Festival start: 23 March 2027
Festival end: 28 March 2027
3rd CINEFANTASY RIO – Rio de Janeiro International Fantastic Film Festival
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | March 23–28, 2027
CINEFANTASY RIO is now accepting submissions for its 3rd edition, bringing together horror, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, magical realism, and their many variations for six days of programming in Rio de Janeiro.
The festival expands the legacy of Cinefantasy – São Paulo International Fantastic Film Festival, one of Latin America’s leading genre film festivals. In 2026, Cinefantasy received 1,569 submissions from 89 countries and screened 70 films from 24 countries across 114 screenings — and throughout its history, the festival has showcased more than 1,600 films.
The 3rd CINEFANTASY RIO will feature competitive programs, special screenings, and activities connecting filmmakers, audiences, and audiovisual industry professionals.
We are looking for films that challenge boundaries and explore other worlds. Films that provoke, frighten, surprise — and reinvent the fantastic.
Brazilian and international short and feature films are invited to participate.
The journey continues in Rio de Janeiro.
The Cinefantasy Trophy is a tribute to legendary Brazilian filmmaker José Mojica Marins (Coffin Joe), an iconic figure in fantastic cinema.
Awards are presented to the winners of each competitive section and selected by an international jury.
FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Best Film
Best Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Best Animation Short Film
Brazilian Student Short Film
Best Fantasy Short Film
Best Horror Short Film
Best Rio de Janeiro Short Film
Best Science Fiction Short Film
Best Student Short Film
3rd CINEFANTASY RIO – RIO DE JANEIRO INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL
March 23–28, 2027 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Submissions: September 15–November 15, 2026
CINEFANTASY RIO is dedicated to fantastic cinema in all its forms, including horror, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, magical realism, and related genres.
I. ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSIONS
Directors, producers, and distributors are eligible to submit films.
Films completed in 2025 or 2026 are eligible and must belong to the fantastic genre or related genres.
Brazilian and international productions are eligible. Short films must have a maximum runtime of 20 minutes, and feature films must have a minimum runtime of 60 minutes.
Submissions must be made via online screener links. Download links, such as WeTransfer, will not be accepted. Private links must include a valid password.
Films in languages other than Portuguese must include subtitles in Portuguese, English, or Spanish.
Multiple submissions are allowed.
Films previously screened at CINEFANTASY RIO are not eligible.
The submitter must hold all necessary rights and permissions for the exhibition of the film.
Submission implies full acceptance of these regulations.
II. COMPETITIVE SECTIONS
FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Brazilian and international fiction and documentary feature films with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes, within the fantastic genre and related genres.
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Short films with a maximum runtime of 20 minutes.
Categories:
Animation Short Films
Brazilian Fantastic Short Films
Brazilian Student Short Films
Fantasy Short Films
Science Fiction Short Films
Horror Short Films
Rio de Janeiro Short Films
The Brazilian Student Short Films and category is exclusively open to Brazilian short films made by students.
The Rio de Janeiro Short Films category is exclusively open to short films produced in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
III. SELECTION
The Festival Director appoints the curatorial team responsible for the selection process.
Films will be evaluated based on artistic quality, originality, technical achievement, and their connection to fantastic cinema.
Selected filmmakers will be notified by email and may be required to provide additional materials, including screening files, stills, posters, press materials, and other information.
Screening dates and times are determined by the festival organization.
Selected films may also be included in special screenings and partner programs.
IV. SCREENING & MATERIALS
Selected films must provide all necessary screening materials within the deadlines established by the festival.
Foreign-language films may be required to provide dialogue lists with timecodes in Portuguese, English, or Spanish.
By submitting a film, the submitter authorizes its exhibition during CINEFANTASY RIO if selected.
The festival may use stills, trailers, posters, and excerpts from selected films for publicity, press, social media, and festival promotion.
V. AWARDS
The Cinefantasy Trophy is a tribute to legendary Brazilian filmmaker José Mojica Marins (Coffin Joe), an iconic figure in fantastic cinema.
Awards are presented by qualified juries recognizing excellence in fantastic cinema.
FEATURE FILM AWARDS
Best Film
Best Screenplay
Best Director
Best Actress
Best Actor
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Best Animation Short Film
Best Brazilian Fantastic Short Film
Best Brazilian Student Short Film
Best Fantasy Short Film
Best Science Fiction Short Film
Best Horror Short Film
Best Rio de Janeiro Short Film
Jury decisions are final.
VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS
The festival does not cover travel, accommodation, or meal expenses.
The festival is not responsible for legal issues related to copyright, music, images, or any other rights associated with submitted works.
The festival reserves the right to make necessary adjustments to dates, regulations, programming, or conditions.
Any matters not covered by these regulations will be resolved by the festival organization.
Rio de Janeiro, September 2026
CINEFANTASY RIO – Rio de Janeiro International Fantastic Film Festival
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS | LONGAS-METRAGENS INTERNACIONAIS
Feature Films >60' 180'< (2025+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early10$9.2$
7.7$
30 Sep 26
Standard20$18.4$
15.4$
31 Oct 26
Late30$27.6$
23.1$
15 Nov 26
Extended30$27.6$
23.1$
22 Nov 26
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Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
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2.3$
Submit
International feature films produced between January 1, 2025 and November 15, 2026;
Fiction, Documentary or Animation;
Running time of 60 minutes or more;
Films must not have been previously screened at film festivals in the city of Rio de Janeiro.
BRAZILIAN FEATURE FILMS | LONGAS-METRAGENS BRASILEIROS
Feature Films >60' 180'< (2025+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early0$0$
0$
30 Sep 26
Standard0$0$
0$
31 Oct 26
Late2.5$2.3$
1.93$
15 Nov 26
Extended5$4.6$
3.85$
22 Nov 26
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Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
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0$
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Longas-metragens brasileiros produzidos a partir de 1 janeiro de 2025 a 15 de novembro de 2026;
Ficção, Documentário ou Animação;
Com duração a partir de 60 minutos.
Os filmes não poderão ter sido exibidos anteriormente em festivais de cinema na cidade do Rio de Janeiro.
ANIMATION SHORT FILMS | CURTAS-METRAGENS DE ANIMAÇÃO
Short Films >1' 20'< (2025+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early5$4.6$
3.85$
30 Sep 26
Standard15$13.8$
11.55$
31 Oct 26
Late20$18.4$
15.4$
15 Nov 26
Extended20$18.4$
15.4$
22 Nov 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
Save up
1.15$
Submit
Fantastic animation short films;
Maximum running time of 20 minutes;
Films must have been produced between January 1, 2025 and November 15, 2026.
BRAZILIAN ANIMATION SHORT FILMS | ANIMAÇÃO BRASIL
Short Films >1' 20'< (2026+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early0$0$
0$
30 Sep 26
Standard0$0$
0$
31 Oct 26
Late2$1.84$
1.54$
15 Nov 26
Extended2$1.84$
1.54$
22 Nov 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
Save up
0$
Submit
Curtas-metragens brasileiros de animação;
Produzidos entre 1º de janeiro de 2025 e 15 de novembro de 2026;
Com duração de até 20 minutos;
Terror, fantasia, ficção científica, suspense, realismo mágico e demais vertentes do cinema fantástico.
BRAZILIAN STUDENT SHORT FILMS | ESTUDANTES BRASILEIROS
Short Films >1' 20'< (2025+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early0$0$
0$
30 Sep 26
Standard0$0$
0$
31 Oct 26
Late1$0.92$
0.77$
15 Nov 26
Extended2$1.84$
1.54$
22 Nov 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
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0$
Submit
Curtas-metragens realizados por estudantes brasileiros;
Produzidos entre 1º de janeiro de 2025 e 15 de novembro de 2026;
Com duração de até 20 minutos;
Terror, fantasia, ficção científica, suspense, realismo mágico e demais vertentes do cinema fantástico.
BRAZILIAN FANTASTIC SHORT FILMS | BRASIL FANTÁSTICO
Short and Feature Films (2026+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early0$0$
0$
30 Sep 26
Standard0$0$
0$
31 Oct 26
Late2$1.84$
1.54$
15 Nov 26
Extended2$1.84$
1.54$
22 Nov 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
Save up
0$
Submit
Curtas-metragens brasileiros;
Produzidos entre 1º de janeiro de 2025 e 15 de novembro de 2026;
Com duração de até 20 minutos;
Terror, fantasia, ficção científica, suspense, realismo mágico e demais vertentes do cinema fantástico;
Não são aceitos filmes realizados por estudantes nesta categoria.
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS | CURTAS-METRAGENS INTERNACIONAIS
Short Films >1' 20'< (2026+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early5$4.6$
3.85$
30 Sep 26
Standard15$13.8$
11.55$
31 Oct 26
Late20$18.4$
15.4$
15 Nov 26
Extended20$18.4$
15.4$
22 Nov 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
Save up
1.15$
Submit
Competitive section for international short films within the fantastic genre, produced between January 1, 2025 and November 22, 2026.
Maximum running time: 20 minutes.
This section includes Animation, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Horror.
Films will be considered for the corresponding competitive section and award.
RIO DE JANEIRO SHORT FILMS | RIO DE JANEIRO FANTÁSTICO
Short Films >1' 20'< (2026+)
Fee-8%
PRO 23%
Early0$0$
0$
30 Sep 26
Standard0$0$
0$
31 Oct 26
Late2$1.84$
1.54$
15 Nov 26
Extended2$1.84$
1.54$
22 Nov 26
Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees
Submissions deadline
22 Nov 26
Save up
0$
Submit
Curtas-metragens produzidos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro;
Produzidos entre 1º de janeiro de 2025 e 15 de novembro de 2026;
Com duração de até 20 minutos;
Terror, fantasia, ficção científica, suspense, realismo mágico e demais vertentes do cinema fantástico;
Ficção, documentário ou animação.
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 