Vertical Movie Festival 2026 – 9th Edition
Vertical Movie Festival is an international film festival dedicated exclusively to vertical cinema (9:16), created to celebrate innovation, experimentation, and new audiovisual languages.
The festival invites filmmakers from all over the world to submit short films created specifically in vertical format.
Main Award
The Overall Winner will receive a professional digital cinema camera:
Canon EOS C50
(value: €3,800)
offered by Canon, Technical Sponsor of the festival.
Festival Dates & Venue
Rome, Italy – Casa del Cinema
September 30 – October 2, 2026
Competition Sections
* Vertical Green
* Vertical Voices
* Vertical AI
* Vertical Open
Technical Requirements
* Maximum duration: 10 minutes (credits excluded)
* Format: Vertical 9:16
* Accepted resolutions:
* 1080 × 1920 (Full HD)
* 2160 × 3840 (4K)
* or higher
* Accepted formats: MP4 / MOV
* Codec: H.264 / H.265
Films may be shot with any device, including smartphones, cameras, or professional cinema cameras.
Submission Deadline
August 31, 2026
Student Entries
Free submission for film students
(valid student ID may be required)
New for 2026
Vertical Talent – Powered by Canon
A special out-of-competition section for filmmakers residing in Italy, dedicated to the development of new vertical film projects.
The sixth Slemani International Film Festival will take place this October, bringing together renowned filmmakers from both national and international stages. This year's festival will feature seven competition sections, with a total of 19 awards to be presented. The festival's theme will focus on the Kurdish language and mother tongue, highlighting linguistic and cultural identity through cinema.
Eurasia Kinofest it's is a big film festival. Last year, 90 films from 25 countries were shown as part of the festival, and 400 guests from 30 countries came to the festival.
This year we are planning an even larger scale.
Three competitive programs
Special events
Non-competition screenings and retrospectives
Business program - panel sessions and public talks with experts from different countries
Master classes, theatre performances and much more...
festival without entry fees
♫ CALL FOR INDEPENDENT, EXPERIMENTAL WORKS OF ALL GENRES ♫
Applications for the Winter 2026 edition open on June 17! Winter 2026 edition will stream from December 13 to 21 on our website.
Pebbles Underground film and video art platform is focused on showcasing experimental, avant-garde, underground, and no-to-low budget independent films and video art projects from all over the world.
If you're making slow films, performance films, dance films, experimental docs, essay films, hybrids, non-films of an absurd, uncanny, witty, humorous, queer, political, or something no one has the name for yet – we're here for you!
The artists selected for the programs keep ALL the rights.
Attention! We will never include your work in the screening without your permission. If your work is selected, you will receive a lengthy email containing details regarding the program, and asking for your permission to screen the work.
Attention! The selection process is continuous, we don't wait for the last day to watch all the submissions, we watch them as they come in.
✧ FORM/GENRE CRITERIA:
~ Experimental, expanded, artistic documentaries, and mockumentaries (any topic)
~ Experimental, avant-garde, underground, surrealist films, animation, cgi, video art, and mixed techniques (any topic)
~ Screendance, experimental dance, video performance (any topic)
~ Web-based experimental and/or interactive projects; e.g. interactive films/videos, games (any topic)
~ Experimental works 30 minutes and over, any of the above mentioned category (any topic)
✧ NOTIFICATION STATUS EXPLAINED:
~ Selected - your film is selected and will be included in the online screening (after receiving your permission)
~ Semi-Finalist - your film was not selected to be included in the online screening, but it was competing to be in the final selection.
~ Not selected - this makes us just as sad as you, but...
✧ DRM ENCRYPTED ONLINE FORMAT OF THE SCREENING
~ We are using a video hosting service with DRM encryption, to prevent illegal download of your films during our online screenings, and subtle watermarking. We are not using youtube, or vimeo.
✧ ADDITIONAL INFO
~ All online programs will be FREE TO WATCH
~ If you are a filmmaker from Palestine, Sudan, Georgia, Iran, Armenia, Syria, Lebanon, Belarus, North Korea, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Ethiopia, please write to us for a submission discount or a fee waiver code. In your email, please include the link to the work you are planning to submit.
For questions: pebblesunderground@gmail.com
_
✧ ABOUT US
Pebbles Underground is an independent project not funded by any government or corporation, and we intend to keep it that way. The main funding comes from personal donations from artists-humans organizing the project and the main drive of the project is formed by the energy and involvement of the organizers, the filmmakers, and the public.
COCINE is a film show dedicated to exploring and celebrating the richness of gastronomy and food culture through audiovisual art. This event seeks to highlight the deep connection between food and culture, offering a window into the stories behind each dish, recipe and culinary tradition.
From innovation in the kitchen to the preservation of traditional food practices, COCINE is a space where filmmakers, chefs, farmers and food lovers can converge and share their passion for gastronomy. Here, we explore how planting clean and sustainable products can strengthen the traditional cuisines of towns and communities, and how gastronomic culture evolves and adapts in a constantly changing world.
COCINE is an event of the Corporación Gastronómica de Popayán in alliance with the Popayán Short Film Festival that takes place within the framework of the Popayán Gastronomic Congress.
LusOFest is a regional festival for Portuguese-language film in Offenbach am Main, Germany. It shows a small selection of feature films, short films and documentaries from the Portuguese-speaking world, known as the Lusophonia. Besides Portuguese-language films, the short film competition also accepts local productions from Hesse and the Rhine-Main area.
The festival takes place at the Hafen 2 Offenbach, the studio 57Nord, and the Digital Retro Park museum.
FilmeTrad – International Film Festival of Traditions is a film festival dedicated to documentary cinema exploring traditions, cultural heritage, and ways of life from different territories around the world.
The festival takes place in Asturias (Spain), with a territorial approach across several rural municipalities where cultural heritage remains an active part of community life. FilmeTrad aims to create a meeting point between cinema, territory, and citizens, using audiovisual language as a tool to reflect on collective memory and cultural identities.
The program focuses on documentary films — both short and feature-length — addressing traditions, crafts, rituals, music, and ways of life connected to intangible cultural heritage, offering contemporary and diverse perspectives on communities.
THE CULTURE DEPARTMENT OF GUADALCANAL TOWN COUNCIL (SEVILLE) IS ORGANISING THE 8TH EDITION OF THE GUADALCANAL EN CORTO SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, ENTITLED ‘SMILE, PLEASE’, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 22 TO 24 OCTOBER 2026.
The "Corto di sera" Festival takes place in August in Itala, in the province of Messina since 2012.
Participation to the Festival is free and open to all Italians and foreign authors, single filmmakers orcollectives/associations.
- The Festival is exclusively dedicated to short films that last less than 20minutes.
- Any genre will be accepted (documentary, fiction, classic and/or digital animation)
- All foreign works shot in any language which is not Italian must be subtitled in Italian . Non-subtitled foreign short films will not be selected.
- Each author may submit up to a maximum of three works.
- The organizers reserve the possibility to create additional sections.
Festival’s purpose is to promote the independent short film production in all its forms as an artistic and expressive language. The aim of to create an annual event in Italy where filmmakers, video makers, professionals or enthusiasts cinema can meet and connect different experiences.
We proudly announce 13th edition of PCISFF in December, 2026.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Before submitting your entry/entries please be informed that your film(s) will be screened in various Colleges, schools and Universities of Rajasthan, for free. The audience will watch and rate your film on the spot. On the basis of their ratings, best films will be short listed. These films will then be judged by our jury.
No compensation is admissible for the screening of your film(s). Your film(s) can also be shown on local or national TV channels. No royalty will be paid for such screening.
People expecting any payment for the screening of their films are requested not to send any entry to PCISFF.
La Oca Loca&Prisión Film Fest
Festival Internacional de Cine
Two Sections: JURY PRIZE FOR BEST FICTION SHORT FILM (Jury composed of prisoners from the Daroca Penitentiary Center - Spain) and PRIZE FOR BEST SHORT FILM MADE BY FILM WORKSHOPS IN PENITENTIARY CENTERS - FICTION AND/OR DOCUMENTARY - (Jury composed of Professionals from the audiovisual sector).
This is the only online Film Festival in the world in which the prisoners belonging to the Film Workshop of the Daroca Penitentiary Center (Spain) have an intense and active participation:
Viewing, pre-selecting and deciding the Awards (along with a Jury of professionals of the sector);
Participating in the filming of a comedy sketch alongside an honored star, as well as in all the previous phases – such as the script, planning, acting, lighting, sound and production – and in its post-production;
And in the preparation and conduct of interviews with the aforementioned honored star and other illustrious visitors to the prison.
A job lasting several months that has a very positive impact on their social reintegration.
Ambrosia — the Spring Festival of Living Cinema
What is Ambrosia? Both the nectar of the gods and a poisonous plant. Our festival is just like that — a fusion of contrasts: inspiration and aftertaste, admiration and disillusion, the sublime and the ordinary.
At the Ambrosia International Film Festival, you’ll see world cinema in all its forms and moods — from comedy to tragedy, from documentaries to animation, from student shorts to full-length works by seasoned filmmakers.
We celebrate cinema that breathes, argues, surprises, and dares to be different. Ambrosia is a space where fresh ideas meet experience, and audiences can taste film — sometimes sweet, sometimes sharp, sometimes burning just a little.
The spring edition of Ambrosia is a celebration of contrasts and discoveries — where films awaken emotion and leave an aftertaste worth talking about.
All officially selected films will be shown on the big screen during the solemn final ceremony on April 23 – 25, 2027 in Moscow, Russia, and will be able to struggle for the main prize and the title of the “Best Film”. As well as for the prizes in the standalone nominations.
Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival was recently named one of the "12 Must-Attend Film Festivals in North America" by Destination Film Guide in their 2025 annual edition. “Perfectly situated between the posh energy of Tulum and the laid-back vibes of Playa del Carmen, PAIFF is an ideal destination festival setting... primed to scale into one of the most sought-after cultural getaways on the international festival calendar.” With a vibrant local vibe and strong international presence, PAIFF continues to grow as a premier cultural destination on the global festival circuit.
Set in the breathtaking Riviera Maya community of Puerto Aventuras, Mexico, PAIFF is a destination-style, five-day international film festival known for its highly interactive atmosphere and vibrant screening locations. At PAIFF, audiences do more than watch films. They become an essential part of the judging process, adding a meaningful and dynamic layer to filmmaker recognition.
PAIFF brings filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world together to build lasting relationships, exchange ideas, and celebrate outstanding work. Against a stunning Caribbean backdrop of pristine beaches and world-class amenities, the festival creates an unforgettable experience designed to elevate filmmakers, connect powerful stories with appreciative audiences, and encourage genuine industry engagement.
As a proud member of Film Festival Alliance, PAIFF is committed to responsible festival practices and open communication. We believe sustainable growth depends upon maintaining a fair and transparent relationship among filmmakers, festival organizers, industry professionals, and audiences. As PAIFF continues to scale, we remain dedicated to strengthening that balance, supporting our local community, and contributing to the responsible growth of the wider independent film ecosystem.
Join us for our fourth season and become part of a cinematic journey where creativity flourishes, meaningful connections are made, and filmmakers and audiences come together in the heart of the Riviera Maya.
11th Santaella Short Film Festival, October 24, 2026.
The primary aim of this competition is to promote audiovisual expression and foster cultural diversity. We understand short films as an essential artistic manifestation that transcends mere entertainment, acting as a vehicle for exploring diverse social and artistic perspectives.
Through this call for entries, the festival aims to:
• Boost the visibility of emerging and established talent.
• Create exhibition spaces that enrich the cultural landscape.
• Foster an appreciation for cinema, facilitating encounters between creators and audiences to deepen our understanding of our environment.
Organized and supported by:
Celuloide Film Association
Santaella Town Hall and Campiña Cathedral
Regional Government of Andalusia, Ministry of Tourism
Small festival of independent short filmS. It is intended to publicize independent proposals, without large institutional grants or large producers behind them. Therefore, the idea and the illusion are prioritized over the big budgets or the professionalism of the team.
The 2nd Audiovisual Exhibition of Film and Education. Projecting Memory, Challenging Education. 50 Years After the Coup. To be held from September 2nd to 5th, 2026 in Luján, San Miguel, Moreno, San Fernando (Province of Buenos Aires) and virtually, organized by the Department of Education of the National University of Luján, calls for the submission of short films on education and memory, 50 years after the 1976 civic-military coup in Argentina.
WELCOME TO SHORTS WRAP
Shorts Wrap organizes a curated screening of auteur short films, taking place from 11–13 December 2026 at the iconic Kino Úsmev in Košice, Slovakia. The Best Short Film will receive the Golden Fountain Award, which includes a €1,000 cash prize and a mentorship programme supporting the director's next short film project.
In collaboration with the Košice International Film Festival, Shorts Wrap also offers participants a programme of workshops, masterclasses, and networking events with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals.
Shorts Wrap collaborates with more than 10 film directors, screenwriters, and producers whose works have premiered in the Short Film Competition or La Cinef (student short films) section of the Cannes Film Festival.
OUR COLLABORATORS
* Gunnur Martinsdóttir Schluter (Iceland) – Special Mention, Cannes Film Festival 2023
* Raymund Ribay Gutierrez (Philippines) – Official Selection, Cannes 2016 & 2018; Jury Prize, Venice Orizzonti 2019
* Helena Brooks (Australia) – Official Selection, Cannes 2005
* Javier Palleiro (Uruguay) – Official Selection, Cannes 2008
* Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk (Ukraine) – Official Selection, Directors’ Fortnight 2022; Sundance 2023
* Erenik Beqiri (Albania) – Official Selection, Cannes 2019; Jury Prize, Venice Orizzonti 2023
* Lucía Florez (Peru) – Official Selection, Sundance 2022
* Elżbieta Bęnkowska (Poland) – Official Selection, Cannes 2013
* Dániel Erdélyi (Hungary) – Official Selection, Cannes 2008
* Carla Melo Gampert (Colombia) – Official Selection, Cannes 2023
* Karni Arieli & Saul Freed (UK) – Official Selection, Cannes 2023
* Daria Kashcheeva (Czech Republic) – Official Selection, Sundance 2020; Cannes 2023; Oscar nominee 2020 and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Our collaborators write reviews of the world's most acclaimed short films while also serving as mentors for emerging filmmakers. You can learn more about them on our website: shortswrap.eu.
You can also find us on social media under @shorts_wrap, where we regularly share important updates from the world of short films, including key submission deadlines for festivals that qualify films for the Academy Awards, BAFTA, and the European Film Awards (EFA). During the Academy Awards and BAFTA awards season, we also publish our predictions in the short film categories.
In addition, Shorts Wrap operates as a film distribution company. Films selected by Shorts Wrap have been included in the Shorts Wrap Curated Selection and showcased in the Short Film Corner Catalogue in collaboration with the Cinéma de Demain initiative at the Cannes Film Festival. We have also participated in the Breakfast Meetings, where we presented the Shorts Wrap platform to international industry professionals. Representatives from several major organisations attended our presentation, including Berlinale Generation, the Venice International Film Festival (La Biennale di Venezia), and many others.
Among the films we have supported is the animated short Psychonauts, which received a Special Mention at the 65th Annecy International Animation Film Festival, as well as Ianna, which was screened at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.
TEAM
Shorts Wrap was founded by Erik Jasaň, whose short film qualified for the Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category and was screened at Balinale, the Tirana International Film Festival, the Odense International Film Festival, the St Kilda Film Festival, and the HollyShorts Film Festival. He has also served as a pre-selection screener for the Norwich Film Festival, the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, and the IndyShorts International Film Festival. The festival's International Ambassador is Patrik Krivánek, a BAFTA member.
Podcultura Film Festival, now in its 7th edition, is a prominent event whose main objective is to promote world cinema and provide recognition to the best films and series. The festival awards certificates, offers press coverage, and promotes selected works across its various media channels.
With a vision of bringing the art of television and cinema to a wide audience, Podcultura Film Festival has become a prestigious platform for both national and international filmmakers. The festival recognizes excellence in the film industry and celebrates the creativity and talent of professional, independent, and emerging filmmakers.
The submission process to participate in the festival is simple and convenient, carried out through the Festhome website, where filmmakers can submit their works and compete for the opportunity to be recognized at this distinguished event.
Podcultura Film Festival is supported by its founder, Sandra Camillo, a prominent figure in the film world, and is produced by the @podcultura team, who are dedicated to organizing this important event for the film industry.
With its focus on promoting and celebrating global cinema, Podcultura Film Festival continues to strengthen its commitment to providing a platform for cinematic talent and offering audiences a wide range of meaningful, high-quality works.
For more information about Podcultura Film Festival, you can follow @podcultura on social media and visit the official website.
For press inquiries and more information, please contact:
Info:
Founder: @sandracamillo
Produced by: @podcultura
The FICINDIE Festival is based on publicizing the importance and relevance of independent and auteur cinema worldwide, and the importance and need to have the Canary Islands, and specifically the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, as a World Heritage Site and the Canary Islands as an relevant place to make independent Cinema, as a natural and ideal setting for this type of story, due to its characteristics and aesthetics, as well as the variety of professionals from the independent audiovisual sector who reside here. This Festival is made up of artists, producers and professionals from indie cinema, to give it value and show its importance.
The Shortfilm Festival "San Rafael in short" aims dissemination, disclosure and the screening of cinematographic works as well as the knowledge of these by the audience.
The works presented not opt to a prize or award, only the assessment of the audience.
