El Meteorito: Festival de Cine de Molina de Segura (5)

Festival start: 16 October 2026      Festival end: 17 October 2026

In the early hours of December 24, 1858, a meteorite fell on Molina de Segura—the largest ever recorded in Spain to this day. That unexpected and fortunate collision has, over time, become one of the defining features of this historic, industrial, and enterprising municipality in the Region of Murcia.
From that impact a legend was also born, one that endures to this day. It is said that the crater opened by the meteorite emits a joyful, fertile, and inextinguishable radiation that would explain the disproportionate proliferation of artists—of every kind and background—who today maintain some connection, however slight, with the town.

Taking that mythological motif as its pretext, more than a century and a half later "El Meteorito," the Molina de Segura Short Film Festival, was born: an initiative of the Department of Culture of the Molina de Segura Town Council, conceived to endure over time.

Its ultimate purpose is to select six short films that share the same nature as the Meteorite: brief stories of indelible impact on the viewer and of a social character. Even before that goal, the festival aspires to become a recurring point of reference for national short filmmaking, as well as to awaken the appreciation of a non-specialized audience for this cinematic form.

The theme, genre, and format of the works are open. Special consideration is given to those stories that address matters of an eminently social nature.

Cash Prizes: 1,200€
Screening Fee Shorts: 100€

Jury Prize for Best Short Film: €800 and a statuette.

Audience Prize: €200 and a statuette.

Youth Jury Prize for Best Short Film: €200 and a statuette.

These rules govern the fifth edition of the El Meteorito Short Film Festival. Registration in the festival implies full and unreserved acceptance of their contents.

I. Organization

The festival is organized by the Department of Culture of the Molina de Segura Town Council, in the Region of Murcia. The fifth edition will be held on October 15, 16, and 17, 2026, with the venues being the auditorium of the Museo del Enclave de la Muralla (MUDEM) and the Neocine screening room at the Vega Plaza Shopping Center. The festival is dedicated to promoting cinematic culture in the municipality.

II. Prizes

This fifth edition comprises three official prizes: the Jury Prize for Best Short Film, endowed with eight hundred euros (€800) and a statuette; the Audience Prize, endowed with two hundred euros (€200) and a statuette; and the Youth Prize for Best Short Film, endowed with two hundred euros (€200) and a statuette. In addition, the six works selected for the official section will receive one hundred euros (€100) per short film as a screening fee.

III. Participation

Who may participate

Participation is open to all film producers and directors nationwide. Only one short film may be registered per director.

Eligible works

Films of Spanish nationality produced in 2025 and 2026, with a running time not exceeding thirty minutes, may be registered. The theme, genre, and format are open, with special consideration given to works that address social themes.

Deadline and registration channels

Registration may be completed from May 23 to July 8, 2026, inclusive, through the FestHome platform.

Required documentation

Registration must be accompanied by three photographs from the short film. When submitting the work, the information that will make up the registration form will be requested. Once online registration is complete, additional materials will, if necessary, be sent by email at the festival organization's request.

Selection committee

A professional selection committee appointed by the Department of Culture of the Molina de Segura Town Council will choose, from among all the short films received, the six that will make up the official section. The committee's decision is final.

Submission of screening copies

The selected works must submit their screening file before September 17, 2026, through any file-sharing platform. At a minimum, the following formats will be accepted: MP4 / QuickTime Full HD 1920 × 1080 file with stereo sound.

Presence at the festival

In order to receive the various prizes, the presence of the director—either in person or remotely—at the screening or closing of the festival is essential. In the event of duly justified impossibility, the organization may accept the presence of another team member who is prominently featured in the credits.

Other considerations

The prize decisions are final. The prizes may not be declared void or awarded ex aequo. The prize amounts will be paid with the tax withholding prescribed by current legislation, with all taxes included in the endowment. The addition of any further venue or of prizes not contemplated in these rules, as well as any other change related to them, will be communicated in due course through the festival's official channels.

IV. General Rules

Exhibition and dissemination rights

The producers of the selected films authorize the exhibition of their works in as many sessions as the organization deems appropriate during the festival. Likewise, participation implies authorization to use a fragment of the work and complementary graphic material for informational dissemination purposes in any communication medium, as well as on the festival website, its official social media profiles, and informational screens.

Physical media

In the event that films are sent on physical media, the festival organization is not responsible for any incidents that the media may suffer.

Acceptance of the rules

All participants, by virtue of being so, fully accept these rules, as well as the festival organization's resolution of any unforeseen circumstance not covered by them.