Festival Internacional de cine Chiloe (9)

Festival start: 30 November 2026      Festival end: 05 December 2026

We recognize that cinema is one of the most influential artistic disciplines in society; the language of film transcends the boundaries of the big screen, leaving an indelible mark on the memories and imaginations of every viewer.

For this reason, the 9th edition of the Chiloé International Film Festival (FICH 2026) stands as the only active film-focused cultural event in the Los Lagos Region (Region X). It showcases Chilean and international cinema across various programming strands, featuring retrospectives of established national filmmakers alongside activities designed to foster engagement with film content and language, thereby broadening participation among the island's residents.

This ninth edition will feature seven distinct programming strands to showcase the films. These include five competitive categories:

International Feature Film, National Feature Film, International Short Film, National Short Film, and Regional Short Film; a Retrospective Focus; and a Children's Strand.

Cash Prizes: 500$

The jury for the various official categories of the Chiloé International Film Festival will present the following awards:

I.- Feature Film Competition:

- Best International Feature Film Award: cash prize + statuette

- Best National Feature Film Award: cash prize + statuette

II.- Short Film Competition:

- Best International Short Film Award: cash prize + statuette

- Best National Short Film Award: cash prize + statuette

- Best Regional Short Film Award: cash prize + statuette

1. OUR OBJECTIVES

We aim to contribute to the cultural development of Chiloé through the organization, production, and dissemination of FICH, facilitating access for the local community to a diverse and outstanding selection of films, as well as educational spaces centered around cinema.

2. DATES

The festival will take place in the city of Castro, southern Chile, from November 30 to December 5, 2026.

3. OFFICIAL SELECTION

3.1. OFFICIAL SELECTION COMPETITION CATEGORIES

I. FEATURE FILM COMPETITION

National and international feature films: a selection of films in the genres of documentary, experimental, fiction, and/or animation, from Chile and Latin America, with a minimum duration of 60 minutes.

Five Chilean films will be selected in the national feature category.

Five Latin American films will be selected in the international feature category.

Films in competition must have been produced in 2025 or 2026.

II. SHORT FILM COMPETITION

Regional, national, and international short films: a selection of films in the genres of documentary, experimental, fiction, and/or animation, from Chile and Latin America, with a maximum duration of 30 minutes.
Five Chilean films will be selected in the national short film category.
Five Latin American films will be selected in the international short film category.
Films in competition must have been produced in 2025 or 2026.
Five films will be selected in the regional short film category, preferably produced in southern Chile (Los Ríos, Los Lagos, Aysén, or Magallanes), though films from regions outside the Metropolitan Region may also be considered.

3.2. SCREENING SECTION

I. CHILDREN’S SECTION
A selection of films specially aimed at children from the island of Chiloé. Through this non-competitive section, they will enjoy screenings of family-oriented films covering various themes.

4. GENERAL CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

a) Films completed after January 1, 2025, are eligible.

b) Submitted works will be evaluated through a selection process carried out by the festival programming team, who may assign films to a different category than the one originally submitted.

c) To participate, applicants must register through the FESTHOME platform, which are the only valid submission channels.

d) Submitting a work implies full acceptance of these rules. By submitting an application form, each participant declares they hold the necessary rights and authorize the public screening of the work at the festival, as well as the use of excerpts or images exclusively for promotional purposes before and after the festival, through physical or digital media.

In accordance with Chilean Law No. 17,336 on Intellectual Property, each applicant declares that if their project involves the total or partial use of works protected by national or international intellectual property laws, and whose copyright holders are third parties, they have obtained explicit authorization from the rights holder. Any issues arising from this will be the sole responsibility of the applicant, releasing the festival organization from any liability.

e) The festival organization reserves the right to make decisions on matters not covered in these rules.

f) Works that have previously participated in the pre-selection stage and/or competitive sections of past editions of FICH will not be accepted.

g) Producers and distributors of films selected for the official selection, as well as award winners, agree to include in their publicity and press materials the phrase: “Official Selection – FICH 9 - Chiloé International Film Festival,” along with the festival logo (laurel). This applies to both theatrical releases and all forms of distribution.

h) Producers and distributors of films in the official selection expressly authorize the FICH organization to screen their works up to three (3) times in non-profit screenings across different locations in the Chiloé archipelago and the Los Lagos region, as part of traveling showcases and related cultural activities during 2026. By submitting, applicants acknowledge and accept this clause.

i) Producers, distributors, and filmmakers of films in competition expressly authorize the FICH organization to use excerpts (audiovisual and audio) and still images for promotional purposes in print media, radio, television, digital platforms, and social media.

5. JURY

The jury will be composed of national and international figures from the audiovisual field, arts, and culture.

Individuals directly involved with films in competition are not eligible to serve on the jury.

The jury’s decision is final.

6. awards

The jury of the 9th Chiloé International Film Festival will grant the following awards:

I. Feature Film Competition:

Best International Feature Film: CLP $500,000 + trophy
Best National Feature Film: CLP $500,000 + trophy

II. Short Film Competition:

Best International Short Film: CLP $250,000 + trophy
Best National Short Film: CLP $250,000 + trophy
Best Regional Short Film: CLP $250,000 + trophy

7. SUBMISSION deadline AND MATERIAL DELIVERY

Submissions via FESTHOME will be open from July 6 to September 30, 2026, at 23:59 hrs.

The official selection will be announced in October on the website corpfilmica.cl. By submitting, selected works authorize the use of image excerpts for promotional purposes.

Screening copies must be submitted no later than November 15, 2026, via the corresponding platform or Google Drive to cinefich@gmail.com.

Accepted projection formats:

Apple ProRes HQ 422 (.MOV)
DCP

Additionally, all selected films must provide a .mov H264 file.

Only NTSC format copies will be accepted.
All selected films must include Spanish subtitles if their original language is different.

8. INFORMATION AND INQUIRIES

Any questions regarding the 2026 call may be sent to cinefich@gmail.com. Inquiries are accepted in Spanish and english.

For updates on all festival activities, visit corpfilmica.cl and follow us on social media:
@corpo.cult.filmica.chilota