Festival Internacional de Cortos de la Cuenca del Salado (17)

Festival start: 04 October 2026      Festival end: 11 October 2026

The 17th International Short Film Festival of the Salado Basin will take place in Rauch (Argentina) from October 4 to 11, 2026.

The Festival is organized by the “Cineclub El Gabinete” Civil Association of Rauch, with the support of the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Rauch, the Buenos Aires Cultural Institute, and the endorsement of the Faculty of Art of UNICEN (National University of the Center of the Province of Buenos Aires).

AWARDS
The awards will consist of statuettes, incentives, and nominations for other festivals, specifically the “Terre da film” Festival in Turin, Italy, and the IBICINE Festival held in Ibiza, Spain.

Additionally, FICCS 2026 is a qualifying festival for the Ibero-American category of the “Fugaz” Awards in Spain, and the Short Film category of the “Sur” Awards in Argentina. In these cases, the festival organization will be responsible for selecting the representatives.

National Music Video Category
The Jury will grant 1 (one) award for each subcategory:

Best Local Music Video

Best Regional Music Video

Best National Music Video

Up to 2 (two) special mentions may be granted per subcategory.

Local Competition
The Jury will grant 1 (one) "Cine La Familia" award for the Best Rauchense Short Film. Up to 2 (two) special mentions may be awarded.

RAFMA Award
A specially designated jury from the Argentine Network of Film Festivals and Audiovisual Exhibitions (RAFMA) will select a winner for the Institution’s diploma.

SIGNIS Award
A specially designated jury from the World Catholic Association for Communication will select a winner.

National Film Schools Competition
The Jury will grant 1 (one) award for the Best Short Film from National Film Schools. Up to 2 (two) special mentions may be awarded.

Environmental Shorts Competition
Based on a public vote, 1 (one) award will be granted for the Best Environmental Short Film. Up to 2 (two) special mentions may be granted per subcategory.

Shorts from Spain
Based on a public vote during a screening organized alongside the Spanish Mutual Aid Society (Rauch Branch), 1 (one) award will be granted for the Best Short Film from Spain. Up to 2 (two) special mentions may be awarded.

National and International Short Film Competition
The Jury will grant 1 (one) award for each of the following:

Best National Short Film: Fiction, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental.

Best International Short Film: Fiction, Documentary, Animation, and Experimental.

Up to 2 (two) special mentions may be granted per subcategory.

General Award
From among all the works selected across the various categories, the Jury will grant 1 (one) award for the Best Short Film of the XVII International Short Film Festival of the Cuenca del Salado.

UPON RECEIVING AN AWARD
The producers and directors of the award-winning films commit to highlighting these honors in all advertising and press materials using the Festival logo. This logo will be available on the Festival’s website.

Any award granted that is not received during the Closing Ceremony may be collected at the Festival offices in the city of Rauch (or as otherwise indicated depending on circumstances) for up to one month after the conclusion of the event.

The 17th International Short Film Festival of the Salado Basin (FICCS 2026) aims primarily to encourage and facilitate encounters between members of regional, national, and international audiovisual production, and to showcase short films of all genres, contributing to the development of culture and the growth and promotion of the audiovisual industry.


SUBMISSIONS

A) Submission of films in all categories is free of charge. Any producer or filmmaker who holds the rights to the submitted works may participate.

B) Submissions must be completed by filling out the Online Entry Form available at www.ficcs.com.ar
or on the platform www.festhome.com

C) Each participant may submit as many films as they wish, provided they were completed after January 1, 2025.

Each film submitted to the competition must be sent separately and with its own entry form.

● If submitting via the FESTHOME platform, all requirements must be completed there (fees covered by the platform).

● If the film is available on Vimeo or YouTube, the corresponding link must be provided.

D) Films must be submitted in their original language. If the language is not Spanish, Spanish subtitles are mandatory for acceptance.

E) Films previously submitted to past editions of the Festival will not be accepted. Submissions open on April 19 and close on July 4, 2026, for all categories.

The Festival offices are located at Villa Rauch, Casa 7, Rauch - CP 7203 - Tel.: +54 249 4591263.

This information is provided for relevant purposes, but it is expressly stated that all submissions must be completed exclusively online.

The Organization assumes that all individuals or groups submitting works hold the exhibition rights and, in the case of collective authorship, are authorized to receive any awards.

The Organization declines all responsibility for any violation of these rules.


FESTIVAL CATEGORIES

The 17th International Short Film Festival of the Salado Basin includes the following categories: National Music Video, Local Competition, National Film Schools Competition, National and International Environmental Short Film Competition, and National and International Short Film Competition.

● NATIONAL MUSIC VIDEO

This category accepts national music videos with a maximum duration of 6 minutes (including credits). All music genres are eligible. Three subcategories are established:

1. Local music videos: by local filmmakers featuring local musicians

2. Regional music videos: by filmmakers from the Salado Basin region featuring musicians from the same area

3. National music videos: by Argentine filmmakers featuring national musicians

All productions must have been completed after January 1, 2025.


● LOCAL COMPETITION

This competition is aimed at independent filmmakers, primary and secondary schools in the Rauch school district, and local institutions.

Short films of up to 30 minutes (including credits) will be accepted.

Students may participate under the coordination of teachers, either individually or in groups.

All productions must have been completed after January 1, 2025.


● NATIONAL FILM SCHOOLS COMPETITION

This category accepts national short films produced within film school projects, in any audiovisual format.

Submissions must be made by the institution or the filmmaking team, including institutional endorsement.

Maximum duration: 30 minutes (including credits).

All productions must have been completed after January 1, 2025.


● NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION

This category accepts national and international short films focused on environmental issues.

Maximum duration: 30 minutes (including credits).

All productions must have been completed after January 1, 2025.


● NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION

This category accepts national and international short films in Fiction, Animation, Documentary, and Experimental genres.

Maximum duration: 30 minutes (including credits).

All productions must have been completed after January 1, 2025.


SELECTION COMMITTEE

A Selection Committee composed of industry professionals and members of the Festival team will pre-select films in each category.

The Committee will select works that align with the Festival’s objectives and demonstrate relevant artistic and/or innovative value.

Selected films will be announced starting October 1, 2026, via email.


SELECTED FILMS

To prepare the program, catalogue, and promotion, selected filmmakers must send the following materials by email to cineclubelgabinete@yahoo.com.ar:

PRESS INFORMATION:

– Synopsis (max. 300 characters)

– Director’s and/or production company biofilmography (max. 400 characters)

– Director’s photo (JPG, 300 dpi)

– Full list of technical and artistic credits

– Two still images from the film (JPG, 300 dpi)

– Optional promotional materials (poster, etc.)

– Screening authorization for the online edition hosted on the Festival’s website

– Authorization for screenings in traveling showcases

DIGITAL FILE:

– Format: H264 codec, .mp4, bitrate 50,000, resolution HD 1920x1080, audio AAC 48 kHz stereo

Participants authorize the Organization to use stills, images, and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes.

Submitted materials may be used across all promotional and advertising platforms of the Festival.

Once programmed, films cannot be withdrawn.

The Festival Organization determines the screening schedule.


OFFICIAL JURY

The Jury will be composed of audiovisual, artistic, and cultural professionals at local, regional, and national levels, including academic representatives from the UNICEN Faculty of Art.

Organizers may attend deliberations but will not vote, except for the special “Beatriz Gil” award for human values and rights.

Jury members must have no conflict of interest and agree not to publicly express opinions before the official announcement of awards.

Awards may be cumulative.


INDEPENDENT JURY

The Festival collaborates with institutions and professionals who may grant additional awards to selected films.


SCREENINGS

The Festival will take place both in-person and online. Selected films will be screened from October 4 to 11, 2026, at the Casa de la Cultura Cinema Space (Avda. San Martín 151, Rauch).

Participants also agree to simultaneous online screening at www.ficcs.com.ar


ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

Participation in the Festival implies full acceptance of these rules, as well as any decisions made by the Organization regarding matters not covered herein.