🎬 ESTE FILM Festival 2026, June 3-7 | Sibiu, Romania

ESTE FILM Festival is an international film festival dedicated to contemporary cinema, emerging voices, and meaningful dialogue between filmmakers and audiences. Taking place in the historic city of Sibiu, the festival transforms cinemas and alternative venues into meeting points for bold stories, fresh perspectives, and cinematic discovery.

In 2026, ESTE FILM Festival celebrates 10 years of activity, strengthening its mission to support new talent and showcase films that challenge, inspire, and resonate beyond borders.

Why submit to ESTE FILM Festival?

• International visibility for your film in a curated festival context
• Carefully selected programs with a strong focus on author-driven cinema
• Q&A sessions, discussions, and audience engagement with filmmakers
• A warm, filmmaker-friendly atmosphere and an active cinephile community
• Screenings in top cultural venues in Sibiu, one of Romania’s most vibrant cultural cities

ESTE FILM Festival is more than a screening opportunity — it is a place where films are seen, discussed, and remembered.

🎓 International Student Short Film Competition 2026

This competition is dedicated to student filmmakers from around the world, offering a platform for short fiction films produced during film, visual arts, or media studies. The section highlights new voices and emerging cinematic language.

🇷🇴 National Short Film Competition 2026

The National Short Film Competition showcases the diversity and creativity of contemporary Romanian cinema, focusing on short fiction films by emerging and established Romanian filmmakers.

🗣️ The Audience Award is granted to one short film selected from all films screened in both competitions.

🤝 More than screenings

Beyond films, the festival offers dynamic discussions, panels, workshops, and networking opportunities through initiatives like LINE-UP — an international academy and gathering for festival professionals and cultural managers.
Expect inspiring Q&A’s with filmmakers, engaging debates around the stories on screen, live events, concerts, and community activities. Families and young movie lovers join in too — with dedicated programs for kids and teens that make cinema an adventure for all ages.

🎥 Submit your film and be part of ESTE FILM Festival 2026 — a festival that believes in cinema as a shared experience and in the power of new voices to shape its future.

Awards & Prizes

• Best International Student Short Film Award: €2,500*

• Best Romanian Short Film Award: €2,500

• Audience Award: €500**

*The festival covers the taxes required by Romanian law but does not assume responsibility for any additional taxes imposed by the winner’s country of residence.
**The Audience Award is granted to one short film selected from all films screened in both competitions.

No special mentions or additional awards will be granted within the competitions.

Rules & Terms

1. ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION RULES

• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SHORT FILM COMPETITION

The competition is open to students enrolled in a higher education institution (film, visual arts, media, etc.) from any country. Only films produced during studies are eligible.
Eligible films must be short fiction works with a maximum running time of 30 minutes. (Experimental or documentary shorts are not accepted.)
Films must have been produced between 2025–2026.
Films previously submitted to any edition of ESTE FILM Festival are not eligible.

Submissions must be made exclusively via FilmFreeway. The entry fee is specified on the platform and is non-refundable in case of withdrawal, cancellation, or incorrect/ineligible submission.

Early Bird Deadline: January 18, 2026 (€5 fee)
Regular Deadline: February 8, 2026 (€7 fee)
Late Deadline: March 1, 2026 (€10 fee)

These fees do not include any administrative charges applied by the submission platform.
Fee waivers may be granted upon special request (at the sole discretion of the Organizer).

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Applicants guarantee that they hold all rights to the film (image, music, actors, etc.).

• NATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION

The competition is open to Romanian filmmakers, whether professionals, students, or amateurs.
Eligible films must be short fiction works with a maximum running time of 30 minutes. (Experimental or documentary shorts are not accepted.)
Films must have been produced between 2025–2026.
Films previously submitted to any edition of ESTE FILM Festival are not eligible.

Submission is free of charge and must be made exclusively via FilmFreeway.

Submission deadline: March 1, 2026.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Submitters confirm that they hold all necessary rights to the film (including image, music, and performances).

2. SELECTION AND FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

Films must be available for screening in DCP format, with English subtitles.
The selection will be made by Călin Boto, film curator.
Applicants will be informed about the selection results by March 15, 2026 at the latest. Until this date, the festival team will not be able to respond to questions regarding the selection process.
Selected filmmakers will be notified by e-mail, and the final selection will be publicly announced.
Selected films cannot be withdrawn from the festival program after the official invitation has been accepted.
All preview copies and promotional materials of officially selected films may be made available in a private video library accessible to accredited industry guests attending the festival.
The final screening copy (DCP) must be sent by May 1, 2026.
If the submitter fails to meet this deadline, the Organizer reserves the right to reject the film and select another participant for the competition.
Each selected film will be screened once during the festival. Winning films will be screened additionally during the Awards Gala.
Submitters are not entitled to claim screening or rental fees for the exhibition of their films in a competitive context.
The organizers may request additional materials (stills, trailer, synopsis, artistic profile) for promotional purposes.

3. PRESS MATERIALS

Selected filmmakers must submit the following materials by April 1, 2026, and document proof that they are currently students:
- a minimum of 3 high-resolution stills from the film;
- a director’s photo;
- a document containing the synopsis, credit list, and information about festivals, nominations, and awards;
- the film poster (if available);
- a trailer or teaser (if available).

4. ACCOMODATION/ TRANSPORT/ ACCREDITATION AND ACCESS

All representatives of selected films will receive full accreditation.
The festival covers accommodation for up to 3 nights.
Depending on the annual budget, the festival may contribute to transportation costs for one representative of each selected film.

5. JURIES AND AWARDS

The International Competition will be evaluated by a jury of three international film professionals.
The National Competition will be evaluated by a jury of three professionals from the Romanian film industry.
The Audience Award will be granted based on audience votes during screenings.
Cash prizes will be transferred via bank transfer, in euros or the equivalent in RON at the National Bank of Romania exchange rate on the award date.
The prize for the International Competition will be granted based on a valid tax residency certificate (except for Romanian citizens).

6. PERSONAL DATA AND PRIVACY

The submitter consents to the processing of their personal data as described below.
The processing includes the data provided in the submission form. In addition to their own details, the submitter provides information about the director, writer, composer, and distributor. The submitter is responsible for obtaining consent from these persons and informing them of the purpose and data controller.
The personal data processed may include: name, company name, e-mail address, and phone number.
The Organizer may process personal data for the purpose of assessing the film’s eligibility for the festival, screening the film, identifying winners, granting awards, and sending information about future editions of ESTE FILM Festival and other related activities. This information is non-commercial in nature.
Providing personal data is voluntary, and the submitter has the right to access and correct their data.

7. FINAL PROVISIONS

Participation in the competitions implies full acceptance of these regulations.
The organizers reserve the right to modify the regulations, with any changes being publicly announced.