After the great success of the previous editions, of the Chameleon Film Festival is underway.

The Chameleon Film Festival – Visions from Contemporary Art was born from the initiative of a group of cinephiles, industry experts and cinematographic art enthusiasts who dream of a regeneration of the audiovisual market, increasingly incapable, especially in Italy, of giving space to independent products and of offering the general public works that can truly tell the story of contemporaneity.

If in the post-war period Italian Neorealism had started a real revolution, both in the specifics of the language and in the production methods, opening up for the first time to the consideration of reality as such, outside the artificial scenarios of prose theaters, the cinema of the last decades seems in some way to return to a rejection of reality, and, even more seriously, to succeed without returning to the confines of factories, but by cloaking itself in highly realistic photographic settings and characteristics that are only apparently inspired by reality.

With the obvious exception of a few, one has the impression of stagnating in the usual stories, the usual dialogues, the usual contrite emotions, without ever being able to see beyond. Can we perhaps think that only great events, be they wars or devastations of any kind, can be worthy of note for a cinema that intends to tell reality? Or is there also an ordinary, everyday reality, apparently immobile, but rich in nuances, contrasts and profound anxieties that deserve just as much attention? Where do those anxieties really come from? Are they simply an intimate effect of the economic-political order, or are there more hidden reasons that invade the psychic and spiritual sphere of the contemporary world? Which cinema, theater or literature really addresses these questions? How can we then describe this chameleon-like contemporaneity? The Chameleon Film Festival therefore aims to give space to those new authors who know how to tell glimpses of contemporary everyday life in their films, tearing the veil of appearances, of the obvious, of the already seen and the already said.

For the works presented in the Review Category there will be the possibility of obtaining an official critical review and an interview with the Director who will be given ample space on our website.

The works must necessarily be subtitled in English in the case of non-Italian productions. A jury of experts will view the films with a gaze free from the constraints of the market, from distribution impositions, from categories of thought, to reward the most deserving works and thus begin to form the Contemporary Library, a virtual audiovisual library that collects short films capable in some way of giving us an authentic and analytical image of the contemporary world.

Every month a winner will be announced for each category.
Our annual live screening event will be held on September 8, 2026.

The CFF will screen films, but the selection of a film will not imply its screening. The jury will choose the screening of the films based on their own criteria, always striving to distribute the largest number of films to the largest audience possible.

Best Future Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Leading Actor
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Soundtrack
Best Editing
Best Photography
Special Award of the Contemporary Critics
Chamaleon Special Award

The fifth edition of the Chameleon Film Festival – Visions from the Contemporary will be held monthly. We will announce the selected films and the winners at the end of each deadline on our official website and on FilmFreeway, sending official laurels and certificates. The Festival will conclude with an annual event with live screenings. The works invited to the screening will be required to provide: a high-resolution file of the film, synopsis, press material, photos and bio-filmography of the director, scene photos.

Works produced after January 1, 2022 are eligible, of any genre and theme (comedy, drama, horror, science fiction, fantasy, documentary) as long as they are relevant to the essential requirement of the Festival: the story of contemporary reality. No exclusives are requested.

Works that promote forms of racism, intolerance, pornography, political and religious propaganda will not be considered.

Feature films longer than 50 minutes, documentaries of any length and short films no longer than 30 minutes, including animated works, are eligible.

For the works presented in the Review Category there will be the possibility of obtaining an official critical review and an interview with the Director who will be given ample space on our website.

A jury of experts and enthusiasts will view the films with a gaze free from the constraints of the market, from distribution impositions, from categories of thought, to reward the most deserving works and thus begin to form the Contemporary Library, a virtual audiovisual library that collects short films capable in some way of giving us an authentic and analytical image of the contemporary world.

The works must necessarily be subtitled in English in the case of non-Italian productions.

​FOR THE SCREENPLAYS
1. All screenplays must be in Italian or English.
2. Multiple submissions from the same sender are accepted.
4. The decision of the festival selection jury will be final.
5. The screenplays presented must be original works of the participant and must not violate any copyright or other rights of third parties.

PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORY
Our Photography category is dedicated to photographic works that celebrate the world of cinema in all its forms. We welcome images inspired by the genres Comedy, Horror, Drama, Documentary, Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Animated, capable of capturing in a single frame the emotion, storytelling, or visual style linked to cinematic imagination.
Photos may be conceptual, narrative, or stylized, as long as they clearly evoke the spirit of the chosen genre. Whether illustrating dramatic tension, paying homage to classic horror, portraying a fantasy world, or bringing an animated universe to life, each image must carry visual strength and a genuine connection to the art of cinema.
Both original and unpublished works and previously submitted projects are accepted, as long as the authors hold full rights to their work.

SOUNDTRACK CATEGORY
Our Soundtrack category is dedicated to the evocative power of music in the cinematic world. We welcome original compositions inspired by one or more film genres — Comedy, Horror, Drama, Documentary, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Animated — capable of telling a story, evoking emotions, or creating cinematic visions through sound alone.
Soundtracks can be created for existing films, imagined ones, or stand-alone pieces inspired by a specific cinematic mood or emotion. Submissions will be judged based on stylistic coherence, narrative ability, originality, and expressive strength.
Both instrumental and vocal tracks are accepted, as long as the authors hold full rights to the music submitted.

The submission of works implies acceptance of the Regulations. The decisions of the Festival Management and the Jury will be final. All registrations must be paid through the FilmFreeway platform. Fees are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ottimo festival. Funziona tutto alla perfezione. Notare anche la rapidità e la professionalità dello staff di comunicazione.

    October 2025
    Response from festival:

    Grazie di cuore per le sue parole!
    Siamo felici che l’esperienza al Chameleon Film Festival sia stata positiva e che abbia apprezzato la nostra organizzazione e il lavoro del team comunicazione.
    Continueremo a impegnarci con passione per offrire un festival sempre più curato e accogliente per tutti gli autori. A presto!

  • Robert Hammond

    Our film, American Orthodox won Best Documentary at Chameleon Film Festival. Great festival and professional staff. Glad to be a part of this event.

    September 2025
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for your kind words and congratulations again on your well-deserved award!
    We’re honored to have had *American Orthodox* among our selections — a powerful and thought-provoking documentary.
    It was a true pleasure to have you as part of the Chameleon Film Festival, and we look forward to seeing more of your work in the future!

  • Lynda Simmons

    We were thrilled to learn that our short film Ed & Alfie was an Official Selection of the Chameleon Film Festival. Having them label it 'an international gem' made it that much better. Still quoting it every chance I get. Thank you!

    August 2025
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, we are really proud to have had your film within our festival, you have inspired us and continue to do so.

  • Thank you so much to include my short film "The Silence within /(Lautlos)" in your festival.

    August 2025
    Response from festival:

    Thank you! We're truly grateful to have you at our festival. Congratulations on your fantastic work!

  • Ian Scheller

    We are honored to be included in the Chameleon Film Festival - thank you!

    December 2024
    Response from festival:

    Grazie mille, siamo noi ad essere onorati!