Festival Internacional de Cine de Viña del Mar (38)

Festival start: 23 November 2026      Festival end: 28 November 2026

The Viña del Mar International Film Festival
is a municipal event that dates back to 1963. It is the oldest in the country and the second oldest in Latin America.

It was founded as an initiative of filmmaker and physician Aldo Francia and the Viña del Mar Film Club. It was the birthplace of the New Latin American Cinema and the New Chilean Cinema.

AWARDS

9.1 - ABOUT THE JURIES

The juries for the various competitions will consist of professionals associated with the film and audiovisual industry, or involved in both national and international culture.

Members of the juries are not eligible to submit works to the competition.

The juries for each competition will issue a final and binding decision, awarding the prizes indicated, symbolized in the PAOA as the highest honor of the Viña International Film Festival, in addition to institutional awards granted by the Municipality of Viña del Mar, ADG, ANIMACHI, Chileguionistas, and SCD. The Festival Management stipulates that the juries of any category may not declare any of the prizes listed below void.

9.2 - ABOUT THE PRIZES

If the winner(s) receiving cash prizes are not present at the FICVIÑA awards ceremony, the amount corresponding to the category will be sent via certified mail, with transfer fees deducted from the prize amount.

Ibero-American Feature Film Competition

The Ibero-American Feature Film Competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Fiction Feature Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of three and a half million Chilean pesos ($3,500,000), awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.
- Special Mention from the Specialized Critics: Galvano Award of recognition awarded by the Specialized Critics Jury.

Ibero-American Feature-Length Documentary Competition

The Ibero-American feature-length documentary competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Documentary Feature Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival and the equivalent in U.S. dollars of two and a half million Chilean pesos ($2,500,000), awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Mention from the Jury: Certificate of Recognition.

National Feature Film Competition DESDE AQUÍ

The national competition for fiction and documentary feature films is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Feature Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and the equivalent in US dollars of one and a half million Chilean pesos ($1,500,000), awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Best Director: Award presented by the Chilean Association of Directors and Screenwriters.
- Best Screenplay: Award presented by the Chilean Association of Directors and Screenwriters.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.

PULSO IBEROAMERICANO Short Film Competition.

The PULSO IBEROAMERICANO Ibero-American Short Film Competition offers the following awards:
- Best Ibero-American Short Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and a trophy awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.

UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO Animated Short Film Competition

The Ibero-American animated short film competition UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Animated Short Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and a trophy awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
Animachi Award
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.

HABITAR Competition

The HABITAR Competition offers the following awards:
- Best HABITAR Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, presented by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition
- Best Director: Award presented by the Association of Directors and Screenwriters of Chile.

1. FESTIVAL OBJECTIVES

The 38th Viña del Mar International Film Festival (FICVIÑA), remaining true to the vision of its founders, has served as a gathering place for Latin American filmmaking since 1963. With this objective in mind, the festival:
- Recognizes the careers of prominent filmmakers in Ibero-American cinema.
- It serves as a forum for discussion and debate on the themes of Ibero-American cinema, contributing to its promotion and development.
- It promotes new cinematic works that drive and highlight cultural and social transformations.
- It cultivates audiences for Ibero-American cinema with a critical perspective.
- It prioritizes the quality of the works in competition across all categories.

2. FESTIVAL DATES

The 38th Viña del Mar International Film Festival (FICVIÑA) will take place from Monday, November 23, to Saturday, November 28, 2026.

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN COMPETITIONS

Any Ibero-American film (from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal) may participate in the categories of Feature Film and Short Film, Fiction, Documentary, and Animation.

A short film is defined as any film with a runtime of 30 minutes or less. A feature film is defined as any film with a runtime of 60 minutes or more.

A requirement is that the film must not have previously participated in or been submitted to the FICVIÑA competition. Films that have already been submitted or screened in previous editions of the festival will be disqualified.

Works produced between 2025 and 2026 will be accepted.

Applicants agree that they hold the exhibition rights and legal clearance for the works submitted to the festival.

Each applicant may submit a maximum of 3 works.

The deadline for receiving submissions is Friday, August 7, 2026, and this deadline is final. After the indicated date, no submissions of any kind will be accepted by any means.

4. COMPETITION CATEGORIES

4.1.- Ibero-American Feature-Length Fiction Film Competition:
For feature-length fiction films, either in Spanish or subtitled in Spanish, with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes and which have not been released in theaters in Chile.
4.2.- Ibero-American Documentary Feature Film Competition:
For documentary feature films, either in Spanish or subtitled in Spanish, with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes and which have not been released in theaters in Chile.
4.3.- DESDE AQUÍ National Feature Film Competition:
For Chilean fiction and documentary feature films with a minimum runtime of 60 minutes that have not been released in theaters.
4.4.- Ibero-American Short Film Competition PULSO IBEROAMERICANO:
For fiction, documentary, and experimental short films, either in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles, with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes.
4.5.- Ibero-American Animated Short Film Competition UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO
For animated short films with Spanish voice-over or subtitles, with a maximum runtime of 30 minutes.
4.6.- HABITAR Regional Competition:
Exclusively for Chilean works, regardless of runtime or genre, produced in regions of Chile other than the Metropolitan Region. In particular, preference is given to works that highlight, through their staging, the territory in which they are set.
4.7.- Best Chilean Original Score Competition for National Fiction and Documentary Feature Films - SCD
For Chilean Fiction Feature Films and Documentaries. The film must have premiered—whether in theaters, film festivals, or online platforms—between September 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026. It is a requirement that the film feature original music composed specifically for the feature film. The author and composer of the music must be Chilean, or a foreigner who has resided in Chile for at least 5 years.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE 2026 SELECTION

All applicants for the preliminary selection of this call must submit their works by Friday, August 7, 2026, at the latest; this deadline is final.
Registration for the 2026 pre-selection stage will be conducted via an online platform:
FESTHOME:
Submissions must be made exclusively through the platform www.festhome.com.

The platform charges a service fee for its use. This fee must be paid by each participant.

APPLICATION FORM:
Exclusively for applicants with financial difficulties; please request a link via email.

APPLICATION FOR THE “BEST CHILEAN FILM MUSIC” COMPETITION FOR NATIONAL FEATURE FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES - SCD:

Submit the material via a Vimeo link or another online screener link with a password. The link must remain active until after the FICVIÑA awards ceremony so that the curators can view the material. Send the link and technical specifications to: musicadepeliculaficvina@gmail.com
Deadline for submission of works: Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

6. PROCESS FOR SELECTED WORKS

Selected works will be screened during the 38th Festival in the city of Viña del Mar in 2026, from Monday, November 23, to Saturday, November 28, 2026, according to a schedule to be determined once the preliminary selection curators’ decisions are known.

The results of the films selected for the 2026 official competition will be notified via email to each film’s representative between September 22 and 26, with confirmation of receipt of the information required by September 29, 2026, at the latest.

If confirmation is not received by the stipulated dates, the FICVIÑA organization will have full discretion to select another film in its place.

Furthermore, representatives of the selected films agree to submit the exhibition and promotional materials listed in point 7 by October 6, 2026, at the latest. If the materials are not received by the stipulated date, the organization reserves the right to remove the film from the competition.

The results will be officially announced by the FICVIÑA organization on a date to be confirmed.

The selected films and winners in each category will receive the FICVIÑA 2026 awards logo via email, so they may include a mention of their participation in the Festival in their respective promotional materials, film credits, etc.

7. SCREENING FEE

Participation in any of the official competitions of the 38th Viña del Mar International Film Festival, FICVIÑA 2026, does not require the payment of a screening fee by the organization for selected films.

By submitting an entry and accepting their selection for the competition, the filmmakers, producers, or legal representatives of the selected works declare that they are aware of and accept this condition.

8. SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS

All applicants SELECTED for the official competition must submit their works and materials by October 6, 2026, in accordance with the following requirements:

8.1 Screening copy in a format appropriate for the category in which you are applying:
Ibero-American Feature Film Competition (Fiction): Online DCP and ProRes digital copy.
Ibero-American Feature Film Competition (Documentary): Online DCP and ProRes digital copy.
National Feature Film Competition “DESDE AQUÍ”: Online DCP and ProRes digital copy.
Regional Competition “HABITAR”: Online DCP or ProRes digital copy.
Ibero-American Short Film Competition PULSO IBEROAMERICANO: Online DCP format or ProRes digital copy.
Ibero-American Animated Short Film Competition UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO: Online DCP format or ProRes digital copy.

8.2 Subtitles
All films must include Spanish subtitles embedded in the video, regardless of the language spoken.

8.3 Trailer
In ProRes or H264 digital format, stereo sound. If a trailer is not available, submit a clip of no more than 1 minute. Spanish subtitles must be displayed on screen.

8.4 Synopsis:
Maximum of 500 characters.

8.5 Technical details for the catalog:
Director.
Genre.
Year.
Country(ies).
Runtime.
Screenplay.
Production company.
Production.
Director of Photography.
Art Direction.
Editing.
Sound.
Cast (up to 3 names).
Contact.
Social media accounts for the film or production company.

8.6 High-quality stills from the film:
Minimum 300 DPI, PNG or TIFF format.

8.7 Director Information
First and last names.
Occupation.
Gender.
Bio and filmography of up to 500 characters.
High-quality portrait: Full face, visible face, minimum 300 DPI, PNG or TIFF format.
Social media

Availability for interviews with accredited FICViña press: Yes/No

8.8 Press Kit
Optional, for press distribution.
Editorial decisions regarding the catalog are the sole responsibility of the FICViña 2026 team.

AWARDS

9.1 - ABOUT THE JURIES

The juries for the various competitions will consist of professionals linked to the film and audiovisual industry, or involved in both national and international culture.

Jury members are ineligible to submit works to the competition.

The juries for each competition will issue a final and binding decision, awarding the prizes indicated, symbolized in the PAOA as the highest honor of the Viña International Film Festival, in addition to institutional awards granted by the Municipality of Viña del Mar, ADG, ANIMACHI, Chileguionistas, and SCD. The Festival Management stipulates that the juries of any category may not declare any of the prizes listed below void.

9.2 - ABOUT THE AWARDS

If the winner(s) receiving cash prizes are not present at the FICVIÑA awards ceremony, the amount corresponding to the category will be sent via certified mail, with transfer fees deducted from the prize amount.

Ibero-American Feature Film Competition

The Ibero-American Feature Film Competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Fiction Feature Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of three and a half million Chilean pesos ($3,500,000), awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.
- Special Mention from the Specialized Critics: Galvano Award of recognition awarded by the Specialized Critics Jury.

Ibero-American Feature-Length Documentary Competition

The Ibero-American feature-length documentary competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Documentary Feature Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival and the equivalent in U.S. dollars of two and a half million Chilean pesos ($2,500,000), awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Mention from the Jury: Certificate of Recognition.

National Feature Film Competition DESDE AQUÍ

The national competition for fiction and documentary feature films is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Feature Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and the equivalent in US dollars of one and a half million Chilean pesos ($1,500,000), awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Best Director: Award presented by the Chilean Association of Directors and Screenwriters.
- Best Screenplay: Award presented by the Chilean Association of Directors and Screenwriters.

- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.

PULSO IBEROAMERICANO Short Film Competition.

The PULSO IBEROAMERICANO Ibero-American Short Film Competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Ibero-American Short Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and a trophy awarded by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.

UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO Animated Short Film Competition

The UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO Ibero-American animated short film competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best Animated Short Film: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, and a trophy presented by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
Animachi Award
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition.

HABITAR Competition

The HABITAR Competition is eligible for the following awards:
- Best HABITAR Work: PAOA, Official Award of the Viña del Mar International Film Festival, presented by the Municipality of Viña del Mar.
- Special Jury Mention: Certificate of Recognition
- Best Director: Award presented by the Chilean Association of Directors and Screenwriters.

10. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
By submitting the Registration Form through any of the application channels, the applicant agrees to participate in the Festival under the conditions set forth in these Rules.

Once their participation in the FICVIÑA Official Competition has been confirmed, selected films may not withdraw from the 2026 edition of the festival.

By submitting their work to this Festival, filmmakers authorize the use of selected works on television (excerpts) or in any other medium for the sole purpose of promoting the event.

Films in the PULSO IBEROAMERICANO, UNIVERSOS EN JUEGO, and HABITAR short film categories selected for the 2026 edition may be screened as part of FICVIÑA’s audience outreach and education initiatives, including special screenings for Chilean public non-profit educational institutions and screenings within the FICVIÑA 2026-2027 audience education program. All these screenings are free of charge and will be notified in writing in advance to the respective representatives of each short film.

The 38th FICVIÑA 2026 reserves the right to make any decision it deems appropriate in the event of any situation not covered by these rules, whether an applicant, pre-selected entrant, or selected entrant is implicated in any allegation of violation of rights and ethical codes and/or legal infringement that damages the festival’s reputation.

11. ORGANIZATIONAL CREDITS
Organized by: Municipality of Viña del Mar, Chile.
Co-organized by: Universidad Viña del Mar, Duoc UC Viña del Mar Campus, and Espacio Cultural Viña del Mar.
Project funded by the Audiovisual Development Fund, Call for Proposals 2026 of the Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Heritage.

12. CONTACT
For inquiries or further information about the competitions and screenings, please contact us via email at: competencias@ficvina.cl.

For inquiries regarding the Best National Music in Fiction and Documentary Feature Film Competition, please email: rosario.salas@munivina.cl, musicadepeliculaficvina@gmail.com
You can find all information about the Festival on our website: www.ficvina.cl.