Festival de Cine del Cusco (2)

Festival start: 06 November 2026      Festival end: 14 November 2026

The Cusco Film Festival is a cultural initiative that seeks to establish a space for gathering, exhibition, and dialogue centered on contemporary cinema. It stems from the need to reevaluate the art of filmmaking as a form of expression that reflects the identity, diversity, and living memory of our region and our country. The festival is held in the city of Cusco, the cultural heart of Peru, where images interact with the mountains, languages, and peoples who inhabit them. The festival brings together local, national, and international filmmakers in a celebration of cinema as both an art form and a tool for social transformation.

Our festival seeks to highlight the innovation, narrative power, and unique vision of filmmakers from around the world, while also paying tribute to the cinematic creation of our region.

Our Official Jury will award the Festival Trophy to the winners of the following competitions:

???? Grand Jury Prize: Best Feature Film
A recognition of mastery in constructing narrative universes and directing actors.

???? Grand Jury Prize: Best Documentary Feature
Awarded to the work that captures reality with the most powerful, intimate, or revealing perspective.

???? Grand Jury Prize: Best Short Film
Celebrating visual precision and the ability to tell great stories in a short format.

???? Special Prize for Best Short Film from Cusco
The most important award in our region, intended to promote local talent. This prize is awarded thanks to the support and cultural commitment of the Andean University of Cusco.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION:

1. Registration:

The call for entries is open to works by national and international filmmakers over 18 years of age.

Registration is through festhome for the feature film and short film categories. Specifically, for the Cusco short film category, registration will be done through Google Forms: https://forms.gle/mQCBTr6gHtBi9eYd9.

Each participant may register up to a maximum of two works per category.

Productions completed on or after August 21, 2026, will be accepted.

The registration deadline is September 21, 2026.

2. Length:

Short Films:

Minimum: 3 minutes.

Maximum: 15 minutes.

Feature Films:

Minimum: 60 minutes.

Maximum: 150 minutes.

3. Language:

Works may be in any language, but must include Spanish subtitles if they are not in Spanish.

4. Submission Format and Technical Requirements:

Works must be submitted in digital format (.mp4 or .mov) with a minimum resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (Full HD) or via a viewing link on any platform.

H.264 codec.

Audio must be stereo, with a minimum bitrate of 320 kbps.

If the original language is not Spanish, a subtitle file in .srt format or a version with embedded subtitles must be provided.

5. Originality and Rights:

Participants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions for the use of images, music, and other third-party rights in their respective works.

Works must not be subject to any legal claims related to copyright.

6. Theme:

There are no thematic limitations for any of the categories. Creativity, narrative quality, technique, and aesthetic treatment of the works will be valued.

Productions must have a proposal that contributes cultural, social, or artistic value, paying attention to themes that highlight cultural diversity, identity, and contemporary issues.

SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Selection Committee:

A committee specializing in film and audiovisual media will evaluate all submitted works to determine the Official Selection. This committee will consider technical quality, narrative quality, and originality.

2. Festival Jury:

A jury composed of filmmakers, critics, and film experts will evaluate the selected works to choose the winners in each category.

In addition, the jury may award special mentions for Directing, Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound, Editing, etc.

3. Official Selection:

The list of selected short and feature films will be published on the festival's official website on November 1, 2026.

Awards:

Best Short Film Trophy

Best Short Film from Cusco Trophy

Best Documentary Feature Trophy

Best Fiction Feature Trophy

Screening of Works:

Participants grant the festival the rights to screen their short and feature films during the event, as well as in subsequent screenings organized by the festival, in prior coordination with the filmmakers.

Selected films will be notified in advance of screening dates and times.

Final Considerations:

Failure to comply with any of the requirements established in these rules will result in disqualification.

The festival organizers reserve the right to modify the dates and conditions if circumstances require it, notifying participants of any relevant changes.

Participants accept these terms and conditions upon registering their work for the festival.

Contact:
For more information and inquiries, please email: festivaldecinedelcusco@gmail.com