El Film Del Mundo - Festival Internacional de Cine Emergente (1)

Festival start: 25 September 2026      Festival end: 27 September 2026

In a world saturated with noise, algorithms, and repetitive formulas, we still believe in something simple and powerful: creating art is worth it.

From Morelos, a region with a long tradition of artistic, cultural, and cinematic expression, a new chapter for emerging cinema begins.

El Film del Mundo (EFM) is the natural evolution of the Festival Universitario de Cine Morelense (FUCM), a project that laid the foundation for promoting new cinematic voices from the state to a broader, global conversation.

Today, that vision grows.

What began as a university space for exhibition and connection has evolved into an international festival dedicated to emerging cinema, new voices, and perspectives that do not ask for permission to exist.

The development of this new chapter has been strengthened through the support of the Programa de Estímulo a la Creación y Desarrollo Artístico (PECDA), making it possible to establish a cultural platform focused on the exhibition, education, and promotion of contemporary audiovisual talent.

We are not looking for technical perfection or large budgets. We are looking for vision. Risk. Voice. Stories that resonate with authenticity.

We believe cinema is an act of creative resistance.

That is why El Film del Mundo invites emerging filmmakers from Mexico and around the world to take part in its first edition.

Because when everything seems to be falling apart, making films is also a way to survive.

CALL FOR ENTRIES OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this call for entries is to bring together an international selection of emerging audiovisual works that reflect a diversity of voices, cinematic languages, and perspectives.

EFM seeks to support new generations of filmmakers and audiovisual creators by providing a platform for exhibition, recognition, and meaningful exchange among local, national, and international talent.

We are looking for works with identity, artistic sensitivity, and an authentic cinematic vision.

We are not looking for perfect cinema. We are looking for living cinema.

PARTICIPATING CATEGORIES

Official Competition:
• Fiction Short Film
• Documentary Short Film
• Animated Short Film

Special Screenings:
• Debut Fiction Feature
• Debut Documentary Feature
• Debut Animated Feature
• Music Video Showcase

Special Selection:
• Morelos Selection (works directed or produced in Morelos)
• LGBTQ+ Narratives

• Best Fiction Short Film
• Best Documentary Short Film
• Best Animated Short Film
• LGBTQ+ Narratives Special Award
• Morelos Medal of Merit

The festival may present additional awards or special mentions based on sponsorships, partnerships, and curatorial decisions.

The call for entries is open to emerging filmmakers, directors, students, animators, documentary filmmakers, and audiovisual creators from Mexico and around the world.

Applicants of any nationality may participate, provided they are between 16 and 30 years old at the time of submission.

Submissions may be made individually or as a team. For collaborative projects, one official representative (director or producer) must be designated.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Submitted works must meet the following requirements:

• Have been produced in 2023 or later.
• Be original works for which the participants hold the exhibition, distribution, and usage rights.
• Previously screened works are eligible, including those exhibited at other festivals, online platforms, or public venues, including YouTube and Vimeo.
• Works of any theme or genre are accepted, provided they comply with the festival's curatorial guidelines.
• Web series and episodic content are not eligible.
• Works created entirely or substantially using generative artificial intelligence will not be accepted. No AI.

MAXIMUM RUNNING TIME

• Fiction Short Film: up to 30 minutes, including credits.
• Animated Short Film: up to 30 minutes, including credits.
• Documentary Short Film: up to 40 minutes, including credits.
• Music Video: up to 10 minutes, including credits.
• LGBTQ+ Narratives: up to 30 min, including credits.
• Morelos Selection: up to 30 minutes, including credits.
• Special Screenings & Debut Films: No runtime limit.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

Each submission must include:

• Title of the work.
• Synopsis, maximum 300 words.
• Full name of the director or official representative.
• Photograph of the director or official representative.
• Biography of the director or official representative, maximum 300 words.
• Official poster.
• Three production stills.

language AND subtitleS

Works may be submitted in any language.

• Spanish-language works: subtitles are optional.
• Works in any language other than Spanish: Spanish subtitles are mandatory.

PROHIBITED CONTENT

The festival supports creative freedom and diversity of expression. However, the selection committee reserves the right to reject works that:

• Promote hate speech, discrimination, or systematic violence.
• Glorify extreme violence without artistic or narrative justification.
• Promote child exploitation or explicit sexual violence.
• Infringe copyright or intellectual property rights.
• Contain partisan political propaganda.
• Encourage criminal activity or violate human rights.

The decision of the selection committee is final.

SUBMISSION

All entries must be submitted exclusively through Festhome.

DATES

• Call for Entries Opens: July 1, 2026.
• Submission deadline: August 30, 2026.
• Official Selection Announcement: September 15, 2026.
• In-person Festival: September 25, 26, and 27, 2026.

JURY

The jury will consist of professionals from the fields of cinema, arts, and culture, including filmmakers, cultural managers, audiovisual industry representatives, professionals connected to the film community of Morelos, and emerging young talent.

Its composition will ensure a diversity of perspectives, artistic sensitivity, and a fair, balanced, and contextual evaluation of the selected works.

The jury members will be announced prior to the festival.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The jury will evaluate each work based on:

• Narrative originality.
• Authorial voice.
• Artistic vision.
• Creative risk.
• Emotional impact.
• Quality of audiovisual execution.

EFM prioritizes works with a strong identity, artistic sensitivity, and an authentic cinematic vision.

Production budget will not be considered a primary measure of artistic value.

We believe that a great film is defined not by its resources, but by its ability to transform a vision into an experience.

MINIMUM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum resolution: 1920 × 1080.
• File format: MP4 or MOV.
• Codec: H.264.
• Stereo audio or higher.
• Any aspect ratio is accepted. Horizontal format is recommended.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Submitting a work to the festival constitutes full acceptance of these rules and regulations.

The organizing committee reserves the right to resolve any matter not covered by these guidelines.

All decisions made by the selection committee and the jury are final and not subject to appeal.