Ciclo de Cine Centroamericano - Viena (18)

Festival Start: 15 November 2026      Festival Ende: 21 November 2026

The Central American Film Festival in Vienna has become a firmly rooted tradition, establishing itself as a key cultural event in the city.

Vienna, recognized as one of the world's most important cultural hubs, provides an ideal and prestigious platform to showcase the increasingly innovative and notable productions emerging from the Central American region.

This year, the festival returns from November 15 to 21, 2026, with the hope of once again welcoming our loyal audience, who will have the opportunity to enjoy the latest and most outstanding works of Central American cinema.

The program includes the categories of Feature Film, Short Film, Documentary, and Animation, along with several non-competitive parallel sections, including: "Pioneers of Central American Cinema," "Works in Progress," "Guest Film," "Bonus Films," and "Latin American Perspective," the latter dedicated to works portraying contemporary life in Latin America. All details are specified in the official festival regulations.

The awards will be determined through direct voting by the audience during the film screenings. The festival organizers will present the following recognitions in digital format:

a) Best Feature Film of the Festival

b) Best Short Film of the Festival

c) Best Documentary of the Festival

d) Best Animated Film of the Festival

e) Special Audience Award (second highest rated film, regardless of category)

In case of closely contested voting results, shared awards and honorable mentions will be granted.

Central American Film Festival – Vienna, Austria

From November 15 to 21, 2026, the 18th Central American Film Festival will take place in Vienna (Austria).

Call for Entries

Papaya Media Association, the event's organizer, invites filmmakers to submit their work for pre-selection in the 18th edition of the Festival, both for the Official Competition and for the parallel sections. Submission is free of charge (except when a third-party platform requires a minimal submission fee). The deadline is July 30, 2026. Submission details are described in the official regulations.

Participation Rules

a) Submission is free of charge (except when a third-party platform requires a minimal submission fee). The Official Competition is open to Central American films and co-productions completed in 2024, 2025, or 2026.

b) Films previously submitted, presented, or awarded at other festivals are eligible to participate. Being premiered in their country of origin is also not a restriction.

c) Works may be submitted for the Official Competition or for non-competitive sections. For the latter, there is no restriction on the year of production.

Participation Requirements

Applicants must submit information about the works to be considered, whether for the competition or non-competitive sections, to: callforentries@centroamerica.at

Alternatively, the material may be uploaded to a server or platform for download.

The Festival collaborates with Festhome (http://festhome.com) for submissions. If applying via Festhome, their platform terms must be accepted, and direct submissions will be disregarded. Deadline: July 30, 2026.

Required Documents

a) A fully completed submission form (available at www.centroamerica.at or on the platform).

b) Supporting materials:

Posters and promotional materials (if available)

Film stills in 300 dpi resolution (minimum)

Shipping of Materials

Shipping costs must be covered by the participants.

Shipments must be marked as documentation and labeled: "No commercial value, for cultural purposes only."

Send to:

Enrique Bedoya
18th MAFF
Brünner Strasse 31/2/34
A-1210 Vienna – Austria

Festival Sections

Competition Categories:

Fiction Feature Film

Fiction Short Film

Animated Short Film

Documentary Feature Film

Documentary Short Film

Non-Competitive Parallel Sections:

"Pioneers of Central American Cinema"

"Guest Film"

"Latin American Perspective"

"Works in Progress"

"Bonus Films"

Selection Process

Works will be evaluated by the Selection Committee, composed of the Festival Coordination and its advisors.

Results will be published on the Festival website and through Festhome starting October 30, 2026.

No individual notifications will be sent to non-selected works. Official selection is final and not subject to appeal.

Screening Copy Requirements

Accepted formats: DCP, H264 HD, 35 mm, Digital Betacam, DVD (PAL), or Blu-ray.

Submissions not meeting the technical requirements of these regulations will be automatically disqualified.

Language Requirements

As the Festival is primarily aimed at a German-speaking audience, all films must be subtitled in German or English.

Official Awards

Awards will be decided by audience vote. The Festival will present the following recognitions in digital format:

Best Feature Film of the Festival

Best Short Film of the Festival

Best Documentary of the Festival

Best Animation of the Festival

Special Audience Award (second highest rated film, regardless of category)

In the case of ties or close scores, shared prizes and honorable mentions may be granted.

Organizer Rights

The Festival reserves the right to make a digital copy of the selected films for screening (indoor, open-air, or online) and for archiving purposes.

These copies will not be used commercially and may only be used for educational or cultural events organized by the Festival.

Vienna is the Festival's main venue. A selection of films may be screened in future events in Vienna or in other Austrian or European cities depending on interest.

The Festival, as a cultural, non-profit event, does not provide payment of screening fees, projection rights, or any analogous fees for the selection or exhibition of works.

Submission implies full acceptance of these regulations.

Once submitted, a film cannot be withdrawn from the Festival for any reason.

Contact

For submissions, inquiries, or further information:

Central American Film Festival
Vienna, Austria
callforentries@centroamerica.at
www.centroamerica.at