Festival De Cortometrajes De Piélagos (Piélagos En Corto) (17)

Festival start: 14 May 2027      Festival end: 22 May 2027

17th Piélagos Short Film Festival "Piélagos en Corto"

The Piélagos City Council presents the 17th edition of its film festival, a showcase for local and international talent. Featuring competitive categories for Cantabria, Spain, International films, and the UNESCO Costa Quebrada Geopark, the event celebrates the finest in short filmmaking (fiction, up to 30 minutes).

Official selections will compete for awards such as Best Cantabrian, National, and International Short Film, alongside technical category recognitions and the prestigious Geopark Award, which honors works highlighting this natural heritage site.

Submissions are open until December 20, 2026, exclusively via Festhome.

The closing gala in 2027 will feature screenings, networking events, and accommodation for nominees.

An unmissable gathering for emerging cinema, where landscape and storytelling converge!

Cash Prizes: 1,000€

17th Piélagos Short Film Festival "Piélagos en Corto"

Lights, camera, and... Cantabria! The 17th edition of our festival celebrates the art of filmmaking against the breathtaking backdrop of Spain's northern coast. This year, the winners will take home our signature award: a camera-shaped trophy, a symbol of cinematic excellence designed to honor your talent.

But this is more than just a festival:

Experience legendary Cantabrian hospitality
Discover dreamlike landscapes that have inspired great filmmakers
Toast to cinema at our exclusive post-gala cocktail reception featuring local specialties

AWARDS INCLUDE:

The coveted camera-shaped trophy
A one-night stay at a 4-star hotel (accommodation for the gala included for all nominees from outside Cantabria)
VIP access to the closing reception alongside the best of emerging cinema

COMPETE FOR THESE HONORS:

CANALLAVE Award

COSTA QUEBRADA Honor (UNESCO Geopark)

DUNAS DE LIENCRES Award for Best National, International, and Cantabrian Short Film

VALDEARENAS Honorary Award (Always a surprise)

CANTABRIA INFINITA Award (Social Values)

17TH PIÉLAGOS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

OFFICIAL SELECTION RULES & REGULATIONS

The Department of Culture of the Piélagos City Council launches the 17th edition of the Piélagos Short Film Festival "Piélagos en Corto". The Festival is structured into a Competitive Official Selection and a Parallel Section, the latter governed by its own specific rules.

This document exclusively outlines the participation guidelines for the Official Selection.

General Eligibility Requirement: Works must have a maximum runtime of 30 minutes and a production date after January 1, 2025.



1. SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES (OFFICIAL SELECTION)

Only fiction short films will be accepted in the following categories:

CANTABRIA: Short films produced by a legally established production company headquartered in Cantabria, and/or directed by a Cantabrian filmmaker (by birth or adoption, with at least two years of registered residency). In the case of co-productions, Cantabrian participation must be at least 60%.

NATIONAL - SPAIN: Spanish productions. In the case of co-productions, Spanish participation must be at least 60%.

INTERNATIONAL: Non-Spanish productions.



2. GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Ownership: Producers or directors who hold the legal rights to the works may submit. Each participant may submit as many works as desired.

language: If the original language is not Spanish, embedded/burned-in Spanish subtitles are mandatory at the time of submission.

Prior Submissions: Films selected in previous editions are not eligible.

Submission Platform: Submissions must be completed exclusively online via Festhome.com. Any other method is strictly excluded.

Technical Requirement: Submitted screeners must allow direct download for the selection committee from the moment of registration. Failure to enable downloads is grounds for disqualification.

Exhibition Rights and Special Screenings

Nominated Works (Official Selection): By submitting and being nominated, rights holders grant permission for non-commercial public screening at festival venues during official festival dates. This authorization is granted free of charge, waiving any claim to a screening fee.

All Submitted Works (Informational Sections and Special Screenings): Screening authorizations for special, educational, or promotional screenings apply exclusively to the official festival dates.

Screenings Outside Festival Dates: Should the festival organize activities outside the official dates, the screening of any submitted work will always require prior express written consent from the rights holders.

Promotional Material: The festival is authorized to use clips of the work (up to 15 seconds) and promotional stills exclusively for marketing and promoting the 17th edition.



3. NOMINATIONS AND awards

DUNAS DE LIENCRES awards (Official Selection)

Best International Short Film
Best National Short Film
Best Cantabrian Short Film

COSTA QUEBRADA awards (Official Selection)

(Exclusive to Spanish productions, regardless of the nominee's nationality)

Best Director, Original Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Art Direction, Sound, and Production Management.


SPECIAL awards

(Awarded at the discretion of the festival organization)

"Cantabria Infinita" Social Values Award: Recognizes films highlighting a commitment to ethical, social, educational, or cultural values.

"Valdearenas" Honorary / Emerging Talent Award: Honors outstanding career achievements or promising emerging talent.

Best Female / Male Performance Award: Awarded if the jury identifies an exceptional acting performance, subject to festival approval.

Cash prizes:

"awards do not include cash prizes, with the sole exception of the UNESCO COSTA QUEBRADA GEOPARK Award."

Note: The granting of these awards is subject to the organization's discretion and may be declared void if no suitable recipients meet the evaluation criteria.



4. deadlineS AND SELECTION

Submissions Open: September 1, 2026 – December 20, 2026.
Works in Progress: Accepted provided they are registered before December 20, 2026, and the final cut is delivered before January 15, 2027.

Notification: The list of nominees will be announced on social media starting mid-March 2027 and communicated individually.



5. CLOSING GALA INVITATIONS

National Nominees: The festival provides one double room for the nominee and a guest for the night of the closing gala. The invitation is non-transferable.

International Winner: Provided one double room for two nights (the night prior to and the night of the gala).

Included Services (for National Nominees and the International Winner):

Accommodation, breakfast, local hotel-to-theater transfers, and post-gala reception. Travel expenses to Cantabria are not included, though complimentary transfers from designated local transit arrival hubs will be available on specified dates.



6. JURY, DISPUTES, AND ACCEPTANCE

Jury: An Official Jury (5 to 8 industry professionals) selects the winners of the competitive categories. Special awards are designated directly by the festival organization.

Dispute Resolution: The festival organization reserves the right to settle, at its sole discretion and without appeal, any unforeseen event, query, or dispute regarding the interpretation of these rules.

Acceptance: Submitting a film to this edition implies full acceptance of these terms and conditions, the waiver of any legal claims regarding notification errors or entry management, and agreement with the non-fee screening terms.


ANNEX I: SPECIAL SECTION - UNESCO COSTA QUEBRADA GEOPARK

Genre: Fiction and Documentary accepted (maximum 30 minutes).
Theme: Works must incorporate the landscape of the GEOPARK as a central element, optionally highlighting local cultural traditions and/or traditional production methods.

Location: Scripts must include scenes set in real locations within the GEOPARK.

Award: The winner receives a trophy designed by the artist Godoy and a regional tourism experience package valued at €1,000.