Festival Curta Cinema - Festival Internacional de Curtas do Rio de Janeiro (36)

Festival start: 17 March 2027      Festival end: 24 March 2027

Festival Curta Cinema – Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival is one of Latin America’s leading showcases dedicated exclusively to short films. For over 35 years, the festival has fostered dialogue between contrasting aesthetics, languages and cultures, offering filmmakers a powerful platform for visibility, recognition, and creative exchange with audiences and industry professionals from around the world.

The festival selects up to 800 minutes of short films for its National and International Competitions. Beyond that, additional works are presented through Panoramas and Special Programs, dramatically expanding the scope and diversity of the overall festival program. All films are digital works (≤ 30 minutes), drawn from Brazil and worldwide.

More than screenings: Curta Cinema hosts masterclasses, workshops, debates, and post‑screening Q&A sessions with filmmakers and audiovisual professionals — offering chances for learning and networking.

In the most recent edition, the festival received a record number of submissions — over 4,600 productions — reinforcing its growing international profile.

Join us in Rio de Janeiro — for vibrant cinema, creative exchange, and the chance to share your story on an international stage.

• National and International Grand Prizes (Brazilian and International Competitons): Qualification for the Academy Awards® in the Short Film category, in accordance with the rules of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility).

• Special Jury Prize (Brazilian and International Competitions).

• Best Director (Brazilian and International Competitions).

• Best Film – First Frames Competition.

• Special Jury Prize – First Frames Competition.

• Audience Awards: Panorama Carioca and Latin American Panorama.

• Additional awards may be offered by Festival partners and sponsors. Selected filmmakers will be informed in advance whenever participation requires any licensing or assignment of exhibition rights.

These Regulations establish the rules governing the submission, selection, and participation of films in the 36th edition of Curta Cinema – Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival, to be held from March 17 to 24, 2027, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

1. Purpose

To promote Brazilian and international short films, encourage the circulation of audiovisual works, foster professional exchange, and contribute to audience development through in-person theatrical screenings.

2. Organization

The Festival is organized by FRANCO – Associação Franco Cultural, in partnership with Franco Produções.

3. Festival Dates

March 17–24, 2027.

4. Festival Profile

Curta Cinema is a competitive short film festival. All screenings and activities take place in person at cinemas and cultural venues.

5. Submissions

5.a Submissions will be accepted exclusively through FESTHOME from July 20, 2026, to January 8, 2027.

5.b Brazilian films may be submitted free of charge until December 15, 2026. From December 16, 2026, through January 8, 2027, a €5 submission fee will apply.

5.c International submission fees:

• Early Bird: Jul 20 – Sep 12: €12
• Regular: Sep 13 – Nov 20: €16
• Late: Nov 21 – Dec 14: €22
• Extended: Dec 15 – Jan 8: €30

5.d The film shall be submitted in the category corresponding to the country of the lead production company.

6. Eligibility

6.a Films with a maximum running time of 30 minutes, produced between January 2026 and January 2027, are eligible.

6.b International, Latin American, or Brazilian premieres are not required. However, preference will be given to films that have not previously screened in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

7. Official Selection

7.a Up to 800 minutes of programming will be selected for the Brazilian and International Competitions. Additional films may be invited to thematic or special programs with the filmmaker's/producer's consent.

7.b Brazilian films may also be considered for the First Frames Competition, reserved exclusively for debut directors. For this section, a 'first film' is defined as the director's first audiovisual work, regardless of genre or format. The Festival may request additional information to verify eligibility.

7.c The Official Selection will be announced by February 15, 2027.

7.d Decisions of the Selection Committee are final and not subject to appeal.

8. Screening Materials

8.a DCP is the preferred exhibition format. Technical specifications will be provided to selected films. Other digital formats, including H.264 files, may be accepted when required.

8.b Screening materials must be delivered by March 2, 2027.

9. Screening Rights

9.a By submitting a film, the entrant confirms that they hold all necessary copyrights and related rights.

9.b The Festival may use still images and excerpts of up to 3 minutes or 10% of the film's running time (whichever is shorter) solely for promotional and press purposes.

9.c No commercial screening will take place without the express authorization of the rights holder(s).

9.d Online screenings may take place after the Festival. Competition films are not eligible for online screenings. Non-competition films may be included only with the express authorization of the rights holder(s).

10. Jury and Awards

The Jury will consist of independent professionals from the film and visual arts industries.

Awards:

• National and International Grand Prizes (Brazilian and International Competitons): Qualification for the Academy Awards® in the Short Film category, in accordance with the rules of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility).

• Special Jury Prize (Brazilian and International Competitions).

• Best Director (Brazilian and International Competitions).

• Best Film – First Frames Competition.

• Special Jury Prize – First Frames Competition.

• Audience Awards: Panorama Carioca and Latin American Panorama.

• Additional awards may be offered by Festival partners and sponsors. Selected filmmakers will be informed in advance whenever participation requires any licensing or assignment of exhibition rights.

11. Data Protection

Personal data provided during submission will be used exclusively for Festival-related procedures and institutional communications, in accordance with applicable legislation.

14. Final Provisions

Submitting a film constitutes full acceptance of these Regulations. Any matters not covered herein shall be decided by the Festival Directors in accordance with internationally recognized film festival practices.