Get ready for an exciting celebration of emerging European cinema! The FilmEU Film Festival 2026 brings together the freshest and most exciting student films from across the FilmEU alliance - an association of eight leading higher education institutions from all corners of Europe, dedicated to reimagining the future of film and media education:
- Lusófona University (Portugal),
- LUCA School of Arts (Belgium),
- VIA University College (Denmark),
- IADT - Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire (Ireland),
- TLU - Tallinn University – Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (Estonia),
- VŠMU - Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (Slovakia),
- NATFA - National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts “Krastyo Sarafov” (Bulgaria),
- LMTA - Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania).

Building on the successful initial edition in Sofia 25, this second FilmEU Film Festival features selected works from FilmEU universities and programs, including the Erasmus Mundus Joint Ma/BA and Challenge Films. Expect powerful stories that reflect FilmEU’s shared values: creativity, innovation, sustainability, diversity, openness, and collaboration.

The program offers a curated selection that highlights the best of student filmmaking across Europe - short, sharp, and thought-provoking films that reveal the pulse of a new generation of storytellers in a turbulent world.

The festival is part of the FilmEU Summit 2026, taking place in Brussels, Belgium, hosted by LUCA School of Arts. Join us from June 23rd to 25th for three days of screenings and community discovering at authentic and inspiring cinema locations. The festival opens on June 23rd with a vibrant kick-off event and continues with a program that invites audiences to discover the next voices in European cinema at these venues.

Awards & Prizes

Main Award for The Best Film
Special mentions
Audience prize

Rules & Terms

Eligibility & Submissions:

We welcome films created by students only from 8 FilmEU Universities, its programs and their partner’s institutions, including:
- EMJM (Kino Eyes, DocNomads DocNomads Plus, RE:Anima, FilmMemory, REPLAY, ReSound) and Pathfinder Joint BA Films (FilmEU),
- Annual Challenge Films (FilmEU),
- Partner's universities: SUMDU - Sumy State University (Ukraine), I. K. Karpenko - Kyiv National I.K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University (Ukraine), SAFAA - State Academy of Fine Arts of Armenia, Yerevan (Armenia), YSITC - Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography (Armenia).

To be eligible for the competitive sections, films must have had their first public screening on or after January 1, 2024.

Categories:
-Documentary
- Fiction
- Animation
- Experimental
All films will resort under one selection and awarding body for all categories.

Screening Format Accepted formats:
DCP

Language requirements:
All films must be screened in their original language with English subtitles.

Accepted length:
maximum 30 minutes

Submission Guidelines:
If your film is selected for the competition, you must provide:
- A trailer via a non-expiring online link or in HD resolution.
- Localization materials (English dialogue list, spotting list, screener, and poster artwork).
- Digital delivery of all materials via email to film.festival@filmeu.eu (subject line: Film Title – Local & English Title).
- If the director of the film is unable to attend the screening, please submit a brief video presentation to be shown prior to the film.

Note:
*The festival does not accept physical deliveries (e.g., hard drives, USBs).
*Any missing requirement will lead to disqualification.

Selection Process:
Final selections will be made by the FilmEU Selection Committee. The Selection Committee is composed of representatives from FilmEU Universities, with each university nominating two members.

Attending the FilmEU Film Festival:
If your film is selected it is expected that the director can attend the FilmEU Film Festival in Brussels from 23-25th June.

By submitting your work you certify that you hold necessary rights for its presentation at the FilmEU Film Festival.

For any further questions, please contact us at film.festival@filmeu.eu.