Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
21.45€
A Short Production is a project under 40 minutes. Please select this option and we will assign the correct category for your project.
15 Dec 2025
Call for entries
26 Apr 2026
Early deadline
14 Jul 2026
Standard deadline
01 Oct 2026
Late deadline
08 Nov 2026
Extended deadline
8
mths
20 Nov 2026
Notification date
03 Dec 2026
04 Dec 2026
Festival start: 03 December 2026 Festival end: 04 December 2026
Dear Fellow Film Maker
Now we are IMDB listed festival for season 6 onwards! It is with great pleasure that we invite you to participate in the upcoming Phare International Film Festival in Mauritius. This year we have introduced new categories for young film makers as we celebrate our fifth anniversary! In addition We have dedicated a special category for our colleagues who have difficulty entering festivals due to restrictions or other limitations. You will find special free entry categories for your use below.
Phare International Film Festival is organised by a dedicated team of local film-makers. Having created films and entered festivals ourselves, we wanted to create a festival of our own. Our own films have won awards at numerous festivals around the world, so we appreciate the value of each project we review.
Learning from our experience and applying our knowledge, we aim to empower local and regional film-makers. Our festival is viewable live via social media channels and screened at one of the Island's local cinemas.
Our film festival brings local and international film-makers together in Mauritius to share culture, ideas, knowledge, experience, and, more importantly, each other’s creations.
In 2026 we will be launching Phare Stories OTT platform, with revenue share models and a host of other innovative tools to empower creators. Winners will be offered a prime positioning, and, where possible, a revenue sharing contract.
We look forward to sharing your project and to welcoming you to Phare International Film Festival.
- Laurels for the winners of each category
- Certificates for the winners of each category
- Winners will be offered, where possible, a revenue sharing deal with our OTT platform
RULES, TERMS & CONDITIONS
We have to set some base rules to make sure that everything is fair. So that people have had the opportunity to have the same amount of time. So nobody has been treated unfairly. So here are the rules for films being submitted clear and simple for everyone to see.
Now that we’ve gotten that clear. here are the specifications your film must adhere to:
- Short Films 15-20minutes is preferred there is 5 minute minimum duration. There is a maximum of 40 minutes
- Feature Films don’t have a time limit but must be at least 55 minutes duration.
- The film must be created after the 30th of June 2023
- Minimum Swearing
- No nudity
- Racism will not be tolerated
- Films can be from anywhere in the world since the festival is an international competition.
- The festival has the right to use a trailer, stills and a poster from the films for promotional purposes. Entrants also agree that if their project is selected, it may be screened at the festival and via its online platforms, as well as used by media networks in news features.
- Films may be packaged together, and offered to broadcasters for airing. If aired it is agreed that all proceeds will be utilised in the festival for further growth.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- There is no premiere status requirement for films that would like to enter.
- English subtitles are required for non-english Films.
- Films can also be available online and on other platforms and still enter the competition.
- Once a film is selected for our annual event, it cannot be withdrawn.
- Phare International Film Festival: Code of Ethics
- Phare International Film Festival awards are granted based on the artistic, narrative, and technical merit of the film itself. Our mission is to empower creators, not campaigns. The use of high-cost 'For Your Consideration' lobbying, political or otherwise, is in direct conflict with our "Creator is Sovereign" ethos and may result in a film's disqualification from award consideration.
- If we discover that your submission violates any of these rules, action will be taken accordingly, and could result in your submission being rejected completely.
AWARDS & PRIZES
- Laurels for the winners of each category
- Certificates for the winners of each category
- Winners will be offered, where possible, a revenue sharing deal with our OTT platform
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
A Short Production is a project under 40 minutes. Please select this option and we will assign the correct category for your project.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
A feature production is over 40 minutes. Please select this option and we will assign the correct category for your project.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
Your team must all be under 25 - submit your finished production to all categories.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
If you are from Mauritius then you are more than welcome to submit a video for any categories. However these fields are specifically for you. Allowing you to show off your island exactly how you want to. We have chosen this category specifically for Mauritius contestants because as a part of this festival we want to show off just how heavenly this island really is. Who is going to do that better than somebody who knows it like the back of their hands.ID will be required to verify your place of residence. Please contact us if in doubt
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
This category is specifically to nominate ONLY for Best Director/Producer/Actor/Actress/Supporting Actor/Supporting Actress - Your project does not have to be entered into the main festival.
Our team will contact you to seek additional clarity for the role to be assessed in this category.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
This is an additional category and must include a main project. The sound track of your production will be assessed independently to the main project.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
This category is open to Young Directors who were under the age of 25 when the project was created.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
This is an additional category and must include a main project. The nominated person of your production will be assessed independently to the main project. They must be under 18 at the time of production.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
We believe art must transcend all barriers. Phare International Film Festival offers free submission to all filmmakers from Iran. We are honored to provide a global platform for your work. Note, due to the unprecedented number of entries, we have limited this category to films less than 12 months, and over 14 mins long.
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
We believe art must transcend all barriers. Phare International Film Festival offers free submission to all filmmakers from Russia and Belarus. We are honored to provide a global platform for your work. Note, due to the unprecedented number of entries, we have limited this category to films less than 1 year old, and over 5 mins long
Submissions deadline
08 Nov 26
Cannes World Film Festival Winners Only - With Waiver
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