Submissions deadline
14 Aug 26
RULES OF THE COMPETITION
1. PURPOSE OF THE COMPETITION
The Curtas Noia Industry Lab is organising the 1st Short Film Screenplay Competition with the aim of encouraging the creation of new cinematic works, fostering emerging talent and promoting stories capable of connecting local identity with global audiences.
The competition has been established as a tool for discovering and supporting new filmmakers, encouraging the development of screenplays with cinematic potential and the prospect of success at national and international film festivals.
Furthermore, the competition seeks to encourage entries that establish links with Galicia, its heritage, culture, landscapes or communities, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the Galician audiovisual ecosystem.
2. PARTICIPANTS
Anyone aged 18 or over, of any nationality or place of residence, may take part.
Participants must be the authors or co-owners of the rights to the works
submitted.
Scripts that have already been filmed or are currently in production are not eligible.
3. SCRIPT REQUIREMENTS
Submitted scripts must meet the following requirements:
- Be original and unpublished.
- Be written in Spanish or Galician.
- Be for short films in the fiction, documentary, animation or hybrid formats.
- Be no longer than 15 pages, including the cover page and synopsis.
- Include a synopsis of no more than 15 lines.
- Adhere to the professional screenwriting format (Courier 12).
Both original works and literary adaptations may be submitted, provided that the entrant holds the relevant rights.
Scripts must be submitted anonymously, with no name, signature or pseudonym visible on the document.
The organisers reserve the right to exclude any entries that fail to meet any of the established requirements.
4. CONNECTION TO GALICIA AND THE REGION
The theme is open.
However, the Curtas Noia Industry Lab will give special consideration to scripts that incorporate any of the following elements:
Galician culture.
Historical, natural or ethnographic heritage.
Folk traditions.
Galician landscapes or locations.
Use of the Galician language.
Stories linked to the sea, the coast or the rural world.
Collective memory and regional identity.
Contemporary themes related to Galician life.
A regional connection is not compulsory, but will be considered an additional criterion for assessment.
5. SUBMISSIONS AND REGISTRATION
Each author may submit up to three scripts.
Registration is free via the platform www.festhome.com until Friday 14 August 2026.
Entries must include:
- Document 1
A fully anonymised script in PDF format.
- Document 2
Author’s details:
Full name.
Email address.
Telephone number.
Brief filmography and biography.
6. DEADLINES
The deadline for registration is 14 August 2026 via the platform www.festhome.com
Entries received after the deadline will not be accepted.
7. SELECTION
A reading committee appointed by the organisers will assess all scripts received.
Up to ten (10) finalist scripts will be selected from among the entries submitted.
Selected authors will be able to take part in the activities of the Curtas Noia Industry Lab, including training sessions, networking opportunities and meetings with guest professionals.
8. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Projects will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Concept – Score
Narrative and cinematic quality – 35 points
Originality and creativity – 25 points
Production feasibility – 15 points
Festival potential – 15 points
Connection to Galicia and the region – 10 points
TOTAL: 100 POINTS
9. AWARDS
- Curtas Noia Industry Lab Award for Best Short Film Screenplay
The jury will award a cash prize of 300 euros to the best short film screenplay submitted.
- Ría de Noia Award for the Screenplay with the Strongest Regional Connection
The jury may award a special mention, without a cash prize, to the screenplay that best represents or promotes the cultural, historical or landscape identity of Galicia and the Noia region.
- Additional recognitions
The organisers may include new collaborations, consultancy services, mentoring, residencies or prizes in kind provided by partner organisations.
10. PUBLIC PRESENTATION
The authors of the shortlisted scripts may be invited to take part in a public presentation session as part of the Curtas Noia Industry Lab.
The organisers may facilitate meetings with production companies, distributors, festivals and other stakeholders in the audiovisual sector.
11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Authors shall retain ownership and the rights to exploit their works at all times.
Participation in the competition does not imply any transfer of rights to the organisers.
Participants guarantee that they are the rights holders of the works submitted and indemnify the organisers against any liability arising from third-party claims.
12. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
Participation in the competition implies full acceptance of these rules.
Any unforeseen circumstances will be resolved by the organisers of the Curtas Noia
Industry Lab.
The Councillor for Culture
Signed: Chelo Martínez
