Festival Internacional De Cine De Almagro (10)

Festival start: 30 July 2027      Festival end: 08 August 2027

In 2018, Almagro International Film Festival -AIFF- born with the aim of establishing a useful platform for the promotion of the audiovisual industry: a space and time for dissemination and promotion of audiovisual content, transforming the city of Almagro into a meeting point for filmmakers, favoring the exchange of initiatives and promoting a market open to the development of new projects.

AIFF will provide a showcase for the most interesting short format projects done within the last recent months, constituting an standard of quality and high level of commitment to the society & culture of Audiovisual Arts. In addition, the Festival has opened an important window to formats created for online distribution, bringing support to one of the most active and emerging sectors of the audiovisual industry: Internet.

Cash Prizes: 1,500€

OFFICIAL COMPETITION

Best International Short (Cash Prize of €500.00)

Best Spanish Short (Cash Prize of €1000.00)

10th ALMAGRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (X AIFF 2027)
OFFICIAL PARTICIPATION RULES

National and International Short Film Competitions

01. PURPOSE AND DATES
The 10th Almagro International Film Festival (AIFF) will take place in Almagro, Ciudad Real, Spain, between late July and early August 2027. The final dates will be announced through the Festival’s official channels and, in all cases, communicated to selected films before they are asked to accept participation.
These rules govern the Official National and International Short Film Competitions, which are open to participants worldwide and aim to promote filmmaking and bring professionals and audiences together.

02. FILMS AND COMPETITIONS
Fiction, animation and documentary short films of any subject, genre or technique are eligible. Films holding Spanish nationality, including co-productions holding that nationality, will participate in the National Competition. All other films will participate in the International Competition.
Each film may compete in only one competition. AIFF may request proof of nationality and correct the film’s classification, informing its representative accordingly.
These rules apply exclusively to the Official Competition. Any other independent calls organised by the Festival will be governed by their own rules. Submission does not guarantee selection for any section.

03. RUNNING TIME
The maximum running time is 20 minutes and 00 seconds, including all credits, for both the selection screener and the final version.

04. PRODUCTION DATE AND VERSIONS
Films must have completed production on or after 1 January 2026. Re-exports, new subtitles and other exclusively technical changes will not update the production date.
Work-in-progress versions that are sufficiently complete for assessment may be submitted, provided that they are identified as such upon submission. Acceptance of selection entails a commitment to complete and deliver the final version by the deadline established for exhibition copies.
The final version must comply with these rules. Substantial changes from the assessed copy will require AIFF’s acceptance. The Festival may request any information required to verify compliance with the participation requirements.

05. SUBMISSION PERIODS AND FEES
Submissions will be open from 16 September 2026 until 15 March 2027, with the following periods and fees per film:
Early: 16 September–31 October 2026: €6.
Regular: 1 November 2026– 3 February 2027: €8.
Late: 4 - 23 February 2027: €10.
Final: 24 February –15 March 2027: €12.
Submission entitles the film to assessment but does not guarantee selection. Any separate terms and charges imposed by Festhome will be governed by the conditions of the relevant platform.
Non-selection will not, in itself, entitle the submitter to a refund. Any refunds that may apply will be governed by applicable law and the terms of the platform used.
Any extension of the submission deadline will be announced through AIFF’s official channels.

06. languageS AND subtitleS
For submission and selection, films whose original version is not entirely in Spanish must include english subtitles, including english-language films. Films entirely in Spanish may be submitted without subtitles.
For exhibition, all selected films must provide Spanish subtitles, including films whose original version is in Spanish, for accessibility purposes. Where suitable Spanish subtitles cannot be provided, AIFF must be informed and may accept english subtitles and agree on an appropriate translation or exhibition solution.
subtitles must cover all relevant dialogue and on-screen text. Accessible subtitles and audio-described versions must be provided when available.
Technical requirements are set out in the Technical Annex. Any translation or exceptional solution will be coordinated with the film’s representative.

07. SELECTION AND ACCEPTANCE
Films will be assessed by a Selection and Programming Committee appointed by AIFF.
Results will be communicated privately through the platform used or the email address provided, no later than 14 May 2027. The selection notification will specify the assigned section and the Festival’s final dates.
Selected films will have seven calendar days from notification to expressly accept their participation. Failure to respond will allow AIFF to offer the place to another film.
Selection will remain conditional on compliance with these rules and delivery of suitable materials. The selection will be publicly announced no later than 31 May 2027. Participants may not publicly announce their selection before AIFF’s announcement or authorisation.
Selection decisions are final, and individual assessment reports will not be issued.

08. PREVIOUS EDITIONS
Films submitted to previous editions of AIFF may not be submitted again, even under a different title or in a different version.
Exceptionally, the Festival may invite a previously non-selected film to participate, provided that it continues to meet the requirements of this call.
Out-of-competition participation will require the corresponding invitation and authorisation from AIFF.

09. PROGRAMMING AND WITHDRAWAL
AIFF will determine the screenings, dates, times, programmes, screening order and venues.
Submitted films may be selected for the competitive or non-competitive sections determined by AIFF. The Festival may correct their classification in accordance with these rules and will communicate the assigned section when notifying selection.
A film may be withdrawn in writing until its selection has been accepted. After acceptance, withdrawal will only be permitted for an exceptional and justified reason accepted by the Festival Management or where legally required.

10. PREMIERES
A Castilla-La Mancha premiere will be valued for the National Competition and a Spanish premiere for the International Competition, as will international and world premieres.
These circumstances are potential programming considerations and are not exclusionary requirements. Previous screenings at festivals, cinemas or online will not, in themselves, prevent participation.
AIFF may require the film’s screening history to be provided and kept up to date.

11. PROMOTION
Acceptance of selection grants AIFF free, non-exclusive, worldwide authorisation to use the promotional materials provided to communicate and document the 2027 edition through its channels, publications and the media.
AIFF may use excerpts of the film of up to 60 seconds, as well as the complete official trailers provided.
Published content may remain available as a historical record of the edition. Credits and the integrity of the film will be respected, and ownership of rights will not be transferred.

12. SUBMISSION
Films must be submitted exclusively through AIFF’s official profiles on Festhome.
One submission per film through one platform is sufficient. Duplicate submissions do not entitle a film to an additional assessment.
The submitter declares that they have sufficient legal capacity and authority to submit the film, provide accurate information and accept these rules and the Technical Annex.
Submission authorises private viewing by the persons required to assess the film and manage its participation.
The screener and its password must remain accessible throughout the assessment period. AIFF will notify the submitter of correctable issues and will normally allow five calendar days from notification to resolve them. Failure to do so may result in exclusion.

13. EXHIBITION COPIES
Selected films must provide a professional digital master and a properly mastered and verified DCP in accordance with the Technical Annex.
Where it is not possible to provide a professional DCP in suitable condition, AIFF must be informed and may authorise a technical alternative. A non-professional DCP should not be created merely to meet this requirement.
AIFF will determine the technically appropriate copy for each screening and may accept equivalent alternatives. The mere creation of a DCP does not guarantee its technical acceptance.
A screener will be sufficient for initial submission.

14. DELIVERY OF MATERIALS
Selected films must provide the following materials through the systems indicated by AIFF:
By 24 May 2027: Final film information: title, running time, year, nationality, synopsis, and technical and artistic credits. Poster and three high-resolution stills. Photograph, short biography and filmography of the director. Trailer or teaser, where available.
Name, email address and direct telephone number of both the director and producer, together with the distributor’s details where applicable. Identification of a main contact person. Information regarding the possible attendance of representatives. Updated screening history. Age classification or recommendation, where available.
By 31 May 2027: Professional digital master and DCP corresponding to the same final version. subtitles and all other elements required for screening in accordance with clause 6 and the Technical Annex. Available accessibility materials. Specific deadlines may be agreed for films admitted from the reserve list and for justified technical exceptions or particular circumstances.
Receipt of materials does not constitute technical acceptance. AIFF may request corrections and will normally allow ten calendar days from notification for them to be completed.
Failure to provide a suitable copy, mandatory subtitles or other essential materials may result in exclusion. The isolated absence of a non-essential promotional item will not, by itself, be sufficient grounds for exclusion.
Approved files may not be replaced without authorisation. AIFF will communicate the delivery procedure to selected films and monitor the delivery of materials.

15. JURY
The Official Jury, composed of professionals from the film, audiovisual and cultural sectors, will be responsible for awarding the Official Competition prizes. Its decisions will be final and not subject to appeal.

16. awards
The gross prize amounts will be €1,000 (ONE THOUSAND EUROS) for the Best National Short Film Award and €500 (FIVE HUNDRED EUROS) for the Best International Short Film Award.
The number, categories and amounts of the awards may subsequently be increased without reducing the awards announced in these rules.
The awards will be revealed exclusively during the Closing and awards Gala, without prior notification. To receive the cash prize, a member of the film team, production or distribution, or a representative authorised in writing, must attend the Gala, unless AIFF accepts an exception due to a serious and documented unforeseen circumstance or force majeure.
One prize will be awarded in each competition, with no joint winners and no possibility of withholding the award while eligible selected films remain.
Where applicable, AIFF will only assume invitation arrangements and expenses that have been confirmed in writing in advance by the Festival. Expenses not authorised in writing in advance will not be reimbursed by AIFF.
The prize will be paid by bank transfer to the beneficiary designated in writing by the person or entity entitled to receive it, within 90 calendar days of receipt of all required documentation.
Payment will be subject to the applicable tax treatment and all other legal requirements. A substantiated dispute regarding the identity of the beneficiary may suspend payment until the dispute has been resolved.

17. RIGHTS AND LIABILITY
The individual or legal entity submitting the film declares and warrants that they hold all powers, rights, licences, permissions and authorisations required to submit the film and permit the uses provided for in these rules.
This warranty covers the film itself and all elements incorporated into it, including music, images, performances, screenplay and any other protected content. AIFF may request supporting evidence.
Acceptance of selection grants AIFF free and non-exclusive authorisation to screen the film during the relevant Festival edition and within other cultural screenings, programmes or activities organised or co-organised by AIFF, including those taking place outside the Festival’s official dates. This authorisation will be exercised under the terms and within the limits established by applicable law.
Private viewings by the Selection Committee and Jury, technical checks and tests, and any adaptations required for the authorised uses are also permitted, including the translation and technical integration of subtitles, provided that the edit, meaning and integrity of the film are respected.
AIFF may retain a copy of selected films in its restricted-access institutional archive and make any technical reproductions necessary for preservation, security and format migration. Retention of a copy will not, by itself, authorise any other public use.
Participation will not give rise to the payment of screening fees, exhibition fees or other amounts for the authorised uses, without prejudice to any cash prizes and legally non-waivable rights.
Any use not covered by this clause will require prior authorisation from the relevant rights holder.
The submitter will be liable for substantiated claims, damages and reasonable costs arising from breaches attributable to them and will indemnify AIFF against third-party claims arising from the absence, insufficiency or inaccuracy of the rights, permissions or authorisations declared.
AIFF will notify the responsible person of any claim and allow them to submit the appropriate response. The foregoing is without prejudice to AIFF’s legally non-waivable liabilities.
A substantiated claim concerning the film’s rights or compliance with the participation requirements may result in suspension of its screening. Once a breach has been established and the representative has been given an opportunity to respond, AIFF may exclude the film, revoke its award and recover any amounts improperly received.
Selected and award-winning films must mention their participation and use the corresponding official laurels in their promotional materials once the announcement of the selection or award has been authorised.

18. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUTHORSHIP
The use of artificial intelligence will not, by itself, exclude a film, but identifiable human creative authorship must exist.
Upon submission, the use of generative artificial intelligence must be declared in writing, specifying its principal uses and tools, through the relevant form or an attached note.
The submitter warrants the legality of and rights to all content used. AIFF may request clarification.
The information declared concerning authorship and the use of artificial intelligence must be kept up to date until delivery of the final copy. Materially false information or omission may result in exclusion.

19. DATA PROTECTION
AIFF will process identification, professional and contact data and, where applicable, the tax and banking data required to manage submission, selection, participation and payment of awards.
Processing will be based on the participation relationship, compliance with legal obligations and legitimate interests relating to the management, communication and promotion of the Festival. Processing activities requiring consent will be authorised separately.
AIFF may inform persons with whom it has a prior relationship about new calls, activities, updates and similar services of its own, provided that the contact details were lawfully obtained and the recipient has not objected. A simple and free means of objecting will be provided. Consent will be requested for other promotional communications.
Data may be processed by Festival staff, members of the Selection Committee and Jury, and suppliers required to manage the Festival, as well as by public authorities where legally appropriate.
Professional information intended for publication may be disclosed in accordance with these rules. Festhome apply their own privacy policies.
Data will be retained while participation is being managed and subsequently for the periods permitted or required by applicable law. Materials connected with the Festival’s activities may remain in its historical archive in accordance with their purpose.
Persons providing third-party data must have informed those individuals that their information will be communicated to AIFF.
Data subjects may exercise the rights recognised under applicable law through the contact and privacy form available at https://www.internationalfilmfestival.es/contacto/ or by writing to admin@internationalfilmfestival.es. They may also lodge a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Agency.
Selection and award decisions will not be based exclusively on automated processing. Further information is available in the privacy policy and legal notice on AIFF’s official website.

20. FORCE MAJEURE
AIFF may alter the Festival’s dates, duration, venues, programme, format or conditions, or postpone, suspend or cancel all or part of its activities, where force majeure, unforeseen circumstances or justified reasons beyond the organisation’s reasonable control prevent or substantially hinder the Festival from taking place under the planned conditions.
Where such circumstances substantially affect the participation of selected films, AIFF will take any reasonably necessary measures and notify affected persons of the changes directly applicable to them.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, AIFF will not be liable for consequences arising directly from such circumstances where they are not attributable to the Festival, without prejudice to the rights legally held by participants.
This clause is without prejudice to the conditions established in these rules concerning submission fees, awards and any other obligations expressly assumed by the Festival.

21. ORGANISATION AND ACCEPTANCE
The Festival is organised by association ALMAGRO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AIFF).
Contact form: https://www.internationalfilmfestival.es/contacto/
Additional Legal identification, notice and the privacy policy are available on the official website: https://www.internationalfilmfestival.es/
Submission and participation in the Festival constitute full acceptance of these rules and, where applicable, the Technical Annex.
Any circumstance not expressly covered by these rules will be resolved by AIFF in accordance with the nature and purpose of the Festival, these rules and applicable law.
AIFF may introduce any changes required for duly justified legal, technical or organisational reasons. Changes substantially affecting participants will be communicated where appropriate and will not be applied retroactively on less favourable terms unless required by law or force majeure.
These rules and participation in the Festival will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with Spanish law. Any dispute will be submitted to the courts having jurisdiction under applicable law, with due regard for any mandatory rights, jurisdictions and provisions that cannot legally be waived or amended.
In the event of any discrepancy between the different language versions, the official Spanish version will prevail.

ANNEX: TECHNICAL EXHIBITION (ESSENTIAL INFORMATION)
Selected films must provide a professional digital master and a properly mastered and verified DCP corresponding to the same final version of the film.
The master should preferably be supplied as a MOV file using Apple ProRes or a compatible Avid DNxHR/DNxHD codec, preserving the original resolution, aspect ratio, frame rate and sound mix. A minimum Full HD resolution and PCM audio at 48 kHz are recommended. A 4K version is not required.
The DCP must be professional, complete and previously tested. Technically compatible SMPTE and Interop DCPs will be accepted, preferably unencrypted. Encrypted DCPs must be accompanied by the necessary keys with a validity period sufficient for technical checks and exhibition.
Where it is not possible to provide a professional DCP in suitable condition, AIFF must be informed and may authorise a technical alternative. A non-professional DCP should not be created merely to meet this requirement.
Copies must be free of watermarks, viewing codes and visible timecodes. subtitles must comply with clause 6 and must also be supplied as a separate file, preferably in UTF-8 encoded SRT format.
HDR versions, special sound formats and any other configuration requiring specific compatibility must be reported in advance.
AIFF may check the materials, request corrections and determine the technically most appropriate copy for each screening. Receipt of files does not constitute technical acceptance.
Complete specifications, delivery procedures and possible alternatives are contained in the AIFF 2027 Technical Annex, which forms an integral part of these rules and is available on the official website: https://www.internationalfilmfestival.es