Medellín Vertical Week (1)

Medellín Vertical Challenge is a series of calls for entries launched by Medellín Vertical Week as a challenge for those who aren’t afraid of rallies and teamwork against the clock.

The selected stories will be filmed, edited, and screened as part of Medellín Vertical Week.

Participants must arrive in the city by November 23 and will have until November 27 at the latest to film and submit their finished short films. These will be screened during the closing ceremony of MVW, where the various prizes established for each challenge will also be awarded.

There are three main categories of challenges:

Fantastic Vertical Challenge
Microdrama Challenge
Vertical Music Video Challenge

Eligibility Requirements:


Eligibility: Film production companies or individuals from any country.
Production and Technical Teams: All participants must form their own production teams and provide their own devices, cameras, and, in general, all the equipment necessary to shoot the proposed project. Regarding equipment, the organization will provide only space and equipment for the editing process.
Production timeline: All proposals must be fully filmed and edited during Medellín Vertical Week.
Format: Native Vertical (9:16).
Duration: 30 seconds to 4 minutes.
Authorship: Projects must be original and unpublished.
Use of AI: Selected projects may use artificial intelligence tools, provided that such use is justified and serves as a complementary support to the footage shot in Medellín.




Documents Required for Submission
Original script, proposal, storyboard, or pitch deck (depending on category)
Director’s statement
Production proposal


CHECK BACK SOON FOR THE RULES OF PARTICIPATION FOR EACH CHALLENGE AND APPLY

Vertical Cinema accepts standalone vertical short films that go beyond the mere creation of digital content and are conceived using cinematic language for public screening as part of Medellín Vertical Week.

From this perspective, the selection of films will focus on originality, narrative strength, cinematography, and, in general, the understanding and creative use of the native vertical format (9:16).

What types of projects are eligible to apply?


Theme: Open
Duration: 30 seconds to 4 minutes.
Format: Native Vertical 9:16.
Authorship: The applicant must hold the distribution/exhibition rights.
Use of AI: Permitted


Who can apply?

Film production companies or individuals from any country who have completed works to be screened as part of MVW.

All short films must be subtitled in English, as well as in Spanish if their original language is another.


Incentives/Awards/Prizes

Genre short films (horror, suspense, thriller, fantasy) selected for MVW will be considered for screening at the Fantastic Vertical Cinema Showcase in the Fantastic Pavilion at the Marché du Film during the 2027 Cannes Film Festival.

Announcements, awards, and recognitions will be presented during the MVW closing and awards ceremony.

VERTICAL MUSIC

Vertical Music accepts vertical music videos of any genre and length for public screening as part of Medellín Vertical Week.

Music videos will be selected based on the quality of the submissions and the creative use of the native vertical format (9:16).

What types of projects can apply?

Genre: Open
Duration: Open, subject to each song
Format: Native Vertical 9:16.
Use of AI: Allowed

Who can apply?

Film production companies or individuals from any country who have completed music videos ready for screening as part of MVW.

The applicant must be the producer or hold the rights to screen or distribute the work.


Incentives/Recognitions/Awards

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding awards in this category.

Announcements, awards, and recognitions will be presented during the MVW closing and awards ceremony.