and fantasy. Is the oldest fantastic film festival in Latin America.
It began in 2000 with a focus on independent films in those genres, and since 2004 in the form of a competitive festival, Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre is well attended with over 200 films shown and 12.000 public and industry admissions each year. BARS is sponsored by the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA) and declared of cultural interest by the legislature of the autonomous city of Buenos Aires.
PRESS REVIEWS
DREAD CENTRAL: The Best Horror Festivals in the World 2021
The oldest genre film festival in Latin America, Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre “has earned the respect of every other festival because of its endurance,” says a panelist. “It’s extremely well-curated and its fans love everything, from bizarre B-films to highbrow horror fare.”
“It’s also important to highlight this festival’s stubbornness,” jokes a panelist, and another panelist agrees, pointing out that it insists on “keeping its main idea of a festival made for horror fans by horror fans.”
https://www.dreadcentral.com/top-10-lists/364442/the-best-horror-festivals-in-the-world-2021/3/
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The Bubble: Blood, Guts, & Cinema: The BARS Horror Film Festival Hits Buenos Aires by Jorge Farah
"The Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre festival has been delivering these thrills to porteño audiences for nearly two decades now, screening films that are decidedly “off the beaten path” and would have a tough time finding a more conventional commercial distribution in this side of the world. And though it’s focused mainly on horror, the festival actually offers a pretty diverse slate of films, featuring everything from comedic, tongue-in-cheek midnight movies to films that incorporate elements of fantasy along with the more relentlessly bleak horror fare. There’s something for everybody."
https://www.thebubble.com/buenos-aires-rojo-sangre-film-festival
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VARIETY: Gardner, Yamaguchi, Urrutia Win at BARS by John Hopewell
"Launching in 2000, BARS, one of Latin America’s biggest genre fests, has proved a driving force in the build of Argentine genre production scene, highlighting and prizing early works of directors such as Adrian Garcia Bogliano, who won 2004’s audience award for first feature, “Habitacion para turistas.”"
https://variety.com/2013/film/global/gardner-yamaguchi-urrutia-win-at-bars-1200808359/
Born in 2009 in order to highlight and encourage artistic expression, film and cultural identity of the region. Promoting the permanence of cultures and strengthening the cultural policies of the city as a mechanism for citizen and community participation; thus supporting the development, exhibition and dissemination of film and the visual arts in the city of Guadalajara de Buga and Valle del Cauca; proposing dialogue between the various expressions of art today and their participation mechanisms mainly in the youth population. This festival seeks to create spaces for discussion, artistic and audiovisual creation in a participatory manner.
The festival became the first event of its kind in this area, for display, training, capacity building and collective on the subject of film and visual arts in Guadalajara de Buga and Valle del Cauca.
The Wildlife Conservation Film Festival (WCFF) is a global film festival that showcases and supports independent films dedicated to the protection of wildlife and the conservation of Earth’s biodiversity through interactive and engaging events.
Founded in 2010 by award-winning filmmaker Christopher J. Gervais, the festival brings together an international community of films, filmmakers, advocates, and scientists committed to preserving wildlife and global biodiversity.
It provides a platform for hundreds of filmmakers to connect and engage in meaningful discussions with attendees from the global conservation, education, wildlife film, and travel industries.
Our mission is to inform, engage and inspire audiences about the upmost need for and importance of the protection of global biodiversity. We do this through the annual film festivals around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, Naples, Florida, and Monterrey, Mexico.
This year we will have a four day non-competitive event (June 11th-14th, 2026) at the Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, in Cape May, New Jersey, USA showcasing a selected number of nominee films before the finals event that will take place at the beautiful and prestigious Elite Cinema Theater in the City of Monterrey, Mexico (September 15th-18th, 2026).
Moreover, WCFF continues its strategic alliance with Ecoflix, the first not-for-profit streaming channel dedicated to protecting animals and the planet. This partnership offers filmmakers the optional opportunity to participate on the online Ecoflix platform, providing increased global access to submitted films and the potential to generate income through online ticket sales.
Location (2026):
● Festival Film Screenings: First stage (non competitive): The Cape May Point Arts and Science Center, Cape May, New Jersey, USA. Finals: Elite Cinemas, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
● Attendance at either venue is voluntary
● Premiere Requirements: None
In a world saturated with noise, algorithms, and repetitive formulas, we still believe in something simple and powerful: creating art is worth it.
From Morelos, a region with a long tradition of artistic, cultural, and cinematic expression, a new chapter for emerging cinema begins.
El Film del Mundo (EFM) is the natural evolution of the Festival Universitario de Cine Morelense (FUCM), a project that laid the foundation for promoting new cinematic voices from the state to a broader, global conversation.
Today, that vision grows.
What began as a university space for exhibition and connection has evolved into an international festival dedicated to emerging cinema, new voices, and perspectives that do not ask for permission to exist.
The development of this new chapter has been strengthened through the support of the Programa de Estímulo a la Creación y Desarrollo Artístico (PECDA), making it possible to establish a cultural platform focused on the exhibition, education, and promotion of contemporary audiovisual talent.
We are not looking for technical perfection or large budgets. We are looking for vision. Risk. Voice. Stories that resonate with authenticity.
We believe cinema is an act of creative resistance.
That is why El Film del Mundo invites emerging filmmakers from Mexico and around the world to take part in its first edition.
Because when everything seems to be falling apart, making films is also a way to survive.
CALL FOR ENTRIES OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this call for entries is to bring together an international selection of emerging audiovisual works that reflect a diversity of voices, cinematic languages, and perspectives.
EFM seeks to support new generations of filmmakers and audiovisual creators by providing a platform for exhibition, recognition, and meaningful exchange among local, national, and international talent.
We are looking for works with identity, artistic sensitivity, and an authentic cinematic vision.
We are not looking for perfect cinema. We are looking for living cinema.
PARTICIPATING CATEGORIES
Official Competition:
• Fiction Short Film
• Documentary Short Film
• Animated Short Film
Special Screenings:
• Debut Fiction Feature
• Debut Documentary Feature
• Debut Animated Feature
• Music Video Showcase
Special Selection:
• Morelos Selection (works directed or produced in Morelos)
• LGBTQ+ Narratives
TRÂNSITO is an LGBT+ film showcase based in Pelotas, Brazil.
The name Transito refers to the right of bodies to move, exist, and occupy spaces. The festival celebrates LGBTQ+ stories and filmmakers committed to creating works around these themes.
The showcase is divided into three sections — International, National (Brazilian), and Regional (Rio Grande do Sul) — in order to embrace both local and global perspectives in cinema.
Through film screenings, talks, debates, and cultural activities, TRÂNSITO promotes inclusion, respect, diversity, and human rights, strengthening the local community and contributing to a more just, equal, and welcoming society.
THE SPARK THAT IGNITES CINEMA IN BOYACÁ
Guaque del Sol Open Call: July 1 to August 30, 2026.
10th FECISO: November 1–7, 2026, Sogamoso, Boyacá.
FECISO celebrates its tenth edition as a space for showcasing independent Colombian and international cinema, with a special focus on works that engage with memory, the armed conflict, violence, social struggles, the resistance of communities, the defense of territory, human rights, and the diverse realities of Colombia.
It is a vibrant and exciting celebration of the film industry whose main objective is to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers and encourage interaction between filmmakers and audience.
This annual event brings together industry experts and film professionals, with seventh art enthusiasts and movie lovers from the central zone of San Luis Potosí.
We strongly believe in the importance of giving young filmmakers a voice and visibility, providing an invaluable platform for these emerging talents to showcase their work.
In the official selection, there is a careful curation of the best contemporary Mexican and Latin American films.
