Festival Internacional De Cortometraje UVAQ (19)

Festival start: 03 June 2026      Festival end: 11 June 2026

The Festival Internacional de Cortometraje UVAQ (FICUVAQ) invites filmmakers, audiovisual creators, students and independent directors from Mexico and around the world to participate in its 19th Edition.

The curatorial axis of this edition is Feel Good Movies, understood as a cinematic exploration of stories that connect with audiences through empathy, sensitivity and humanity. It is not limited to optimistic narratives or happy endings, but to works that find emotional resonance, closeness or meaning in the human experience.

Cash Prizes: 1,100$

Total prize pool: $25,000 MXN

• Best Fiction Short Film – $5,000 MXN
• Best Documentary Short Film – $5,000 MXN
• Best Animated Short Film – $5,000 MXN
• Best Poetry Film – $5,000 MXN
• Best University Short Film – Michoacán – $5,000 MXN

If the winner resides outside the host city, shipping costs for the trophy will be the responsibility of the winner.

Each short film must be submitted to one category only:

• Fiction Short Film
Maximum length: 15 minutes (including credits).

• Documentary Short Film
Maximum length: 15 minutes (including credits).

• Animated Short Film
Maximum length: 10 minutes (including credits).

• Poetry Film / Poesía Audiovisual
Maximum length: 5 minutes (including credits).

• University Short Film – Michoacán
Maximum length: 10 minutes (including credits).

ELIGIBILITY

• Short films completed from 2024 onwards.
• Open to all countries.
• Films submitted to previous editions of FICUVAQ are not eligible.
• Only completed films are accepted.
• No submission limit per participant (each film must be submitted separately).
• Music videos, advertising and promotional content are not accepted.
• Short films using generative AI tools in more than 10% of their total content (image, sound, voice, animation, script or other creative elements) will not be accepted. Selected films may be required to declare the use of AI during their production process.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum resolution: Full HD (1080p)
• Codec: H.264
• Recommended container: MP4
• Audio: Stereo
• Subtitles required:
- Non-Spanish language films: Spanish subtitles
- Spanish language films: English subtitles

SUBMISSION

Submission period: January 30 – April 30, 2026
Students may request a fee waiver by emailing: ficuvaq@uvaq.edu.mx
(Proof of enrollment required)

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• All films must be original or have secured all necessary rights.
• The submitter guarantees ownership of rights and assumes full legal responsibility.
• Plagiarized works will be disqualified.
• FICUVAQ may use up to 20% of selected films for promotional and cultural purposes.
• Selected films may be screened in non-commercial cultural exhibitions.
• No screening fees are paid.