Festival Internacional de Cine Atequiza (3)

Festival Start: 19 November 2026      Festival Ende: 21 November 2026

This is a festival that seeks to honor those who once witnessed and listened to a sunrise in Mexico and decided to preserve it for someone else; dedicated to the people who have given everything to express their art, no matter the cost or the challenges involved. It is for those who chose to portray a part of their reality through the different disciplines that shape the art of cinema.

In November 2026, the selected projects will be screened as part of the festival program, competing for awards granted by a jury composed of film industry professionals. The festival will also feature two workshops and a special recognition honoring an outstanding figure in the cultural field of Jalisco.

Screenings will take place at three representative venues in Atequiza and Guadalajara: the emblematic Teatro de Atequiza, the auditorium of the Miguel Hidalgo Rural Teachers’ College, and the Arróniz Building in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

Statuette created by a visual artist from Atequiza.
Printed and/or digital certificate of recognition.

OFFICIAL AWARDS

Best International Feature Film
Best Mexican Feature Film
Best International Short Film
Best Mexican Short Film
Best Short Film from Jalisco
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Screenplay
Audience Award
Special Jury Mention

OFFICIAL CALL FOR ENTRIES 2026
Atequiza International Film Festival
FICA 2026

Atequiza, Jalisco, Mexico

The organizing committee invites filmmakers, students, producers, and film professionals from Mexico and around the world to participate in the fourth edition of the festival, which will take place in November 2026 in Atequiza, Jalisco, Mexico.

FICA is a space dedicated to the exhibition, promotion, and strengthening of independent national and international cinema, supporting new cinematic voices and encouraging cultural exchange through audiovisual art.

OFFICIAL CATEGORIES

International Feature Film (Fiction, Documentary, Animation, or Experimental)
Mexican Feature Film
International Short Film
Mexican Short Film
Jalisco Short Film
International Documentary Feature
Mexican Documentary Feature
Animation
Experimental
Horror / Thriller
Student Cinema
Special Screening
(Out of Competition)

PARTICIPATION RULES

Short and feature films produced from January 1, 2024, until the submission deadline may participate.
Films must be submitted in HD digital format or higher.
All materials must be in horizontal orientation.
Films spoken in languages other than Spanish must include subtitles in either Spanish or English.
Once registered and selected, a film may not be withdrawn from the festival’s official program.
By registering a film, the director, producer, or representative authorizes the festival to screen the work during the event and to use excerpts, stills, images, and promotional materials for cultural and promotional purposes.
Participants are responsible for securing all copyrights, licenses, music clearances, and intellectual property rights related to the submitted works. The festival assumes no liability for legal claims arising from the submitted materials.
Films previously screened or awarded at other national or international festivals are eligible.
The organizing committee reserves the right to declare any category void if there is an insufficient number or quality of selected works.
Dates, schedules, venues, and screening order will be determined by the organizing committee and communicated in due time to the selected participants.
Decisions made by the selection committee and jury are final and non-appealable.
There is no limit to the number of works a participant may submit; however, each project must be registered separately.
The Official Selection and award winners will be announced through the festival’s official social media channels and communication platforms.
Official festival venues may include cultural spaces, theaters, public squares, and alternative venues in Atequiza, Guadalajara, and invited locations.
Submission procedures and material delivery instructions will be provided via email and through the festival’s official platforms.
Participation in the festival implies full acceptance of these rules, as well as the festival’s privacy and personal data policies.
The festival reserves the right to modify these regulations whenever circumstances require it.
Any updates will be communicated through official channels.
The festival may suspend or cancel the participation of any film or participant who fails to comply with these regulations or whose actions affect the integrity, image, or operation of the event.

GENERAL RULES

Register within the established deadlines.
Comply with the specifications of each category.
Respect the required running time.
Complete payment of the submission fee on time, when applicable.

Regarding the films:

Only works submitted by the director, producer, or authorized representative will be accepted.
National and international productions are eligible.
A single work may participate in multiple compatible categories.
Films with previous festival screenings are accepted.
National, international, or regional premieres will be positively considered.
Subject matter is open.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Films must be submitted through a private screening link (Vimeo, YouTube, or similar platform) with password protection and download enabled.

Each submission must include:

Film title
Country of production
Year of production
Running time
Genre and technique
Short synopsis
Full synopsis
Language
Sound format
Crew list
Cast list
Director’s biography
Director’s statement
Film stills
Official poster in JPG or PNG format

IMPORTANT DATES

Call for Entries Opens: May 2026
Regular Deadline: August 2026
Extended Deadline: September 2026
Official Selection Announcement: October 2026
Festival Dates: November 2026

SUBMISSIONS

Films may be submitted through the festival’s official platform: Festhome

OFFICIAL CONTACT

???? Atequiza, Jalisco, Mexico

Instagram: @festivaldecineatequiza

Facebook: Atequiza International Film Festival

FINAL PROVISIONS

Submitting a film implies full acceptance of all the rules, regulations, and provisions established in this call for entries.

The organizing committee reserves the right to resolve any situation not covered in this document.