Festival Internacional De Cine Corto De Cali (18)

Festival start: 24 September 2026      Festival end: 26 September 2026

The International Short Film Festival of Cali, through its open call for entries, seeks to be a space for the exhibition of professional and university short films from Cali and around the world, establishing itself as a meeting point for emerging filmmakers and short film professionals.

The 18th International Short Film Festival of Cali will take place from September 23 to 26, 2026, in Santiago de Cali, Colombia.

The call for entries for the festival’s competitive sections will be open from June 12, 2026, and submissions will close at midnight on July 24, 2026, Colombian local time (UTC-5).

Films submitted to the following sections: National Official Selection, National University Official Selection, International Official Selection, and International University Official Selection, must have been completed after January 15, 2025.

The results of the call for entries for the festival’s competitive sections will be announced on the festival’s official website, www.cortoscali.com, on August 31, 2026.

AWARDS

A jury composed of at least three (3) people will give the following prizes:

OFFICIAL SELECTION

A. Garra de Oro to the Best International Film.

B. Garra de Oro to the Best National Film.

C. Garra Intravenosa to the Best National University Film.

D. Garra Intravenosa to the Best International University Film.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Each section, although different in nature, aims to showcase the work of student and professional filmmakers, fostering dialogue between the films and the perspectives of different regions of Colombia and the world. The festival contributes to the exhibition of audiovisual works that rarely have the opportunity to find a physical audience while strengthening the development of emerging filmmakers worldwide.


COMPETITIVE SECTIONS

National University Official Selection: This is the festival’s oldest section. It consists of short films produced by film schools or universities offering film-related programs throughout Colombia. Films directed by Colombian citizens are eligible to participate. Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length. All genres and themes are accepted.

National Official Selection: This section is dedicated to professional Colombian short films by emerging filmmakers who represent the future of national cinema.

Films directed by Colombian citizens studying film or related audiovisual disciplines, either in Colombia or abroad, are eligible to participate. Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length. All genres and themes are accepted.

International Official Selection: Open to films directed by citizens from any country in the world.

Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length. All genres and themes are accepted.

International University Official Selection: Open to films directed by citizens from any country in the world who are studying film or related disciplines. Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length. All genres and themes are accepted.

*The selection committee may reassign some films submitted to the Official Selection to other sections or parallel non-competitive showcases.

*On the announcement date, the selection committee may declare any competitive section void if deemed necessary.


CALL FOR ENTRIES REGULATIONS

Only one (1) short film may be submitted per director. Participation in multiple projects under other roles is permitted.

If the submitted film is spoken in a language other than Spanish (english, French, German, etc.), it must include embedded Spanish subtitles.

Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length. All genres and themes are accepted.

Only films completed after January 15, 2025, will be accepted.

To be considered for the university sections, films must have been produced within an academic institution.

Complete the submission form through Festhome and submit the film through the same platform. The submission fee is USD 2.

By completing the submission form, participants acknowledge and accept the regulations of the 18th International Short Film Festival of Cali 2026.

Films in languages other than Spanish without Spanish subtitles will not be considered.

*Priority will be given to films that have NOT been premiered in Colombia. However, films that have already been screened at other film events in the country are still eligible to apply.


TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

When submitting your project, please take into account the following technical requirements:

Video
· File format: .mov or .mp4
· Video codec: H.264
· Bitrate: between 12,000 and 20,000 Kbps (12–20 Mbps)
· Recommended format: HD Video 1920x1080
· subtitles: Embedded in the video (if the film is not spoken in Spanish)
Audio
· Audio codec: MPEG-4 AAC / Stereo 44.1 KHz / 128 Kbps


SUBMISSION MATERIALS
(APPLIES TO ALL SECTIONS)

The following materials must be attached along with the film file through Festhome:

Director’s photograph.
Producer’s photograph.
Still images from the short film (maximum 2, for the catalogue).
Digital film poster.
Production stills (maximum 2, only if available).


ABOUT THESE REGULATIONS

These regulations may undergo minor modifications during the submission period.