Festival De Cortometrajes De Piélagos (Piélagos En Corto) (16)

Festival start: 15 May 2026      Festival end: 23 May 2026

XVI Piélagos Short Film Festival "Piélagos en Corto"

The Piélagos City Council presents the 16th edition of its film festival, a showcase for local and international talent.

With competitive categories for Cantabria, Spain, International, and the UNESCO Costa Quebrada Geopark, the event celebrates the best in short films (fiction, up to 30 minutes).

Selected films will compete for awards including Best Cantabrian, National, and International Short Film, along with technical recognitions and the prestigious Geopark Award, honoring works connected to this natural heritage.

Submissions open until December 20, 2025 via Festhome.

The 2026 closing gala will feature screenings, professional meetings, and accommodation for nominees.

An essential event for emerging cinema, where landscape and storytelling come together!

XVI Piélagos Short Film Festival "Piélagos en Corto"

Lights, camera, Cantabria! The 16th edition of our festival celebrates bold storytelling against the breathtaking backdrop of Spain's northern coast. This year, winners will take home our iconic camera-shaped trophy - a symbol of cinematic excellence crafted to honor your artistic achievement.

Beyond the awards, we invite you to:

• Savor our legendary Cantabrian hospitality
• Wander through emerald landscapes that have inspired filmmakers
• Toast your success at our post-gala cocktail with local flavors

YOUR PRIZES INCLUDE:

???? The prestigious camera trophy
???? A night in a 4-star hotel (with gala night accommodation)
???? Exclusive access to our star-studded closing cocktail

COMPETE FOR THESE AWARDS:

• CANALLAVE Award
• COSTA QUEBRADA Honor (UNESCO Geopark)
• DUNAS DE LIENCRES Prize for Best National, International & Cantabrian Short Film
• VALDEARENAS Honor Award (Always full of surprises)
• CANTABRIA INFINITA (Social Values Recognition)

Submit your film by December 20, 2025 for a chance to:

???? See your work screen where mountains meet the sea
???? Connect with international creators
???? Let Cantabria's magic fuel your next project

XVI EDITION – PIÉLAGOS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL COMPETITIVE SHORT FILM SECTION

The Department of Culture of the Piélagos City Council presents the 16th edition of the Piélagos Short Film Festival, "Piélagos en Corto."

Eligible works: Maximum duration of 30 minutes, produced after January 1, 2024.

CATEGORIES

Only fiction films will be accepted, except for the GEOPARK section, which also admits documentaries.

CANTABRIA: Short films produced by a legally registered production company based in Cantabria and/or directed by a Cantabrian filmmaker (by birth or adoption, with at least two years of residency in the region). In case of co-productions, the Cantabrian participation must be at least 60%.

UNESCO COSTA QUEBRADA GEOPARK: (See Annex I at the end of these rules).

NATIONAL – SPAIN: Spanish productions. For co-productions, the Spanish participation must be at least 60%.

INTERNATIONAL: Non-Spanish productions.

GENERAL ENTRY CONDITIONS
Participants must hold the rights to the submitted works.

Each participant may submit multiple works, provided they comply with the rules.

If the film’s dialogue is not in Spanish, embedded Spanish subtitles are required at the time of submission.

Works previously selected in past editions are not eligible, but previously unselected works may be resubmitted if they meet this year’s requirements.

SUBMISSION PLATFORMS
Entries must be submitted online via:

FESTHOME.COM


NOMINATIONS – DUNAS DE LIENCRES
Best International Short Film

Best National Short Film (Spain)

Best Cantabrian Short Film

NOMINATIONS – UNESCO COSTA QUEBRADA GEOPARK
Best UNESCO Geopark Short Film

NOMINATIONS – COSTA QUEBRADA
(For Spanish productions only, regardless of the nominee’s nationality)

Best Director

Best Original Screenplay

Best Cinematography

Best Editing

Best Art Direction

Best Sound Design

Best Production Management

SUBMISSION deadline
Opens: September 1, 2025

Closes: December 20, 2025

"Works in progress" are allowed but must be submitted by December 20, 2025, with the final copy delivered by January 15, 2026.

Once submitted, entries may be withdrawn, but fees will not be refunded.

PRE-SELECTION

A committee appointed by the festival will pre-select works for the Official Competition Jury, which may include professionals from Cantabria or other parts of Spain.

The Official Selection (nominated works) will be announced on the festival’s social media by mid-March 2026, with individual notifications sent to nominees.

Participants authorize the festival to use stills, photos, and clips (max. 15 seconds) for promotional purposes.

CLOSING GALA INVITATIONS

National Nominees

One double room per nominee (for the nominee + one guest) to attend the gala.

If the nominee is unable to attend, they may be represented at the closing gala by another nominee from the same work.

International Winner

Two-night stay (double room): Night before and night of the gala.

General Conditions for National and International Invitees

Included:

-Double room with breakfast
-Transfers between the hotel and gala venue
-Access to the post-gala cocktail

Not included:

Additional meals or unspecified services

TRAVEL

Travel to Cantabria is not covered, but transfers to/from the hotel will be provided on the gala day and adjacent dates.

Other transportation is the responsibility of attendees unless arranged by the festival.

OFFICIAL JURY
Composed of 5–8 members from Cantabrian/national cultural sectors, including the festival director (non-voting).

The jury will decide winners in all categories.

The "Valdearenas" and "Cantabria Infinita – Social Values" awards are discretionary and may not be awarded.

UNESCO GEOPARK JURY

Includes festival representatives and a delegate from the Costa Quebrada Geopark Governance Committee.

ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

Participation implies full acceptance of these terms, including the festival’s right to resolve unforeseen issues.

Piélagos, 2025

ANNEX I

UNESCO COSTA QUEBRADA GEOPARK AWARD RULES
Eligible: Fiction or documentary shorts (max. 30 min).

Must feature at least one of the following as a central theme:

a) The landscape of the UNESCO Costa Quebrada Geopark
b) Cultural/ethnographic traditions of the area
c) Local economic activities within the Geopark

Scripts must include scenes set in the Geopark or related locations.

The jury includes festival representatives and a Geopark delegate.

The winner of the UNESCO Costa Quebrada Geopark category at the Piélagos International Film Festival will receive, in addition to the magnificent award designed by Cantabrian artist Godoy, a tourist package valued at approximately €1,000 to enjoy in our Autonomous Community.


The award may be declared void if submissions lack sufficient quality.

Geopark info:

https://turismodecantabria.com/blog/costa-quebrada-ahora-en-la-red-mundial-de-geoparques-de-la-unesco/