DATE AND LOCATION
The 29th edition of the European Short Film Festival of Bordeaux will take place from March 26th to 27th 2026. The projection nights will take place at the UGC Ciné-Cité cinema in Bordeaux.
GOALS
The European Short Film Festival of Bordeaux aims to promote the short film format to the Région Aquitaine's audience. It facilitates the access to cinema for a large public, from all ages. It also supports the discovery of talented directors coming from all over Europe.,It’s a way for the filmmakers to be appreciated by a jury, no matter if they are mere enthusiasts or professionals.
Brussels Short Film Festival is an exhibition intended for cinema lovers, both audience and professionals. The purpose is to promote and circulate short films and to generate contacts between audience, young directors and professionals.
Since 2018, the winner of the Great Prize of the International competition will be eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film/ Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.
ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival proudly provides the platform for independent filmmakers to express authentic, cinematic storytelling in the most compelling ways possible.
As one of the world’s most recognised independent film festivals in the world, ÉCU embraces innovation and creativity and allows directors in competition to showcase their films to audiences who love and appreciate independent cinema. Filmmakers who are selected into ÉCU’s Official Selection join an active community of creatives who are continually pushing the boundaries of independent cinema.
Since its inception in 2006, ÉCU has forged a path for independent film and the scope of its presence has grown to a global scale with the festival often being referenced as the European equivalent of Sundance; an honour that we don’t take lightly.
"Paris has become my second home, and ÉCU my creative family. Mr.Scott Hillier is now the father of my independent spirit. I’m deeply honored and grateful for the Audience Award, and truly moved to see my film open the official 2025 trailer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Fumitaka Otoguro producer of Tokyo Strange Tale winner of the Audience Award 2025
"This festival is an outstanding, welcoming, and attentive event for independent film lovers, catering to both the audience and filmmakers. It devotes considerable attention to the presentation and dissemination of films and their creators, and also meticulously analyzes film themes and content. The team of festival organizers is exceptional, demonstrating great care and responsibility. We are very happy that our film PURGA was featured in this festival. Highly recommended!" - Gintare Valeviciute Brazauskienė, Co-director of PURGA, the winner of the Best European Independent Animation award 2024
"Great opportunity for independent filmmakers around the world, the festival has values and I like the way people engaged and watched all the films with passionate." - Abdulmohsen Almutairi, director of Memories from the North, ÉCU 2023 Official Selection
"It is always an absolute joy to present one's work at ECU. The team are fantastically helpful, the jury extremely competent, and the selection of the highest quality. I would recommend participating to anyone who's in love with indie filmmaking!" - Celina Liesegang, producer of Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human body, ÉCU 2022 Official Selection
"It was an absolute privilege to be part of the ÉCU Film Festival and in the company of so many incredible and high quality independent films! What truly fantastic programming and as a filmmaker you are really made to feel part of a passionate global community of people who really believe in the same values around story telling and visual expression. Thank you to the whole team behind the scenes." - Karina Astrup, producer of MORGANA, ÉCU 2021 Official Selection
Each year, our festival takes place in Paris during the springtime, which is not only a beautiful season but also an exciting time of year for ÉCU, because that is when we showcase roughly around 60 of the World’s very best independent films. Although ÉCU emphasises European talent, it also recognises the genius of international filmmakers with several categories allocated to non-European films.
The next ÉCU, the 21st edition, will take place on April, 2026 in Paris, France.
ÉCU isn’t just about screening an amazing slate of films over its three-day event in Paris. There are also professional workshops led by experts in the industry, Q&A’s held with the attending filmmakers after every screening session and a chance to network with fellow filmmakers, producers, agents, industry representatives, prospective film buyers and, of course, the cinema-loving public. At ÉCU, there is a dialogue focusing on celebrating but also critiquing the world’s best indie cinema of today.
Though ÉCU’s main event IS the three-day festival in Paris each spring, there is even more! Thanks to our 50+ partner festivals, partner organisations, film centres and film commissions, ÉCU goes on an annual world tour called ÉCU-On-The-Road. This gives award-winning films (as well as many of the Official Selection films) the opportunity for their films to reach a broader, global, international audience.
ÉCU-On-The-Road showcased films in over 80 countries around the globe in 2016 to 2025 at special ÉCU mini-festivals, partner festivals, cultural institutions and film schools, including an amazing seven day special festival in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was made possible through the support of Caixa Cultural, São Paulo and was a huge success. ÉCU also held special events in Berlin (Germany), Atami (Japan) and was part of festivals in Lebanon, Italy, Russia, USA, Romania, Austria, Denmark and other countries. This gives ÉCU filmmakers great exposure to audiences that they may never have reached otherwise.
Since 2006, ÉCU has helped the careers of hundreds of independent filmmakers, actors, DPs, editors, screenwriters and we are honoured to give aspiring film directors the chance for their voices to be seen and heard.
Above all, we are proud to be a filmmakers’ festival!
Onward!! Join us during this decadal survey of sci-fi excellence.
It is a celebration of old and new. As one of the oldest science fiction festivals, we will present you with a selection of insights and stories never seen. There is plenty of planning and work to do. We are open to participants planetwide to join us in the beautiful city of Miami, Florida.
The intent of SciFi Miami is to showcase the best in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy, and other imaginatively-themed films from around the world. This celebration is in the trendy and progressively global megalopolis of Miami, Florida. Our creative and inspirational environment is ideal for exploring films that ponder the infinite possibilities our multiverse holds.
There will be workshops, panels, and lectures. In addition to this ninth season, the Film Market will be available. We have invited distributors to connect with filmmakers.
Notifications typically begin a week after the last submission date. So grab tickets early, inform your friends, and prepare for the best original content to reach South Florida.
L’Europe autour de l’Europe - European film Festival Paris will run from the 30th of March to the 13th of April in Paris and Île-de-France.
Its selection presents art-house and author films produced by the countries of Greater Europe (members of the Council of Europe) focusing on connections between classic European filmmakers and new talents of contemporary cinema. One of the festival's main objectives is strengthening the creative audiovisual industry network across Europe.
In addition to screenings and Q&A with filmmakers, the Festival presents public masterclasses and panel discussions with prestigious guests from Europe.
L'Europe autour de l'Europe is where the new European film meets the European value-keeping cinema.
Friends! We are waiting for you! You can influence the whole course of our festival.
The vote of three of the independent jury right in the room! The jury of filmmakers against the press and the audience!
OUR FESTIVAL OUT OF POLITICS
It connects people, their kind hearts and creativity. The first festival was held in 2018 in Moscow, Russia, 2019 - in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, March 2021 - in Moscow and Podolsk.
FESTIVAL ORGANIZER
The festival is organized by the Vyatkin Publishing House. We publish books in author's gift and leather hand-made bindings, make documentaries, short-length films and presentation videos. The publishing house is a permanent member of international and Russian exhibitions, festivals and forums. The publishing house also participates in organizing charity events, psychological and thematic seminars, meetings with authors, film directors and actors.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE FESTIVAL
Our festival selects films based on the principle of dueling, as in sports. The films must pass through several stages: the official selection, the semi-final and the final. The final takes place in the form of a battle-duel, which is evaluated right in the hall by the filmmakers, the audience and the press.
The aim of the festival is to encourage young filmmakers to make new films, to appreciate their creativity and to introduce filmmakers to the culture and life of the world. We accept films of all genres from all over the world and give new filmmakers the opportunity to evaluate their films and compete with other famous filmmakers. These are films made from the heart and for people of all genres who deny aggression and war.
Each film that passes the official selection will receive laurels. And at the end of the festival, of course, a buffet and a photo shoot.
EVENTS DURING THE FESTIVAL
The final screenings
Screenings of "a single session" best movies not released in rent
Pitching of film projects
A script competition in Russian
Workshops and a round table for filmmakers
Excursion program
Interactive action
Children's program
Special presentation program
Gala concert and awarding of winners
Photo session with the winners and stars
Furshet
Getting to know the festival :
NORGS Festival is an opportunity to present the works of independent filmmakers, photographers, musicians, writers and artists from all over the world to introduce themselves to the art world.
Festival Statement :
Independent people have always been the founders of different styles and techniques.
Goals of the festival :
Respecting human rights and looking at women's issues and problems.
How to hold :
The closing ceremony will be held virtually.
The CINALFAMA FILM OBSERVATORY, held in a historic neighborhood, emerges as a transformative cultural initiative that strengthens the community network. By showing independent films, the project not only widens access to alternative and innovative narratives but also stimulates cultural engagement among residents, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
This regular event, which takes place at Museu do Fado Auditorium, becomes a meeting point where generations cross paths, sharing experiences and reflections that transcend mere film viewing. In addition, by being located in a neighborhood with a rich historical heritage, the observatory revitalizes the urban space, attracting visitors and enhancing the appreciation of the local heritage, generating a very positive cultural dynamic
The Cinalfama Film Observatory is a regular cinema competition in January, April, and October.
The winning films of each of the three editions (Jan, Apr, Oct), will be showcased in our annual outdoor cinema event, Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival, in July 2025.
Madeira Fantastic FilmFest. An international film festival and the first regional event dedicated to showing and promoting high-quality films in the fantastic, horror and thriller genres. It is the festival that gives filmmakers from all over the world the opportunity to present their films to the Madeiran public.
The festival places special emphasis on showing films by Madeiran filmmakers, with the aim of supporting and promoting the production of films made on the island.
It takes place in Funchal, the capital of Madeira Island in Portugal.
At the Villa de Orgaz Film Festival we are happy to tell you that we are going to start our first edition in the town of Orgaz (Toledo), giving shape to our illusion of being able to bring Culture closer to emptied Spain, and to be able to give to also get to know those young directors and actors.
The Festival will be held on the last weekend of February, with two viewing days and on the last day, awards ceremony and Closing Gala at the Auditorium of the Town.
The UK festival circuit is dominated by voices and teams well on their way to success as artists, and the threshold for entry to most festivals is correspondingly high. However, we believe there is a wealth of talent below that threshold that deserve the encouragement and affirmation of an audience.
Based at the charming Curzon Cinema in Clevedon, the remit of Homegrown Shorts is to find and encourage the young and developing cinematic voices of the South-West of the UK.
From April 22 to 26, 2026, the 55th edition of the Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival, one of Europe's largest festivals for up-and-coming filmmakers, will take place in Potsdam. It offers up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world a platform to present their work to a wide audience and build contacts in the industry. Started in the 1970s as a GDR film festival for young filmmakers, Sehsüchte has established itself over the decades as an internationally important film festival and has become an integral part of Berlin and Brandenburg's cultural landscape.
Sehsüchte sees itself as a place of encounter and creation, as an event of cultural diversity and a celebration of cinema, today and tomorrow. The organization and implementation of the festival is entirely in the hands of students from the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. This enables a dynamic exchange between young talents, media makers and researchers.
Motto 2026: What's left?
The motto of the Sehsüchte film festival in 2026 is What's left?. In the 55th edition of Sehsüchte, we want to direct our view into the past, present, and future. What’s left? wants to know what remains — of our ideals, our home, our hopes and fears, and of a world we want to believe in. With What’s left?, we want to challenge the pessimism implied by the question: We want to recognize the potential for change, and develop future perspectives not in spite of, but because of the challenges of the present. What’s left? means taking responsibility, allowing ourselves to say goodbye, and finding the courage for new opportunities and collective visions —to achieve constructiveness beyond resignation.
What’s left? What’s left to hope for? What’s left to do?
Artistic and cinematic explorations, workshops, and discussion formats want to invite filmmakers and audiences alike to face the complexity of this world. Between upheaval and awakening, tradition and rebellion, grief and hope: in its 55th edition, Sehsüchte wants to create spaces in which filmmakers and audiences can encounter political and personal crises in order to find out what does remain.
Sections:
● Fiction Film
● Documentary Film
● Animated Film
● Experimental Film
● Focus: Social Impact - Storytelling and Producing
● Future: Kids
● Future: Teens
● Virtual Reality
● Music Video
● Schreibsüchte (Script)
● Schreibsüchte (Pitch)
● Retrospective
● Exhibition - Beyond the Screen
● Showcase
Entrance to the festival is free.
-------------------------------------
FIXION Fest (A.K.A. FIXION-SARS) is Chile's first Fantastic and Terror Film Festival. The first one was organized 14 years ago. Diverse sections and activities, will show to the last and best exponents of the cinema of Chilean, Latin American and world genre.
Festival only for Spanish speakers: Spanish and Latin American productions.
The Cinematographic Residence CINEMALAB 2020 V2.0
"INDEPENDENT CINEMA IN THE AGE OF STREAMING"
CinemaLab is an opportunity for the maturation of feature film projects and low-budget series, in the script, construction (work in progress) or finalized in search of promotion and distribution, so that, strengthened by the collaboration and advice of experts, they can advance and consolidate.
In Zapatoca "The Happiest Town in the World", 20 selected projects will be incubated, within a national and international call, providing the right environment for filmmakers to focus their energies and move forward, through new and creative paths.
The laboratory will focus on the most neuralgic areas of realization, an immersion through individual, group and master classes, with renowned filmmakers.
The Coffee Film Awards is a non-profit initiative by London-based Allegra Group. Our mission is to make a positive difference in the world. There is a deep connection between the incredible world of film and the world of coffee, and we intend to bring these two worlds even closer. All works must have a clear relation to coffee or coffee culture.
The project will provide a spotlight on the incredible talent of filmmakers and generate valuable connections and introductions via our extensive networks.
All selected films will be shown across Allegra Group’s nine international coffee festivals* including London, Los Angeles, Paris, Toronto, Sao Paulo, and of course, New York with a combined audience of over 100,000 visitors.
*subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Tsiolkovsky International Space Film Festival (Tsiolkovsky ISFF) is held annually in Kaluga. Films and programs about space and its relationship with science, art, and culture take part in the competitive, non-competitive, and retrospective screenings of the Festival.
The purpose of the Tsiolkovsky ISFF is not only to present new films about space, but also to promote all areas of science and art, one way or another related to space, to strengthen the traditions of international dialogue between scientists and filmmakers to solve urgent problems of the development of modern science, culture and new technologies. In addition, the Festival carries an important educational mission on all issues related to the past, present and future of space research and space activities.
Goals and objectives of the Tsiolkovsky ISFF:
• the most complete presentation of the current state of the world cinematography related to space themes;
• demonstration of the best documentary and feature films about space, created both in Russia and abroad to the audience and the jury members. At retrospectives and special screenings, the audience will have the opportunity to watch the most famous films of domestic and foreign "space" cinema;
• the Tsiolkovsky ISFF may become a platform for live communication of creative people, scientists, as well as an exchange of projects and ready-made ideas in the field of space and "space" cinema;
• maintenance of a steady audience interest in film products related to space themes;
• a meeting of filmmakers with the audience of one of the most intensively developing regions of the country;
• the opportunity for filmmakers not only to effectively communicate with science, but also to transform scientific "space" ideas into something accessible and creative for a wide audience;
• to acquaint scientists with the world of cinema, to realize its creative potential and accessibility.
Tsiolkovsky ISFF SLOGAN: What is impossible today may be possible tomorrow (K.E. Tsiolkovsky, Self-made scientist who became the founder of modern astronautics)
Tsiolkovsky ISFF LOGO: The official logo of the Festival used in the festival symbols and official papers is a drawing by K.E. Tsiolkovsky from the "Album of Space Travel", which he created for the first Soviet science fiction film called "Space Flight."
The JURY of the Tsiolkovsky ISFF includes not only professional filmmakers, but also astronauts, as well as scientists from the space industry.
Mecal Pro, the Barcelona International Short and Animation Film Festival, will celebrate its 28th edition. The long history of MECAL PRO has consolidated it as one of the most important short film festivals in Europe and the world, thus receiving the support of local, national and international institutions. We have screened in 2025 more than 300 short films in 29 sections that we program.
Mecal is strongly committed to promoting the exhibition and dissemination of audiovisual creations in the short format, not only with the public, but also in having creators and distributors meet through different activities. Mecal is also devoted to foster emerging talent, by holding events and awards specially aimed at young creators. In this sense, it also works as a short film dissemination network, organising screenings both at a national and an international level, collaborating with festivals, embassies, and institutions around the world.
1. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of Festival de Malaga are to disseminate and promote Spanish films and their general cultural sphere. In this sense, the Festival is also a platform for Latin American film productions. Its functions include hosting an event for the different professional sectors of films in Spanish (construed as films produced in Spain and all of Latin America, including Brazil) to boost their development and promote international sales.
Festival de Málaga is recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations (FIAPF) (www.fiapf.org).
In compliance with these objectives, the 29th Edition of Festival de Málaga will be held from 6th to 15 th March 2026.
