Censurados Film Festival (12)

Festival start: 09 October 2026      Festival end: 12 October 2026

We are looking for films that have been censored, banned, or have faced obstacles to their development, production and/or exhibition due to political, social, corporate, religious or other reasons, anywhere in the world over the past two years.

Censurados Film Festival is an international film festival that showcases and promotes “the films they don’t want you to see.” Founded in Peru and with over twelve years of experience, the festival has established itself as a key platform for the defense of freedom of expression, human rights, and cultural diversity through cinema.

In a global context where censorship continues to affect artists, filmmakers, and audiences, the festival creates a space for encounter, reflection, and dialogue around the many forms of censorship shaping contemporary artistic practices.

The 12th edition of the festival will take place from October 9 to 12, 2026, in Caldes d’Estrac (Barcelona), where, over four days, cultural venues and public spaces will host screenings, debates, masterclasses, and educational activities, turning the town into a meeting point for filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.

The Official Selection consists of two international competitions that approach censorship from different perspectives:


CENSORSHIP COMPETITION

This section is dedicated to films that have been censored, banned, or have faced obstacles, pressure, threats, or any form of violence affecting their development or circulation.

Films of any genre—fiction, documentary, animation, or experimental—from anywhere in the world may participate, provided they have been subject to censorship or interference at any stage of the filmmaking process, from research and concept development, through writing, production, shooting, and post-production, to their exhibition, distribution, or public circulation.

Applicants must provide verifiable information demonstrating the situation of censorship, pressure, threat, or conflict that has affected the work.


STORIES OF CENSORSHIP COMPETITION

This section is dedicated to films that explore censorship as a theme from a narrative, artistic, or documentary perspective.

Films from anywhere in the world may participate if they portray, denounce, or reflect on situations of censorship in cinema or in any other artistic field, as well as on the tensions between creation, power, and freedom of expression.

The festival will grant the Censurados Scissors Award in each category:

Best Feature Film – Censorship Competition

Best Short Film – Censorship Competition

Best Feature Film – Stories of Censorship Competition

Best Short Film – Stories of Censorship Competition

The Censurados Scissors Award is a handcrafted artistic piece symbolizing resistance against censorship and the defense of creative freedom.

The call is open to individuals and legal entities, whether applying individually or collectively, of any nationality. Each participant may submit more than one film, but a separate submission form must be completed for each entry.

Only audiovisual works produced after January 1, 2025, will be accepted. Only the copyright holder is eligible to submit a film and assumes full responsibility for the accuracy of this claim.

Submission is free of charge. Selected films may not be withdrawn from the festival program once participation has been confirmed.

By submitting a film, participants authorize up to three screenings of the work within the framework of the festival, without financial compensation.

The festival may use excerpts of up to three minutes from selected films, or up to 10% of the total duration in the case of films shorter than 30 minutes, for promotional purposes across any media.