10th CALIBÉLULA International Children’s and Youth Film Festival 2026
We joyfully celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Calibélula International Children’s and Youth Film Festival, an experience built together with filmmakers, institutions, and especially with children and teenagers who have found in cinema a means of expression, participation, and transformation.
Throughout this decade, the Festival has grown without losing its essence: wonder, creativity, and a sensitive way of looking at the world. In this commemorative edition, we reaffirm our commitment to new generations by incorporating new forms of audiovisual creation and opening space for narrative and technological innovation.
Since 2017, Calibélula has established itself as a space for:
• Film exhibition
• Audience development
• Audiovisual creation
With a presence in:
• Movie theaters
• Educational institutions
• Cultural and community spaces
• Mobile screenings and touring programs
The Festival includes an educational approach through Calibélula in the Classroom, where children and teenagers participate in:
• Audiovisual creation workshops
• Educational processes
• Meetings with filmmakers
• Critical viewing experiences in relation to cinema
We invite national and international filmmakers to participate with works aimed at children and youth audiences that promote:
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Diversity
• Coexistence
• Connection with the environment
The Festival has been able to consolidate itself thanks to the results achieved, following the participation of important directors, producers, and filmmakers who, through their cinematic and audiovisual works, have made high-quality content possible, as well as thanks to the participation of public and private sector organizations that have supported the Festival and the development of new training initiatives prior to the final event.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
• Feature Films (46–90 min)
• Short Films (up to 25 min)
• Series – Maximum 2 Episodes
• Libelulit@s (works created by children and youth)
NATIONAL COMPETITION – COLOMBIA
• Feature Film
• Short Film
• Series – Maximum 2 Episodes
• Libelulit@s
SPECIAL CATEGORY: CINEMA AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES
As part of the 10th anniversary of the Calibélula Festival, a special category is being launched dedicated to new forms of audiovisual creation, in which works that integrate emerging technologies into their creative process may participate.
This category seeks to explore new narratives, innovative visual languages, and experimental forms of creation aimed at children and youth audiences.
The use of Artificial Intelligence will be allowed as a creative tool within different audiovisual genres, including:
• Animation
• Fiction
• Documentary
• Experimental
• Hybrid narratives
• New audiovisual formats
Artificial Intelligence may be integrated into different stages of the creative process, such as:
• Script development
• Visual creation
• Animation
• Editing and post-production
• Sound design
• Character and environment creation
Evaluation criteria
• Narrative creativity
• Innovation in audiovisual language
• Creative use of emerging technologies
• Narrative coherence
• Relevance for children and youth audiences
• Ethical approach to the use of technological tools
LIBELULIT@S CATEGORY
Category aimed at children and young people between 7 and 17 years old.
Priority will be given to:
• Original idea
• Personal expression
• Relationship with their environment
• Audiovisual creativity
