RULES AND REGULATIONS
IX INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL DONA I CINEMA
MUJER Y CINE – WOMAN & FILM
1. OBJECTIVE
DONA I CINEMA promotes the creation of a dynamic space for audiovisual and social production, reflection, and research led by women and people with diverse gender identities. Its aim is to foster the visibility of their work, promote equal opportunities within the audiovisual sector, and contribute to the elimination of discriminatory practices in the film industry.
Within this framework, since 2011 the Dona i Cinema International Biennial – Woman & Film has been held as an international showcase dedicated to films made by women, including feature films, short films, documentaries, video art, and animation.
The 9th edition of the Biennial will take place in February 2027.
2. SECTIONS AND ELEGIBILITY
Works may be submitted to the following sections:
A. FEATURE FILM – FICTION
Fiction films with a minimum duration of 70 minutes.
B. FEATURE FILM – DOCUMENTARY
Documentary films with a minimum duration of 30 minutes.
C. SHORT FILM – FICTION
Fiction films with a maximum duration of 15 minutes.
D. SHORT FILM – DOCUMENTARY
Documentary films with a maximum duration of 30 minutes.
E. VIDEO ART
Experimental or video art works with a maximum duration of 15 minutes.
F. ANIMATION
Animated works of any duration.
General eligibility requirements:
• Works must be directed by one or more women (including cis and trans women, non-binary, gender-fluid, and other gender-diverse identities).
• Co-directions with cis men will not be accepted.
• Works must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022.
• Non-Spanish-language works must be subtitled in Spanish or English for the selection process.
3. TERRITORIAL AND TIME SCOPE
The call is international and open to works from any country without geographical restrictions.
Only works that meet the requirements established in these guidelines and fall within the specified production period will be considered.
4. SUBMISSIONS
Submission deadline
The final deadline for submissions is July 26, 2026.
The following submission periods and fees apply:
• Early Bird: May 4 – May 31, 2026
o Feature films: €5
o Short films, animation, and video art: €2
• Regular: June 1 – June 28, 2026
o Feature films: €7
o Short films, animation, and video art: €3
• Final: June 29 – July 26, 2026
o Feature films: €10
o Short films, animation, and video art: €5
Submission platforms
Submissions must be made through the following platforms:
• Festhome
• Movibeta
• FilmFreeway
Fee waiver or reduction
Filmmakers or production companies experiencing financial difficulties may contact the festival management to request a possible fee waiver or reduction. Each request will be assessed individually by the organization.
Submission validity
A submission will be considered valid only once all required information has been completed and the corresponding fee has been paid. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
5. SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Selection process
All submitted works will be evaluated by a Selection Committee appointed by the festival organization, based on artistic, technical, and thematic criteria aligned with the objectives of the Biennial.
The Committee’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Notification of results
The organization will notify both selected and non-selected works via email to the person responsible for the submission.
Notifications are expected to be sent during November 2026.
Failure to receive notification does not imply selection.
6. SELECTED WORKS AND MATERIALS
Selected works must provide, within the deadlines set by the organization, the following materials:
• Screening copy in digital format (MOV or MP4 H.264, Full HD 1080p, 3–6 GB, suitable for theatrical projection).
• Dialogue list in English or Spanish.
• Subtitle file in English (.srt).
• At least three stills and a poster in high resolution (300 dpi).
• Director’s photograph.
• A single dossier (PDF or Word) including: logline, synopsis, director’s bio-filmography, technical and artistic credits, and festival history.
• Indication of premiere status as of February 2027.
• Trailer (if available), via download link.
7. SCREENING RIGHTS AND MATERIALS
Submitters guarantee that they hold all necessary rights to the work or have obtained the authorizations required for participation.
The organization will not pay any fees for the selection, screening, or exhibition of the works.
Participants authorize the organization to publicly screen the selected works during the Biennial, as well as, optionally and with prior notice, in other cultural and outreach activities directly related to the festival.
This authorization is granted on a non-exclusive basis, without territorial limitation, and without financial compensation.
The organization will inform participants at all times of how their works are used, specifying the context, purpose, and scope of each screening, exhibition, or promotional use.
Additionally, excerpts of the works (including clips, stills, posters, or trailers) may be used exclusively for promotional purposes related to the festival and its activities.
Award-winning films may be programmed in the Palmarés Cycle, which will take place during the year following the Biennial as part of the festival’s outreach activities.
Selected works may also become part of the DONA I CINEMA audiovisual archive, exclusively for cultural, research, or non-commercial dissemination purposes.
Submitted copies will not be returned.
8. WITHDRAWAL OF WORKS
Once a work has been officially selected and confirmed, it may not be withdrawn from the festival program except in cases of duly justified force majeure accepted by the organization.
9. CHANGES OR FESTIVAL CANCELLATION
In the event of changes to the festival dates or cancellation due to circumstances beyond the organization’s control, participants will be notified as early as possible.
10. AWARDS AND JURY
The Biennial will grant one award per official competitive section.
No cash prizes will be awarded.
The jury will be composed of professionals from the audiovisual and cultural sectors. Its decision will be final and not subject to appeal.
11. ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES
Participation in this call implies full acceptance of these guidelines.
12. CONTACT
DONA I CINEMA
Directors: Giovanna Ribes & Deborah Micheletti
Email: mail@donaicinema.es
Phone: +34 963 349 684
Website: https://donaicinema.es/
