BONITO CINESUR 2025
Bonito South American Film Festival - 2025 | Brazil
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
Competitive screenings of South American new feature and short films made between 2024 and 2025;
Parallel exhibition of South American children's animation film;
Competitive environmental-themed film exhibition;
Competitive exhibition of Mato Grosso do Sul film, with films made between 2024 and 2025;
Awards, debates, rounds of discussions aimed at international agreements;
Exchange with the most important festival directors in South America;
Workshops for children and the general community, workshops for film and audiovisual professionals and academics.
LOCATIONS
CMU - Multiple Use Center
ECOTOURISM, CULTURE and CINEMA
In Brazil’s heart, the city of Bonito is part of the Serra da Bodoquena National Park and one of the most important ecotourism spots in the country.
Mato Grosso do Sul borders Bolivia and Paraguay, from where the state received strong cultural influences and the composition of the ethnic identity of its people.
Bonito has around twenty thousand inhabitants and in this charming city there are rivers with crystal clear water, waterfalls, caves and the most beautiful landscapes of Brazil’s midwest. The cultural hub of Mato Grosso do Sul, Bonito hosts literary and Jazz festivals, besides one winter festival.
Bonito CineSur 2025 - South American Film Festival. Space for the gathering and integration of South American cinema and audiovisual productions, presenting its most recent films and bringing together professionals from all countries of the continent.
In 2024, its second edition enriched the cultural calendar of the city, the country and the continent with the screening of 42 films from 10 South American countries in 120 hours of free programming.
Bonito CineSur has been widely covered in the local and national press and in 2024 it grew in size and relevance with the participation of 40 public and private institutions, reaching 5.000 people directly, fostering the local creative economy by hiring 200 professional production services, technical equipment, as well as hotels, restaurants and transportation.
In 2025, the Bonito CineSur - South American Film Festival will occupy central spaces in the city of Bonito, and will continue to consolidate the convergence of culture - environment - tourism, intercommunicating cinematographically in South America, highlighting environmental issues and promoting the tourist destination of Bonito and our beloved Brazil internationally.
Bonito CineSur 2025 - South American Film Festival
NILSON RODRIGUES - Director
Producer of the movies “O outro lado do paraíso" (2015) and “O pastor e o guerrilheiro” (2022). Nilson was the director of Festival de Brasília do Cinema Brasileiro (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2011), and also of the “Festival Internacional de Cinema de Brasília” - Brazilian International Film Festival (from 2012 to 2017), of Bonito CineSur (2023 and 2024).
ANDREA FREIRE - Coordinator
Coordinator of the Bonito Winter Festival (from 2000 to 2006, 2015 and 2016); coordinator of Festival América do Sul (2004, 2005, 2015 and 2016); coordinator of the Screening Exhibit “Vídeo Índio Brasil” (2009), of the audiovisual production course “Mídias Contemporâneas Narrativas Populares” (2010); director, researcher and writer of the audiovisual series “EVOÉ – Drama Stories in Campo Grande” (2021). Coordinator of Bonito CineSur (2023 and 2024).
GUSTAVO DE ARRUDA CASTELO (Cegonha) - Coordinator
Cultural producer, coordinator of Temporadas Populares (1999 to 2002); General Director of the Mato Grosso do Sul Culture Foundation (2020 to 2022); Coordinator of Bonito CineSur (2023 and 2024).
THERESA HILCAR _ Coordinator
Journalist, columnist, press officer and TV producer. She has been working in the Mato Grosso do Sul press for 35 years and has worked for the most important media outlets. She has published five books and two anthologies. She is a member of the South Mato Grosso Academy of Letters.
JOSÉ GERALDO COUTO – Curator
Born in Jaú, in São Paulo state, in 1957. He is a journalist, translator and film critic. José Geraldo has worked for more than twenty years at the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper. He is currently working at the Moreira Salles Institute. José has translated literary works by Henry James, Norman Mailer, Truman Capote, Martin Scorsese and Nelson Mandela, among others.
CECILIA DIEZ - Curator
University professor, general producer of the Mar del Plata International Film Festival (2021-23) and Ventana Sur (2022-23).
RODRIGO FONSECA - Curator
Curator, critic and researcher of Brazilian cinema, known for his work in curating exhibitions and film festivals, as well as his work as a journalist and teacher.
LUCIANA DRUZINA – Curator of the Anima Sur children's and youth exhibition.
Director of the company Druzina Content, where for over fifteen years she has been producing series, animated films, fiction and games, which are shown in more than fifty countries on the most diverse platforms and channels. . Curator of the parallel children's programming of Bonito CineSur (2023 and 2024).
ELIS REGINA – Curator of the environmental cinema exhibition
Journalist, Elis has already worked as a curator in many events, such as: “Comitiva dos Chefs Festival Movie Exhibit” (2019); Making Of exhibit – “O Cinema Está Aqui – Festcine América do Sul” (2014); “A Imagem do índio exhibit – Vídeo Índio Brasil” (2014 and 2015); “Comida em Movimento Festival – Cinema e Gastronomia” (2023), and the Bonito CineSur South American Environmental Film Festival (2023 and 2024).
MARCOS PIERRY - Curator of the South Mato Grosso Cinema Showcase
Journalist, critic, audiovisual curator, screenwriter, short filmmaker and film professor. He holds a master's degree from USP and a doctorate from UFMG. He is a member of the Brazilian Association of Film Critics (Abraccine). Curator of the Bonito CineSur showcase of cinema from Mato Grosso do Sul (2024).
BONITO CINESUR – South American Film Festival
Production - Associação Amigos do Cinema e da Cultura – AACIC
Private non-profit entity, founded in 2007, which has been developing cultural, educational and training projects for over fifteen years. Among the activities carried out, the “Cinesurdo" projects, The School in Cinema, Contemporary Dialogues, Popular Cinema Circuit and Cinema in Schools stand out, and the Youth Festival.
The association’s experience and technical capacity for developing and carrying out activities in the field of cinema, as well as in training, education and culture in general, has already been attested by the Education, Health and Culture Commission of the City Council of Brasília and by the Brasília University of Brasília.
CONTACT
AACIC Executive Secretary
Dulcinéia Miranda
aacicbonitosur@gmail.com
+55 (61) 98119-5417
Experience the Power of Short Film at the 2nd Annual DIFF Shorts Film Festival
The Dallas International Film Festival proudly presents the 2nd Annual DIFF Shorts Film Festival, a celebration of the art of short-form storytelling. From October 17th - 19th, 2025, join us as we go beyond screenings to foster a dynamic connection between filmmakers, audiences, and the vibrant Dallas arts community.
We believe that film should be placed on the same pedestal as all of the other arts, and that applies equally to short films. Our intention with the DIFF Shorts Film Festival is to elevate the short film and to celebrate shorts filmmakers.
We want to hear your voice! Filmmakers attending DIFF Shorts are encouraged to participate in audience Q&As and panel discussions. We also actively collaborate with Dallas-area high schools and universities, connecting filmmakers with the next generation of storytellers.
Let's shorten the distance between idea and screen. Join us for the DIFF Shorts Film Festival from October 17th - 19th, 2025.
About the Dallas Film Society:
DIFF Shorts is a presentation of DIFF (Dallas Film Society, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 “to celebrate films and their impact on society; to honor filmmakers and recognize their achievements and contribution in enhancing the creative community; to provide educational programs to students to develop better understanding of the role of film in today’s world; and to promote the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking".
This commitment of the early founders to the art of film and the artists who are its creators continues to guide the organization today. In addition, through curation of the broadest range of expression through film, DIFF is committed to serving as the region’s most powerful platform for diverse, emerging, and underrepresented voices. Throughout its history – before DEI was a familiar acronym – DIFF has demonstrated consistent commitment to providing accessible, inclusive, immersive, educational, and entertaining film experiences for all. It is the vision of DIFF that, by promoting wide and thoughtful expression through film, our organization can help foster human connection and greater appreciation for our common humanity and our rich diversity.
Supported by City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
The Latin American Film Week will take place over five consecutive days, officially hosted at the San Martín Cultural Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in November.
During the event, special activities will accompany the screenings:
International forum on distribution and exhibition
Debate among Latin American film critics
Since 2017, we have been creating spaces for meeting and discussion, working hard on audience development. We believe it is important for our audience to have a good experience at each event and to leave with a desire to continue watching Latin American cinema.
The Peachtree Village International Film Festival (PVIFF) represents two decades of dedication to the film and entertainment community. Established in 2005 as the Sweet Auburn International Film Festival, PVIFF has grown into a global platform, attracting over 3,500+ attendees from around the world each year. PVIFF has a legacy that offers an even broader array of programming and opportunities for filmmakers, artists, and industry professionals.
The ZAFIC Festival 2025 call will have 6 lines of development that will be called "Capsules", which will be aimed at 5 different industries with the objective of articulating Cinematography and audiovisual, with new creators and cultural managers.
The capsules that will be developed in the call are:
1. Cinematographic capsule.
2. Musical capsule.
3. Literary capsule.
4. gastronomic capsule.
5. Dance capsule.
6. Cápsula Market Fest
Similarly, different categories detail in each capsule that detail diverse interests, genres and creation formats, as well as their requirements and who can take part.
These projects can come from any country or region, and must be originally developed, subtitled or folded to the Spanish language.
MAC MARIN - Atlantic Films and New Media is a new emerging space that aims to promote the cinema and independent audiovisual creation or at the same time that pays homage to the local talent, valuing the Marin Town identity and its parishs, located in one of the most beautiful corners of Galicia.
Our main objective is to connect the New Galician Cinema to the neighborhood, as well as to seek a connection between local and country creators and creators with other international audiovisual communities. Paying special attention to those who have a strong cultural connection with Galicia and our roots.
You’ve chosen to film. Chosen to put together a visual piece of art if we may say so. Today when anyone with a camera can, in theory, make a film... how will you make your short film stand out? What you intend to do with your film is what the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival is all about. We will be what you create.
After the tremendous success that was BISFF 2024, we are all set to host the 15th edition. Just as every year, this is an attempt to understand the medium a little better and go a little further in inventing new forms of storytelling as filmmakers.
This year the Festival will be a HYBRID Version, having both Online and Venue Screenings. Online Screenings will be only for INDIAN Geography
The festival showcases shorts from across the world, creating a physical space for a great audience experience and bringing together a keen audience for the filmmakers. BISFF also exhibits works by past masters who have dabbled in short filmmaking that today is viewed as an art form that needs a unique approach. Additionally, the festival presents talks and panel discussions with leading thinkers and industry practitioners, enabling budding makers to interact with the best in the industry. BISFF also includes hands on learning experiences in workshops and demonstrations by professionals, putting together an exclusive audience experience and perhaps space for makers to find what they are looking for.
The Bogotá International Documentary Film Festival (MIDBO), organized by the Colombian Documentary Filmmakers Corporation ALADOS, is an event specialized in documentaries that over the past 26 years has consolidated itself in Colombia and Latin America as a fundamental space for exhibition, dialogue, and thought around non-fiction audiovisual works.
For the 27th edition of MIDBO, we invite filmmakers and producers to submit their audiovisual works for the 2025 film call and to participate in various training and discussion spaces that will be held both virtually and in person during the event.
This year, the 27th edition of MIDBO will take place from October 29 to November 7 in Bogotá, Colombia. The event will tour different regions of the country throughout the year, maintaining our "Martes MIDBO-ALADOS" screening series in various partner venues.
After 26 editions, MIDBO continues to work on creating an event that fosters and trusts in reflection on documentaries, the ways in which we approach reality, with our main interest being the many ways of documenting the world. Committed to the goal of unraveling the complexity of a reality that exceeds us, we continue to build each year the ideal space to meet and reflect on documentary work.
For 2025, we maintain our interest in promoting creation and recognizing the efforts of filmmakers by offering two competitive sections: one for Ibero-American feature films and another for national short films. We will award the prize for Best Ibero-American Documentary Feature, for films longer than 60 minutes made in Ibero-America, and the prize for Best National Documentary Short, for films no longer than 30 minutes made in Colombia or by a Colombian. The jury for each competition will be announced one month before the event and will consist of three (3) artists, filmmakers, writers, critics, or cultural managers.
SUMMER SESSION 2025
Are you ready to take your filmmaking or screenwriting career to the next level? The Emerging Talent Film Festival is the perfect platform! This event is specifically designed to recognise and showcase the work of ambitious and talented artists like you.
With live screenings and numerous awards in multiple categories, the Emerging Talent Film Festival is not to be missed.
Since 2016, NRFF has been dedicated to introducing promising filmmakers and screenwriters to producers and industry professionals to help them advance their careers. In addition, thanks to the generosity of the festival's patron, NRFF London has awarded over £5,000 in cash prizes to emerging talent since 2021. This is your chance to join the ranks of talented artists committed to producing exciting and innovative work in the world of film and TV. Don't miss out!
Why should you submit?
Get ready for an exciting opportunity to showcase your talent and get recognised for your work! Submit your film or screenplay to the Emerging Talent Film Festival and you could win prestigious laurels, including Finalist, Official Selection, and Winner. These seals of approval can open doors to other festivals and marketing opportunities, helping you to launch your career as a filmmaker or screenwriter.
Some of the films will have the chance to be screened at the festival's live cinema event, giving you the opportunity to showcase your talent to a wider audience and gain valuable exposure.
How does the submission process work?
• Don't limit your creativity, submit to any of our MAIN CATEGORIES or SUB-CATEGORIES that speak to you!
• All submissions will be reviewed by our team, and the best ones will become Winners and be invited to take part in the New Renaissance Film Festival in London 2025
• Honorable Mentions for those films that are not a winner but stand out in their own right.
Reviews:
"Jan and Massi's festival is fiercely dedicated to promoting the highest caliber of independent cinema around today. Their commitment to championing filmmakers who they believe in is unparalleled in my experience. I've made friends and potentially collaborators for life. I am so privileged to have been a part of this inspiring and life-changing festival.” (Zoë Greenbaum, Emerging Talent Winner)
“I honestly can’t praise this festival high enough! Jan and Massimo are two of the best, most passionate festival directors I’ve ever met. Brilliant audiences that genuinely want to be there, an amazing cinema and brilliant networking throughout. I’m not alone in saying this festival has probably changed my career! Thank you!” (Nicholas Connor, Emerging Talent Winner)
“It's a brilliant festival. One I will continue to submit to throughout my filmmaking career.” (Chris Overton, Oscar Winner)
“This festival is incredible - its focus is on the filmmaker and spotlighting original talent, whether new or emerging, and the art form of filmmaking.” (Reneque Samuels, Emerging Talent Finalist)
“NRFF is a great festival with a lovely film community. I am honoured to have won Emerging Talent and make connections with talented filmmakers at my screening and the award night.” (Michelle Jones, Emerging Talent Winner)
“This was my first in-person film festival and they did an amazing job! Thank you so much for awarding my short script the best young talent screenplay. It means so much! This is definitely a film festival to submit to.!” (Niamh Dann)
“Jan and Massimo present an event that makes me as a filmmaker proud to have been selected. Their "eye" is exactly the one you want on your film. They "see" what you mean and they value a story well told. They inspire me.” (Stephen Mills, Winner)
“What a unique and powerful force of film this is! Always a great venue and always empowering the independent film maker! Thank you for our Award for ‘Swivel’ and for everything you do to push artists, community and film to be all of who we are!” (Lois Norman, Winner)
The ETHEREAL CODE International AI Film and Art Festival stands as a global celebration of the transformative synergy between artificial intelligence, filmmaking, and art. This pioneering event is dedicated to exploring the endless possibilities that AI brings to the realms of creative expression, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in storytelling, cinematography, and artmaking.
The festival serves as a vibrant platform for innovation, imagination, and collaboration, bringing together filmmakers, technologists, artists, researchers, and audiences from around the world. By showcasing groundbreaking AI-driven films and artworks, it seeks to illuminate the ways in which artificial intelligence can revolutionize traditional approaches, creating entirely new paradigms in creativity.
At its core, the festival is more than an exhibition—it is a movement that fosters dialogue about the evolving relationship between art and technology. Through screenings, exhibitions, panels, workshops, and interactive experiences, participants are invited to engage with cutting-edge technologies and explore their role in shaping the future of cinema and art.
Our mission is to inspire a global community of visionaries to embrace AI not merely as a tool, but as a partner in the creative process. By empowering artists and creators to experiment, innovate, and redefine their craft, we aim to cultivate a space where the impossible becomes possible and where the future of visual storytelling is written today.
Through this convergence of art, science, and technology, The ETHEREAL CODE International AI Film and Art Festival aspires to build a legacy of creativity that transcends boundaries, sparking a new era of cinematic and artistic excellence.
ShorTS International Film Festival (ShorTS IFF) is organised by the Maremetraggio Association.
Since 2000, ShorTS IFF has been a landmark for short films and up and coming cinematographers at international level. In every edition, ShorTS IFF aims to make the short film genre known to a broad and heterogeneous audience, with particular attention to the young with specific sections for children and teenagers aged 6 to 15.
The Sax International Film Festival, in the province of Alicante, qualifier for the Goya Awards, arises through the initiative of the filmmaker and writer Miguel Herrero Herrero. Since its creation in 2006, the festival has had the support of the Sax City Council and is backed by: Generalitat Valenciana, Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH), University of Alicante, (UA), Alicante Provincial Council,... In the festival the best short films and feature film projects compete in competition. The event has numerous cinematographic activities: shows, exhibitions, concerts, book presentations, courses, workshops, tributes, master classes and meetings with renowned professionals such as the actor and director Aldo Sambrell, the animator and director Raúl García, the actor Carlos Santos, the director and producer Gonzalo García Pelayo, the actress Sonia Almarcha, the composer Luis Ivars, the writer and critic Carlos Aguilar, etc.
Sofia MENAR Film Festival is organized by Pozor company.
Sofia MENAR Film Festival makes Bulgarian audience familiar with the culture and traditions of the Islamic world. The programme of Sofia MENAR Film Festival presents the best of Middle East and North Africa cinema productions, including feature films, documentaries and short projects. A lot of accompanying events are organised within the frames of the festival. These events are particularly selected and bound up with the countries of this region, representing traditions and customs of the ethnic groups that inhabit its lands.
The festival is held every year in January and runs at the same time in Sofia and other major Bulgarian cities. MENAR is organised by "Pozor" as one of a kind Balkans` largest cultural event representing Muslim world and its traditions.
Amongst the directors whose films have been presented during the festival are names such as Abbas Kiarostami, Majid Majidi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Ümit Ünal, Asghar Farhadi, Panahbarkhoda Rezaee, Hany Abu-Assad, Bahman Ghobadi, Reza Mir-Karimi, Eran Riklis, Derviş Zaim, Hüseyin Karabey, Susan Youssef, Nacer Khemir, Nadir Mokneche ...
Sofia MENAR Film Festival continues the tradition of "Flowers of the Qu`ran" Film Festival, organised 4 years on end, from 2009 to 2012 making the Bulgarian audience acquainted with more than 120 film productions that bring the spirit of the East.
The term MENAR, for "Middle East and North Africa Region", is an acronym often used to cover an extensive area, stretching from Morocco to Iran, including the majority of both the Middle Eastern and Maghreb countries.
Athens Marathon International Film Festival (A.M.I.F.F.) is an annual international event dedicated for independent filmmakers. Established this year by “THE BASEMENT” a nonprofit and non-governmental Cultural and Education Organization (B.C.E.O.).
Located in the city of Athens, we look forward to be hosting an amazing event with you and your friends. The A.M.I.F.F. is a multi-day event that takes place in the Beggining of Summer at venues throughout Athens-Greece.
Our wish is for the venues to be open air cinemas in the authentic ancient classical Marathon route from Marathon to Athens. Viewers will enjoy free movies on the white screen, under the full of stars sky of Attika and next to the deep blue of the Aegean sea.
The A.M.I.F.F. want to be a world recognized event, with industry, filmmakers, and press attention from around the globe. The festival is competitive, screening approximately 40-60 films each year.
The film industry today is largely monopoly-based and dependent on large scale budgets for productions to succeed. However, this festival aims at providing a voice for those who don't have a massive budget at their hands but nevertheless, an important story to tell.
According to one of the objectives of our non-profit organization to providing a platform for indie filmmakers, we are able to provide an affordable solution catered to advance the cause of independent film-making. Therefore the submissions starts priced from 10 euro.
ATTENTION:
EVEN ENGLISH FILM WITHOUT SAME-LANGUAGE SUBTITLES OR HARD SUBTITLES BE DISQUALIFIED. ALL FILMS MUST HAVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES IN OPEN FORMAT WITH EXTENSION .SRT OR .TXT
The festival was created in 2015 and has the goal to become a space for professional development for filmmakers and amateurs that are looking for a platform to show their films and do some networking.
It has different categories for competition open for high school and university students (in Mexico) and international filmmakers. In addition, it has two international film exhibitis, one for gender and sexual diversity and one for long feature films.
You can find more info in cchfilmfest.com
The festival offers a contemporary and liberal platform for the filmmakers of the World to exhibit the excellence of the film art form. The aim is mainly to contribute to the understanding and appreciation of cultures of different nations. We hope to present complex human situations of this rapidly changing world in the globalized era. The Festival Committee reserves the right to exclude films which are not in conformity with aims of the Festival, or which could offend the national feelings and susceptibilities of any participating country, or are likely to promote racial discrimination. Films not presenting sufficient technical qualities for good public screening can be refused after checking of the prints by the Print Checking Unit of the Film Festival Office. Date and Place: OCTOBER/NOVEMBER ANNUALLY IN ABUJA
The Coordinadora Latinoamericana de Cine y Comunicación de los Pueblos Indígenas (CLACPI) opens a call to participate in the 15th International Festival of Indigenous Peoples’ Film and Communications “Voices and Pictures of Our Mother Earth” which will take place between June 20 and 28 of 2025 in Peru. It will feature community exhibitions and screenings in the regions of Ayacucho, Lima, Loreto and Ucayali.
CLACPI, through its member organizations in Peru - CHIRAPAQ Centro de Culturas Indígenas del Perú , Asociación Interétnica de Desarrollo de la Selva Peruana (AIDESEP) and Escuela de Cine Amazónico – invite our indigenous sisters and brothers in all continents, indigenous organizations, indigenous and non-indigenous collectives, communicators, filmmakers, producers and all people across the world that produce, promote and showcase audiovisual projects that reflect the voices, visions, knowledge and struggles of indigenous peoples, to participate in this Festival.
The International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival (IPRHFF)’s mission is to create platforms that allow a diverse pool of influencers in filmmaking to reach a broader audience. We develop programs that allow local and international filmmakers, from emerging artists to film industry veterans, to reach out to audiences throughout New York City and beyond.
Our goal is to foster a collaborative environment for artists from all countries to explore issues inherent to the heritage of Puerto Rico, its diaspora, and explore stories relevant to the larger Latino community.
This Multicultural Festival Is Open To All Filmmakers.
