Following the success of its inaugural edition, CINEphil_101 International Philosophy Film Festival returns to Heraklion, Crete, for its second year, 3-10 May 2026. The festival's unique mission is to promote the ongoing dialogue between philosophy and contemporary cinema (screening films that explore, e.g., issues of idenity, ethics, consciousness, existence, freedom, etc.) but also to provide a live platfrom of exchange between filmmakers, academics, and the public.

In addition to its competition section of international feature films, the festival programme includes the Q&A screenings "Philosophers meet Film" and "Filmmakers meet the public", an animation section curated by the organizers of Animasyros festival, selected short films of the secondary school competition “Young Cine-philosophers”, as well as educational workshops and cultural events in the city of Heraklion and the archaeological site of Knossos.

We invite international filmmakers to submit fiction feature films that inspire philosophical reflection whether through theme, narrative or form. Films can only be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway, by 15 March 2026.

CINEphil_101 is organized by the Philosophy Department of the University of Crete and the not-for-profit cultural organization HE.art (Heraklion Art), in collaboration with the Cultural Conference Center of Heraklion.

Awards & Prizes

Jury Award for Best Feature Film

Audience Award for Best Feature Film

Rules & Terms

FILM SUBMISSION:
1. CINEphil_101 accepts only fiction feature films in the category of philosophical cinema.
2. Submitted films should be completed after 2021.
3. To submit a film to CINEphil_101 you must hold the ownership rights and/or have the permission of the rights holder to the film you are submitting.
4. Submitted films must have English subtitles.
5. Films can only be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.
6. The deadline for submission of films to CINEphil_101 is 15 March 2026.
7. The organizers of CINEphil_101 reserve the right to invite selected films to participate in the competition section of the Festival.

OFFICIAL SELECTION
1. Submitted films will be assessed on the basis of their artistic merit and their philosophical relevance or insight.
2. Successful submissions will be announced on 14 April 2026.
3. The organizers will notify only the entrants whose films have been shortlisted for screening to CINEphil_101.

SCREENING
1. CINEphil_101 will not pay screening fees.
2. The organizers may screen the selected films or parts of the selected films after the festival with no screening fees exclusively for education purposes or for publicity of CINEphil_101. Any other use of the films is subject to the prior consent of directors and producers.
3. The organizers may cancel at any time the event or change the event dates, if circumstances so require.

In submitting a film to CINEphil_101 you accept all the above Rules and Terms.

2 Reviews
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  • Pascal Tessaud

    thank you to have taken our film UNDER MY SKIN for the Opening night of your first edition ! Such a big honor and apparently the audience appreciated it !
    thank you
    Pascal Tessaud

    May 2025
    Helpful
  • Traccos Films

    Great communication! Bravo!
    A real festival — I’m sure it will be one of the best in the future!

    May 2025
    Helpful