The 34th Curtas Vila do Conde – International Film Festival is calling for new short films (produced in 2025 or to be produced in 2026) up to 60 minutes in length. Eligible for submission are animations, documentaries, fiction films, experimental films and music videos, in film (16mm and 35mm) or digital (DCP or video files). The Festival is very competitive and each year awards are announced in thirteen (13) categories, five (5) of which are international.

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The MakeDox Creative Documentary Film Festival is calling for submissions to the 17th edition. Submission to the Festival is open to creative documentary films of all running times, topics, style and production technologies completed and/or publicly screened after 1 January 2024. MakeDox aims to promote creative documentary film production in North Macedonia and to support documentary storytelling in general. It focuses on creating a stimulating environment for the exchange of experience and knowledge of documentary creation and promotion of films with cinematographic quality, offering the creative point of view of an author, both in terms of content as well as in form.

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The 45th Uppsala Short Film Festival is calling for short films of all genres with a running time of no more than 40 minutes. Uppsala Short Film Festival is recognized by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which means that winning the international or national competition at the festival may qualify a film for Oscar consideration. The festival is also recognized by the European Film Academy and BAFTA. Screening at the festival qualifies Swedish short films for Guldbagge nominations. Films are submitted to either of the three competitive sections, awarding prize money amounting to more than 20,000 Euro.

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The BlueCat TV Writing Competition 2026 is looking for the very best of television writing. BlueCat has a long and distinguished history of discovering writers, introducing them to the film and television industry and launching their careers. There will be two winners (Hour Pilot and Half-Hour Pilot), each will win $2,000 and will be introduced to over four hundred literary managers and agents. Every writer will receive a written analysis of their pilot!

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The 16th Edinburgh Short Film Festival (ESFF) is open for entries. The call for 2026 is open for any form of short film, genre, budget, and technique, from any part of the world. The maximum duration for submitted films is 25 minutes including credits. The 16th edition of the Edinburgh Short Film Festival features international showcases, more short film screenings, trophies, cash prizes, and awards. Networking remains a strong focus this year.

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Animage — 16th International Animation Festival of Pernambuco is accepting submissions for 2026 and invites entries by filmmakers from around the world. The Festival includes Competitive and Non-competitive Screenings of national and international animation films, in addition to special sessions, feature films, masterclass, exhibition and animation workshops for both beginners, children and professionals. As part of the Animage competitive programs, trophies and prize money will be awarded in 2026. The best Feature, Short, Children’s Short and Brazilian short film will each be awarded with R$8,000.

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Quickdraw Animation Society (QAS) is accepting submissions to the 22nd GIRAF International Festival of Independent Animation. The organizers are looking for animation submissions, in all styles, genres, lengths, and mediums, to present to their audience in Calgary, Canada. Selected films for 2026 will be presented during GIRAF 22 and the best International and Canadian short film will be awarded.

Read more about GIRAF 22 – International Festival of Independent Animation on Contest Watchers.