Primeiro Plano - Festival de Cinema de Juiz de Fora e Mercocidades (25)

Début du Festival: 03 novembre 2025      Fin du Festival: 08 novembre 2026

Submissions are now open for another edition of the Primeiro Plano Film Festival of Juiz de Fora and Mercocities.

You can submit your short film to the festival's competitive sections until July 31.

The Regional Competition is open to filmmakers from Juiz de Fora and the surrounding region. The Mercocities Competition is dedicated to first-time directors from across Brazil and South American countries.

In addition to screening selected films, the festival continues to encourage new productions and strengthen the independent audiovisual sector.

The festival takes place in November and features a diverse programme including film screenings, workshops, panel discussions, networking events, and special activities for both audiences and filmmakers.

Follow our social media channels to stay up to date with all the latest news about this year's edition.

Submit your film and become part of the history of Primeiro Plano Film Festival!

Prix ​​en espèces: 2,022€

Awards

Audience Award

All short films selected for both the Mercocities Competitive Showcase and the Regional Competitive Showcase will compete for the Audience Award for Best Short Film, which includes a cash prize of R$1,000.

Luzes da Cidade Award

All short films selected for the Regional Competitive Showcase are also eligible for the Luzes da Cidade Award, which includes a cash prize of R$1,000.

Primeiro Plano Incentive Award

University short films produced by educational institutions based in Juiz de Fora and selected for the Regional Competitive Showcase are eligible for the Primeiro Plano Incentive Award.

A jury composed of qualified professionals appointed by the Festival Organization will award the best university short film with:

R$12,000 (twelve thousand Brazilian reais); and
Post-production services provided in partnership with companies and institutions from the audiovisual sector, to be used in the production of a new short film of up to 20 minutes.

The award will be presented to the film's director, who will be responsible for directing the new project. The Festival will appoint the person responsible for the executive production of the new film.

To qualify for the Primeiro Plano Incentive Award, applicants must indicate their intention to compete by selecting the appropriate option in the submission form. In addition, the short film must:

Have been produced by an educational institution based in Juiz de Fora; and
Have the director and at least three additional technical positions filled exclusively by university students enrolled at the time of production. These positions may include screenwriter, production manager, cinematographer, art director, sound technician, sound editor, and film editor. Student status must be officially certified by the educational institution.

Mercocities Competitive Showcase
Regulations for the Mercocities and Regional Competitive Showcases

1. The Festival

Primeiro Plano 2026 – Juiz de Fora and Mercocities Film Festival, organized by Luzes da Cidade – Grupo de Cinéfilos e Produtores Culturais, is a South American film festival dedicated exclusively to first-time directors, as well as a regional festival for films produced in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The festival will take place in the city of Juiz de Fora in November 2026.

The submission deadline for short films is July 31, 2026.

2. Eligibility

2.1 Mercocities Competitive Showcase (South American Short Films)

The Mercocities Competitive Showcase accepts the first short film directed by debut filmmakers from South American countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador).

Eligible films must:

Have been completed on or after January 2026;
Be submitted in digital format;

Have a maximum running time of 25 minutes.

2.2 Definition of a First Film

A first film is defined as a work whose director has never previously screened an audiovisual production at national or international film festivals, film showcases, film clubs, television networks, or similar exhibition venues.

2.3 Regional Competitive Showcase (Brazilian Short Films from Juiz de Fora, Zona da Mata and Vertentes)

The Regional Competitive Showcase accepts short films produced by filmmakers residing in Juiz de Fora and the Zona da Mata region of Brazil.

Eligible films must:

Have been completed on or after January 2025;
Be submitted in digital format;
Have a maximum running time of 25 minutes.

2.4 Ineligible Films

The following works will not be accepted:

Films produced for institutional, promotional or advertising purposes;
Films produced exclusively for television.

2.4.1 Submission Procedure

Submissions must be completed through the festival website:

www.primeiroplano.art.br

The submission form includes fields for the screening link and password (if applicable).

2.5 Registration Requirements

To submit a short film, the director, producer and/or rights holder must:

2.5.1

Complete the online submission form available at:

www.primeiroplano.art.br

2.5.2 Primeiro Plano Incentive Award

Short films wishing to compete for the Primeiro Plano Incentive Award within the Regional Competitive Showcase (restricted to Brazilian university short films from Juiz de Fora) must also send, by email to inscricoes@primeiroplano.art.br, proof of enrollment for three members of the production team from any university located in Juiz de Fora, including mandatory proof for the film's director.

3. Selection


3.1
All submitted films will be evaluated through their online screening links by a selection committee appointed by the Festival Organization.

3.2
After receiving the official selection notice, filmmakers or producers whose exhibition copy differs from the submitted preview version must make the exhibition file available for download and send the signed registration form by email no later than October 15, 2026.

3.3
Failure to deliver the exhibition copy within the established deadline will result in the film's removal from the competitive programme, since screenings may only be presented in the approved exhibition format.

4. Awards

4.1 Audience Award

All short films selected for both the Mercocities and Regional Competitive Showcases are eligible for the Audience Award for Best Short Film, consisting of R$1,000.

4.2 Luzes da Cidade Award

All films selected for the Regional Competitive Showcase are also eligible for the Luzes da Cidade Award, consisting of R$1,000.

4.3 Primeiro Plano Incentive Award

University short films produced by educational institutions located in Juiz de Fora and selected for the Regional Competitive Showcase are eligible for the Primeiro Plano Incentive Award.

A jury appointed by the Festival Organization will award:

R$12,000;
Post-production services provided by partner companies and audiovisual institutions.

The prize is intended to support the production of a new short film with a maximum running time of 20 minutes.

The award will be presented to the film's director, who will be responsible for producing the new work. The Festival Organization will appoint the executive producer for the project.

To be eligible, the short film must:

Be produced by an educational institution based in Juiz de Fora;

Indicate participation in the award on the submission form;

Have the director and at least three additional technical positions (screenwriter, production manager, cinematographer, art director, sound technician, sound editor and/or film editor) filled exclusively by university students at the time of production, as certified by the educational institution.

5. Screening Rights and Copyright

By submitting a film, the filmmaker or producer authorizes its screening during the festival and declares full responsibility for obtaining all necessary image, music and copyright clearances.

Any legal responsibility arising from unauthorized use of third-party content rests exclusively with the filmmaker or producer.

The Festival may use excerpts of up to 30 seconds from selected films for promotional purposes on television, radio, the internet or any other media.

6. Final Provisions

Public or private organizations, as well as individuals wishing to present independent awards to participating films, may do so in accordance with their own regulations, subject to prior approval by the Festival Organization and notification before October 1, 2026.

A debut filmmaker is defined as a director who has never previously presented an audiovisual work in the Competitive Sections of film festivals or film showcases in Brazil or abroad.

Following the festival, the Festival Organization will be responsible for returning exhibition copies to their original addresses, where applicable.

Any matters not covered by these Regulations shall be decided by the Festival Organization.

Submitting a film to the Primeiro Plano 2026 – Juiz de Fora and Mercocities Film Festival constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of all the provisions contained in these Regulations.