Logo of Festival de cine independiente de Toluca

Deadline
09 Aug 2026


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Festival de cine independiente de Toluca

Festival de cine independiente de Toluca

Toluca, Mexico


Fourth Edition of the "Independent Film Festival in Toluca"
Interactive storytelling turns into cinema.

FECINT 2026 arrives—the Toluca Independent Film Festival, an edition dedicated to exploring the universe of video games, immersive experiences, and new ways of telling audiovisual stories.

Toluca and Metepec will be the stage where filmmakers, digital creators, and visual artists share projects that cross the border between gaming and independent cinema.

Because the best stories are no longer just played… they are also projected.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Paris festival international nouvelle génération acteurs/actrices

Deadline
17 Mar 2027


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films

Promotional card of Paris festival international nouvelle génération acteurs/actrices

Banner Paris new generation actors/actresses international film festival

Paris festival international nouvelle génération acteurs/actrices

Paris, France


In a great theatre in the center of Paris France the fourth edition of the international film festival dedicated to the new generation of actors and actress.
www.fija-festival.com

During 7 days a presentation of films from all regions of the world and open to all themes, including at least one main role in the film played by a young person under 27.

Welcome to Paris. All films selected in competition will be presented by the director and an actor invited by the festival.

A film festival organized by french directors and producers.

To participe all the films must have minimum one lead actor or actress under 27 years old in the cast.

A festival that aims to be a meeting and exchange point between different generations.

An annual meeting place for young and professional actors.

A festival aimed at all audiences.

A red carpet for everybody.

The festival is organize in cooperation with great famous feature film institutions and important broadcast channels.

Important amount of prizes.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Fantastic  Terror  Other



 
Logo of ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival

Deadline
12 Feb 2027


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival

ÉCU - The European Independent Film Festival

Paris, France


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 22nd edition, will take place on April, 2027 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!


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Gosh! Film Festival - 20th Edition

Deadline
04 Jan 2027


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films


Banner Gosh! Film Festival - 20th Edition

Gosh! Film Festival - 20th Edition

Paris, France


GOSH! A DAMN GOOD FILM FESTIVAL

Independent & International Film Festival in Paris, GOSH! is dedicated to international short films screenings. The festival aims to bring to Paris films loved all around the world or brand new talents!

GOSH! loves all genres of independent cinema: short films, documentaries, animations, any language and any genre accepted. All equal for good cinema.

IMDB certified and screening to our usual audience, each edition GOSH! tries to provide a unique experience to the audience.

- IMDB certified awards
- Media partner "Cinéma des Potes" reporting the event
- International jury, lead by wellknown artists such as Pierre-Emmanuel Barré, Vikash Dhorasoo or Laura Satana
- Text interview for winners, on our website
- original certificate for award winners
- Individual feedback for all the movies in competition
- French subtitles by GOSH! (if English SRT file available)
- A damn cool festival!

PROCESS
OFFICIAL SELECTION
Each film is seen and rated by a committee of three persons, including Gosh Film Festival organizers: Magali Souart and Fabio Soares.

All the movies are seen by the committee, there is no “pass by” accepted.

Members of the committee can’t be involved in any way, in movies taking part of the official selection.

JURY
The jury is composed by professionals from TV & Cinema, the list and CV of GOSH! Jury are available on our website.

The jury takes in Paris and decide about the awards, except the audience award, given by the audience.

GOSH! Film Festival organizers do not take part to the jury and respect their final decisions.

MEDIA
GOSH! Film Festival screening is covered by our media partner "Cinéma des Potes", and several media with special accreditations.


International Festival

Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Melbourne Documentary Film Festival

Deadline
10 May 2027


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Melbourne Documentary Film Festival

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival

Melbourne, Australia


The Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF) is looking for a Melbourne-based or Melbourne-made feature documentary to either open or close our historic 10th edition. You can submit via Festhome.

The festival has become a cultural phenomenon in Melbourne, with sold-out sessions and encores, ranking as one of Australia’s top film festivals. We aim to promote diverse, independent, and creative filmmakers, supporting global and local talent. MDFF has helped filmmakers reach major platforms.

MDFF is known for its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and safety. We’ve had no reported COVID cases at our events for the last five years and have worked to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

This year, we're excited to host encores for popular short documentaries and have seen great success. We've also become the Film Freeway Top 100 Melbourne Film Festival and are ranked in the top global documentary festivals. We are especially proud to have had 7 documentaries eligible for the 2024 Oscars.

MDFF showcases documentaries that promote critical and independent thinking, debate, and diverse perspectives, with a focus on issues like human rights, equality, social issues, and freedom of speech. We have supported various causes, including BLM, Indigenous communities, and environmental organizations.

MDFF is an indie festival that helps filmmakers make their mark, offering opportunities for premieres, screenings, and networking with industry professionals. The festival takes place at Cinema Nova, one of Australia’s largest independent cinemas, and offers a fun, community-driven atmosphere.

We’re looking for local and international feature documentaries, short films, VR projects, video essays, and web series to compete in our Australian Documentary Awards. Submit your documentary to be part of this prestigious event and help us celebrate the best of the documentary genre.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Documentary



 
Logo of Children`s Film Hour

Deadline
20 Aug 2026


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films


Banner Children`s Film Hour

Children`s Film Hour

Delhi, India


Children's Film Hour is organised by Bodhak Studio and seeks to create a welcoming space where young audiences can experience meaningful cinema from India and around the world.

The festival dedicated to stories for, about, and inspired by children. The festival aims to celebrate imagination, curiosity, courage, friendship, and the many experiences that shape childhood.

We invite filmmakers from around the world to submit short films, documentaries, animation films, and live-action works that engage young audiences through meaningful storytelling.

Whether heartwarming, adventurous, educational, or thought-provoking, we are looking for films that entertain while encouraging creativity, empathy, and discovery.

The selected films will be screened as part of a specially curated festival programme designed for children, families, educators, and film enthusiasts.


International Festival

Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic



 
Logo of San Fernando Fantastic Terror Film Festival

Deadline
11 Oct 2026


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films


Banner Festival de Cine Terror Fantástico de San Fernando

San Fernando Fantastic Terror Film Festival

San Fernando, Chile


Only for Chilean filmmakers.


Short film festival


 Animation  Fantastic  Terror



 
Logo of Güeplay Short Film Festival for Young Filmmakers

Deadline
26 Jul 2026


Published: 25 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films


Banner Festival Güeplay de Cortometrajes de Jóvenes Realizadores

Güeplay Short Film Festival for Young Filmmakers

Resistencia, Argentina


The Güeplay Short Film Festival for Young Filmmakers is a cultural event dedicated to the exhibition, promotion, and dissemination of emerging Argentine cinema. Organized by Güeplay, the festival aims to support new audiovisual voices, strengthen the regional creative ecosystem, and create opportunities for connection between filmmakers and audiences.

The first edition will take place on August 13 and 14, 2026, in Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina, featuring both on-site and online activities, including screenings, workshops, talks, and special events. The festival will host three official competition sections: National Competition, University Competition, and “Fernando in One Minute”, alongside a diverse program of free cultural activities open to the community.


Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Alexandria Short Film Festival

Deadline
15 Jan 2027


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films

Promotional card of Alexandria Short Film Festival

Banner Alexandria Short Film Festival

Alexandria Short Film Festival

Alexandria, Egypt


The festival provides accommodation and internal transportation during the festival period.

The Alexandria short film festival ( Egypt ) was founded by Alexandria Art Circle Association in order to give a chance for filmmakers to present their work to the public and this in the heart of Alexandria to be a lighthouse of cinema in the world.The festival is held annually, and its first edition was in 2015.

The festival aims to provide a suitable atmosphere to exchange experiences between filmmakers from all over the world and give opportunities for short filmmakers to present their films whether narrative, documentary, or animation, in front of the audience, with the aim of conducting fruitful discussions between the filmmaker and the audience and providing a safe platform for presenting their work.

The festival aims to develop and advance short cinema.


OSCAR!

International Festival

Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Experimental



 
Logo of Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival

Deadline
27 Jun 2026


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival

Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival

Lisbon, Portugal


The Cinalfama Lisbon International Film Festival is an annual outdoor event located in the heart of Lisbon's historic neighborhood, Alfama. For a week, we occupy the street with independent films from around the world.


OPEN CALL

We welcome submissions from independent directors, screenwriters, and composers who want to see their work screened at the white walls of Alfama.

ABOUT CINALFAMA

Cinalfama Lisboa International Film Festival celebrates the rich cultural and historical tapestry of one of the city's most iconic areas, providing a unique platform for independent filmmakers worldwide.

We aim to promote cultural and artistic diversity through cinema, highlighting works that address relevant, innovative, and provocative themes. With a carefully curated selection of films, our goal is to offer the audience an engaging and diverse cinematic experience.

To believe in an independent film festival in the streets of one of Lisbon's historic neighborhoods inevitably absorbed by gentrification is to persist and pursue a community utopia where cinema plays a restorative role.

In this context, Cinalfama has been developing a pilot program to collect stories and orality from residents and spaces in the neighborhood, in an attempt to rescue the essence of this population.

Several of the directors who make up the Cinalfama team, such as Pedro Costa, Leonor Teles, and Pedro Cabeleira, are taking part in this pressing project, whose collections are being screened at the Cinalfama Lisboa International Film Festival.

Cinalfama holds a second Open Call for the Film Observatory - regular competitive sessions three times a year (January, April, and October) - with different categories.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental



 
Logo of Olot Film Festival

Deadline
10 Jun 2027


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Olot Film Festival

Olot Film Festival

Olot, Spain


The Olot Film Festival was created with the ambition of becoming a global reference for independent cinema and short films. Our program is committed to giving visibility to new voices in the audiovisual landscape, offering the public a diverse selection of works that explore innovative languages and bold narratives.

One of the pillars of the festival is its collaboration with the Institut d’Educació Greda of Olot, where students actively participate by presenting documentaries created as part of their studies. This initiative promotes local talent and strengthens the connection between students and professionals in the field, creating a space for learning, experimentation, and cultural dialogue.

More than just a film competition, the Olot International Film Festival aims to be a meeting point for creators, audiences, and institutions, opening the city’s doors to creativity and artistic exchange.

Venue: Cines Olot

The Olot Film Festival will take place at Cines Olot, a modern cinema complex located at Josep Ayats Street, 10, 17800 Olot.

Cines Olot features eight fully equipped screening rooms, including 3D projection theaters, making it the most complete multiplex in the Garrotxa region. In addition to commercial releases, Cines Olot plays an important cultural role in the city, organizing film series, screenings in original versions, concerts, operas, and special events.

The multiplex opened its doors more than 20 years ago, the result of a local family project with a long history in film exhibition, with the goal of offering Olot a high-quality cultural and entertainment center.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Selcuklu Film Festival

Deadline
15 Sep 2026


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films


Banner Selçuklu Film Festivali

Selcuklu Film Festival

Konya, Turkey


The Selçuklu Film Festival is a film festival organised in Konya under the leadership of Selçuklu Municipality, drawing on the cultural and artistic vision of the Selçuklu Academy of Arts and with the contribution of the Selçuklu Film Academy. The festival aims to create a high-calibre cinematic gathering that brings together filmmakers, audiences, students, academics and industry professionals. The Selçuklu Film Festival is not merely an event consisting of film screenings; it is designed as a cultural platform where films, ideas, filmmakers and audiences come together, and where it is possible to reflect on cinema and share production processes. Drawing strength from Konya’s historical and cultural heritage, the festival aims to highlight the diverse narratives, new perspectives and creative energy of Turkish cinema. Through competitions, screenings, talks, workshops and industry-focused meetings, it aims to contribute to the development of film culture; to support young filmmakers; and to establish a lasting, respected and sustainable festival tradition in Anatolia. The inaugural Seljuk Film Festival will take place in Konya from 23 to 27 December 2026, bringing together film enthusiasts.


Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Experimental



 
Logo of Blanes - Costa Brava International Film Festival

Deadline
31 Jul 2026


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Blanes - Costa Brava International Film Festival

Blanes - Costa Brava International Film Festival

Blanes, Spain


III Edition - The Blanes – Costa Brava International Film Festival is an international film festival that includes short films of the documentary, fiction, and animation genres, and a non-competitive section of specifically invited films. All films that make up the different sections will be selected by the Festival organisation.


The 3rd edition of the Festival will be held from 5 to 11 October 2026, in-person in Blanes.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Circuito Penedo de Cinema

Deadline
31 Jul 2026


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films


Banner Circuito Penedo de Cinema

Circuito Penedo de Cinema

Penedo, Brazil


Only for national Brazilian filmmakers


Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental



 
Logo of Sport Film International Festival NIKE

Deadline
01 Aug 2026


Published: 24 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Sport Film International Festival NIKE

Sport Film International Festival NIKE

Batumi, Georgia


About Festivale Nike

Batumi Sport Film International Festivale Nike

Sport, as a specific type of physical and intellectual activity, has been the subject of interest in various fields of visual art since time immemorial.

The works created on the theme of sports present not only the dynamism and beauty of the sports spectacle, but also various aspects, traditions, customs, code of conduct and aesthetic ideals of the political, public and cultural life of this or that era and country.

Among the fields of visual art, the art of moving images - cinematography - was able to do this most fully and impressively. It is interesting that cinematography and modern Olympism
were born at the same time.


Sport is a rich and profitable material for cinematography. Many great films have beencreated on the subject of sports. Throughout the history of cinema, films created on sports themes have become a separate genre sports cinema.


The first stories depicting a sports spectacle in Georgia were filmed in 1910. Several feature films and more than 80 documentaries were created on the sports theme. Films shot on a sports theme were awarded with prizes of important international film festivals.
Most of the Georgian films made on sports topics were created in XX century. Since the beginning of the XXI century, interest in sports topics in Georgian cinema has decreased to a minimum, despite the fact that the success of Georgian sports really deserves the attention of cinematographers.


The long-term practice of holding international sports cinema and television festivals in different countries testifies to the great interest in films created on the theme of sports.


Batumi International Festival of Sports Films „Nike“ is being held in Georgia for the first time.

The main goal of the film festival is to introduce the audience to new works of world and Georgian sports cinema with high artistic value, new trends of world sports cinema and to promote the actualization of the sports theme in Georgian cinema.

​Batumi International Sports Film Festival „Nike“ will be held on September 6-12, 2025. Within the framework of the festival, professional meetings, master classes, retrospectives, meetings of Georgian and foreign cinematographers and athletes with cinema and sports
lovers will be held.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Other



 
Logo of Festival de Cine de Santander

Deadline
01 Aug 2026


Published: 23 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Festival De Cine De Santander

Festival de Cine de Santander

Santander, Spain


Only for Spanish Filmmakers.


Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental  Music Video



 
Logo of Bolivia Lab International Short Film Festival: In Short – Intense Glows

Deadline
11 Jul 2026


Published: 23 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films


Banner Festival Internacional de Cortos Bolivia Lab en corto Intensos Fulgores

Bolivia Lab International Short Film Festival: In Short – Intense Glows

Sucre, Bolivia


Only for Ibero-American filmmakers.


A segunda edição do Festival Internacional Bolivia Lab en Corto 2026 “Intensos Fulgores” faz parte do XVIII Bolivia Lab 2026.

O Festival, voltado para a exibição, difusão e fortalecimento do curta-metragem ibero-americano, bem como para o incentivo a novas vozes do setor audiovisual boliviano, convida você a inscrever seu projeto nas diferentes categorias, abertas a pessoas da Bolívia e de toda a Ibero-América.

Este encontro será realizado na cidade de Sucre, Bolívia, tornando-se um espaço de intercâmbio, exibição e celebração do cinema contemporâneo e contará com duas linhas de participação
claramente diferenciadas:

• Curta-metragem nacional e internacional (tema livre).

• Câmara livre nacional, tema (Histórias que migram)

“Histórias que migram” reúne relatos de partida, retorno, espera, transformação e adaptação, destacando as múltiplas formas como as pessoas e as comunidades se relacionam com o território, a memória e o sentimento de pertencimento. O eixo conceitual dialoga simbolicamente com o comportamento das aves migratórias, tomando como referência o maçarico-de-bico-preto, espécie migratória que percorre milhares de quilômetros do hemisfério norte até a América do Sul e que, a cada ano, encontra na Bolívia um de seus territórios de passagem durante sua rota migratória. Sua travessia representa um poderoso símbolo de deslocamento, resistência e adaptação às mudanças ambientais e territoriais.

Publicação obrigatória na rede social TikTok.
Uso da hashtag oficial do festival (#HistoriasQueMigran).

Publicação em perfil público.


HIGHLIGHTED!

International Festival

Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation



 
Logo of Actrum International Film Fest (AIFF)

Deadline
02 Aug 2026


Published: 23 Jun 2026
 Does NOT have submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Actrum International Film Fest (AIFF)

Actrum International Film Fest (AIFF)

Rivas Vaciamadrid, Spain


ACTRUM is a non-profit Cultural Association that works in all areas of the artistic sector.

In this festival, the finalist works will be screened online and it will be open to the public, who will have to vote through our website for their 3 favorite shorts/feature films from each section to award the public prizes.

Register your project! We accept any gender.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other



 
Logo of Antioch film fest

Deadline
26 Jun 2026


Published: 23 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films
Feature films


Banner Antakya Film Festivali

Antakya Film Festivali

Hatay, Turkey


Antakya Film Festival, is an International, competitive festival. (AFF) is a major destination on the Festival circuit and recognized by the sinema Academy as a Qualifying Festival in all film categories. Antakya Film Festival, It is the first meeting point of this region for the international film and media industries.

Mission is to provide a public forum in Antakya in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films. To draw worldwide attention to Antakya as a center for cinema. To encourage the rights of all Antakya residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking, and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure.
In 2023, the Festival presented 800 films, representing work that was shot and produced in 45 countries. The event offers well rounded, and for many, career-establishing experiences. Submit your work before the final deadline!

The festival is for and by independent filmmakers. The organizers of Antakya Film Festival bring 10 years of festival experience to this annual event. Antakya Film Festival accepts submissions in six categories: Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Short Narrative, Short Documentary, Experimental, Short Student, and Animation.

Submissions are open from October to September of the year, the final selection of 150 + films is announced in September, and the film festival takes place in October. Selected films in each category are eligible for several awards. In addition to our lineup of films, the festival also hosts multiple filmmaker parties and networking events at venues around Antakya and Hatay.


International Festival

Short film festival

Feature film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental



 
Logo of 2026 Sparknify Human Vs. AI Film Festival

Deadline
31 Aug 2026


Published: 22 Jun 2026
 Has submission fees
Short films


Banner 2026 Sparknify Human Vs. AI Film Festival

2026 Sparknify Human Vs. AI Film Festival

San Mateo, United States


The Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Festival is a global film festival exploring one of the most defining questions of our time: can machines meaningfully express human emotion—and what does that reveal about us?

The festival brings together traditional filmmakers and generative AI creators on the same stage, not to compete by technique or genre, but to engage in a deeper creative inquiry. Unlike conventional film festivals, Human vs. AI categorizes films by Emotion, asking creators to define their work by what it makes audiences feel rather than how it is made.

Each submitted film is centered on one of seven core human emotions—Joy, Rage, Sorrow, Contentment, Love, Aversion, and Desire. Emotion becomes the common language between human storytelling and machine-generated cinema, and the lens through which all works are evaluated.

More than a competition, the Human vs. AI Film Festival functions as both a Turing Test for AI films and a creative compass for filmmakers. It examines how effectively AI can evoke genuine emotional response, while simultaneously challenging human creators to reflect on how cinema expresses humanity in an age of intelligent machines.

Selected films are reviewed by a panel of distinguished academics and creative leaders spanning cinema, artificial intelligence, and human perception. The festival culminates in a live premiere event featuring nominated films, panel discussions, and dialogue on the future of storytelling at the intersection of technology and emotion.

At its core, the Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Festival is not about humans versus machines—but about emotion as the measure of cinema, connection, and what it means to be human.

*** 2026 Sparknify Human vs. AI Film Premiere
The nominated films will premiere on September 26, 2026 at San Francisco’s famous Delancey Street Screening Room. Located inside the Delancey Street Foundation’s landmark Embarcadero complex, the venue carries a story that goes far beyond cinema. Delancey Street is one of San Francisco’s most extraordinary social enterprises, built around the idea that people can rebuild their lives through work, responsibility, education, and community. Its Embarcadero Triangle complex was constructed in part by Delancey residents themselves, becoming both a physical home and a symbol of transformation on the San Francisco waterfront.

That makes it a fitting home for the Human vs. AI Film Festival: a festival about emotion, humanity, reinvention, and the future of storytelling. Alongside the film premiere, the evening will feature panel discussions on the future of cinematography, product presentations from cutting-edge tech startups, and a festive networking atmosphere, culminating in the awards ceremony honoring the 2026 Sparknify Humanity Award and the emotion category winners.


International Festival

Short film festival


 Fiction  Documentary  Animation  Fantastic  Terror  Other  Experimental