The 2nd CINE GRANDE DO NORTE is an International Film Festival held in the city of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The festival will be a joint initiative of the Extension Office of Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (PROEX/UERN), BNB Cultural Mossoró, Cineatro/UERN, Mistério Filmes, Gato Laranja Produções, RQB Produções, and Piquê Produções, and will take place from October 26 to 30, 2026 at Centro Cultural Banco do Nordeste Mossoró.
In an ever-changing cultural landscape, the 2nd CINE GRANDE DO NORTE aims to provide a platform for filmmakers from Rio Grande do Norte, allowing diverse narratives, aesthetics, and identities to be recognized and appreciated by audiences. Furthermore, the event will contribute to the development of the audiovisual industry in the state, encouraging new creations and promoting exchange among artists, technicians, and lovers of the seventh art in Brazil and around the world.
The objective is to foster film production, cultural education, and the appreciation of cinema as an instrument of education and social transformation. The initiative aims to promote competitive screenings of short films (fiction, documentary, and animation), completely free to the public, in four categories: (1) the “Potiguar Showcase,” prioritizing productions from Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil; (2) the “Children’s Showcase,” dedicated to Brazilian films for children of all ages; (3) the “Brazil Showcase,” with productions from anywhere in the country; and (4) the “World Showcase,” which will feature films from filmmakers around the globe.
By bringing together works that reflect the cultural, social, and historical diversity of the people of Rio Grande do Norte, the Potiguar Showcase reinforces the role of UERN, Cineatro/UERN and Banco do Nordeste Cultural as promoters of regional and national culture. The initiative represents more than just film screenings; it is also a platform for resistance, expression, and belonging. At a time when democratizing access to culture and opportunities in the arts is essential, the event stands as a significant milestone in consolidating inclusive cultural policies and strengthening the audiovisual identity of Northeastern Brazil.
The World Showcase also offers an opportunity for filmmakers from other countries to screen their international productions and promote cultural exchange, connecting local audiences with diverse narratives, aesthetics, and perspectives from global cinema. The section is intended for independent filmmakers—from emerging talents to experienced professionals—as well as producers, screenwriters, and other audiovisual professionals interested in circulating their works, exchanging experiences, and strengthening collaborative networks on the international stage.
The festival will also feature educational workshops related to cinema and its multiple languages, providing local audiences with enriching opportunities for learning and cultural engagement. These activities will take place in the afternoon, according to the official schedule. In addition, the Festival will include the Brazil Children's Showcase, featuring selected children's films (rated suitable for all audiences) for students from public schools in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte.
The second edition of the event will also include the "Warm-Up Screenings," during which selected short films from the competitive sections will be screened in rural communities, specifically in Maísa and Pau Branco communities, Mossoró/RN. This initiative will take place over two evenings through MovCEU, a mobile cultural vehicle operated by UERN's Extension Office, acquired through the Ministry of Culture's Territórios da Cultura program to bring extension activities to municipalities in the interior of Rio Grande do Norte. This initiative aims to expand the festival's social and cultural reach, ensuring that Potiguar audiovisual productions reach diverse audiences, especially those in areas with limited access to formal cultural activities. In this way, the Warm-Up Screenings will integrate the Festival into the daily lives of these communities, promoting cinema as a tool for dialogue, education, and belonging, while strengthening the presence of UERN, the Cineatro/UERN Extension Project, and BNB Cultural Mossoró in communities throughout the state, reaffirming their commitment to university outreach and the dissemination of art and culture.
