Festival Internacional de documentários Visões do Mar (2)

Festival start: 26 November 2026      Festival end: 28 November 2026

Visões do Mar – International Documentary Film Festival

2nd Edition | November 26–28, 2026 | Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Visões do Mar – International Documentary Film Festival returns for its second edition, taking place from November 26 to 28, 2026, in Niterói, Brazil, reaffirming documentary cinema as a powerful tool for reflection, engagement, and envisioning possible futures for the oceans and their communities.

This year, science and youth will be at the heart of the festival’s program, bringing together researchers, young filmmakers, students, educators, and coastal communities. The festival aims to foster a critical and democratic ocean culture, connecting scientific knowledge, collective memory, art, and the lived experiences of local communities.

In the face of the climate emergency, marine pollution, and the challenges affecting coastal populations, the festival embraces social impact documentary filmmaking as a means of encouraging dialogue around ocean conservation, climate justice, and the protection of coastal ways of life.

Over three days, Visões do Mar will take place across cinemas, schools, cultural centers, and community spaces throughout Niterói, featuring film screenings, discussions, gatherings, and educational activities.

Visões do Mar is a call to look at the ocean through the perspectives of science, local communities, and new generations imagining different futures for our planet.

2026 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submission period: June 30 to September 30, 2026.

Submissions for the 2nd edition of Visões do Mar – International Documentary Film Festival are free of charge and must be made through the submission form available on this page.

Film Eligibility

The festival welcomes submissions of:

Films completed from January 2023 onwards;
Short films (up to 30 minutes), medium-length films (31 to 60 minutes), and feature-length films (over 60 minutes);

Films addressing themes related to oceans, coastal communities, ocean culture, the sea as a sacred space, socio-environmental issues, and traditional ways of life;
Brazilian and international productions;

Films in languages other than Portuguese, provided they include Portuguese subtitles or a separate subtitle file in VTT or SRT format.


1. GENERAL SUBMISSION RULES

Submissions are free of charge.

Submissions must be made exclusively through the form available on the festival’s website.

All information provided during the submission process is the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Films must be submitted via an online screening link, with a password if required.

The screening link and password must remain active and valid throughout the selection period.

A separate submission form must be completed for each film.

By submitting a film, the applicant declares that they hold all necessary rights and authorizations for the film’s participation and screening, including image, sound, music, and any other copyrighted material used in the work.

Films not in Portuguese must include Portuguese subtitles embedded in the video or provided as a separate VTT or SRT file.


2. SELECTION PROCESS

The selection committee will include audiovisual professionals, researchers, and representatives of communities and territories connected to the festival’s themes.

Films will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Technical and artistic quality;
Social and environmental relevance;
Representation of historically underrepresented groups, communities, and territories;
Originality of approach;

Potential to engage with the festival’s audiences and themes.

Procedures

Applicants whose films are selected will be notified by email.

Following notification, selected filmmakers must submit the screening file and promotional materials within a maximum of 10 business days.

Materials must be submitted via a file transfer link or platform indicated by the festival organizers.

The screening copy must not exceed 5 GB.

Failure to submit the required materials within the specified deadline may result in the film being withdrawn from the program.

The festival is authorized to use excerpts from selected films, trailers, teasers, posters, and promotional images exclusively for the communication and promotion of the festival.


3. SELECTION RESULTS AND SCREENINGS

The list of selected films will be announced by October 15, 2026.

Filmmakers and representatives of selected films must submit all screening materials according to the deadlines and technical specifications provided by the festival organizers.

Selected films will be included in the program of the 2nd edition of Visões do Mar – International Documentary Film Festival, taking place from November 26 to 28, 2026, in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


4. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Submission of a film implies full acceptance of these rules and regulations.

Representatives of selected films authorize their screening during the festival, according to the program established by the organizers.

Submission and selection do not imply the payment of screening fees or other remuneration, unless otherwise agreed in advance between the parties.

The festival is not responsible for technical issues, inactive links, incorrect passwords, or improperly submitted files.

Any matters not covered by these regulations will be reviewed and decided by the festival directors.
Share your vision of the ocean with us.

Visões do Mar invites filmmakers from Brazil and around the world to bring stories, voices, and perspectives that connect people to the ocean and inspire new possibilities for our shared future. Submit your film and join us in Niterói.

Submission deadline: September 30, 2026.